This thread definitely hit a chord with me. I've been in the process for about ten months. Individually, the transplant coordinator and secretary are very nice and friendly. However, I'm having some trouble with communications. I presented to the transplant center as a non-directed donor candidate and, after an initial battery of medical testing, the center referred me to an NGO (non-governmental organization) in my area that helps match up donor candidates with recipient candidates. Eventually, the NGO matched me up with a very nice, medically-suitable recipient.
The problem is, I never know whom to contact. My calls and e-mails to personnel at the transplant center are usually ignored (or, at least, I rarely get any response to them; it may well be that the staff do act upon what I send them). Sometimes, I get answers to my questions about scheduling appointments, etc., not from the transplant center personnel to whom I initially directed them, but from my intended recipient, or from the director of the NGO. Even that doesn't necessarily upset me, but I'm never sure to whom to address my questions. I am inclined to believe that a lot of the problem is overworked staff, and can forgive a lot--as Phil pointed out, they've got lots on their plates. Still, after reading this thread, I think I'll try to establish some standard operating procedures to replace the seemingly haphazard manner in which things are moving. So, Rick (and the others), I hope this at least helps place things in perspective. You all are clearly not alone.
It may be just part of this high-pressure, high-workload organizational beast, but it's definitely worth following the suggestions offered earlier in this thread to politely, patiently, request some help in working through the system. Hang in there! Snoopy