Transplants

[hopiangel]

Has anyone here known anybody or had a transplant themselves?  My 35 yr.old nephew has been told that he will have to have a transplant if things get worse and that's happening now.  What options are open if waiting for a liver is not what he wants to do? He just doesn't want to wait around and waste the rest of his life maybe waiting for a liver. It probably will come to that, but is there anything else??????????? I'd appreciate input if anybody has info that relates. This nephew is very special to me and my husband, we are devastated because we got by with TX for 6 months and "got well."  We've lived our lives but he's just too young to face all this trauma in life yet.....I want to know also the odds of surviving a transplant at his age. I'd appreciate any help.  Thanks, **Hopiangel**

[cindee]

Hopiangel, I don't know much about liver transplants, but I do know that Prayer works...I will lift your nephew up to God in my prayers tonite. Much love, Cindee

scooz, Wow what a wonderful testimonial. Sounds like you've really kicked "dragon butt". I wish you the best of health and to remain CLEAR for the rest of your life!!!! Sincerely, Cindee

Scott, Hey, I haven't talked to you in a while. I hope you are feeling good these days. I admire your words of wisdom and I always look forward to reading your posts. You have been a God send to alot of us here. You are so well informed...I wish we could "copy and paste" your knowledge into my brain! Thanks for always sharing your information with me. Much love and many prayers, Cindee

[new-sojourn]

I went thru a different tunnel-kinda white-b/I was turned around and sent back!  I decided my chances were slim to none.  I reached transplants, life on the waiting lst, my REAL chances w/no insurance.  Liver transplants are so common now, few are comp't any more.  My blood type O neg.  Knowing I would be way down on any list, having to relocate to a big city, undergo all that testing, having to justify past behavior-esp since I'm a transfused vic-and take only 'approved' drugs seemed like death to me.

I chose to tx and stay home to either live or die.  Imkindly pointed out that 18 people a day die on the waiting list.  The average wait is 23+MO.  I am so greatful I was able to tx and cl.
My 'incident' was almost 30mo ago, so I beat all the odds so far-varicies mortality rate is 50+% within 2 yrs of 1st incident.  Transplant list is 23+mo, w/25+% mortality.  Liver failure is within days or weeks,uncontrolable bleeding due to non-existant clotting factors is real quick.

B/here I am.  Healthier than I've been in yrs.  The mental change is the most remarkable.  The severity of the 'hepatic encephalopathy' completely altered my personality.  My step bro has brain tumors and once when I was explaining the returning mental facilities, he said "At least your mind is coming back!"  Another reason to feel lucky!

I think that 'hepatic encephalopathy' is the most overlooked sx of hepatitis.  I can kinda monitor it by watching protein consumtion. Usually, when I can't remember phone #'s, I go veggie for a few days.

[mikesimon]

I thought you'd have your 1 year pcr by now. Let us know when you get it because I'm rooting for you big time. I too was out of the hospital in 5 days. That's not typical but they do like to get you out of there if all goes well to minimize the risk of infection. I got mine in Pittsburgh and Karen drove me in early afternoon. We were going through the Fort Pitt tunnel at around 1:30 pm on Friday. The following Wednesday we were coming home and going through that same tunnel at 2:30 pm and I couldn't believe I had another man's liver. It seemed like just yesterday when we were going into Pittsburgh. Of course I was anesthetized for most of Saturday so I wasn't conscious for the whole 5 days. It was almost sureal. Good luck Steve. Mike

[new-sojourn]

i never thought you were serious and i, too, am amazed at a 5 day recovery.  I also thought that the news that the standards for donor livers have been lowerd and that the allocation is unfair, favoring the less sick b/connected and rich is disturbing.  doc C on his web site clearly states that one's best chance @ a transplant is to be healthy w/great insurance and resources.  Altho I always kinda beleived him, I was still a little shocked and disappointed to find out he's right.

[couchpotato]

Yeah, that's it in a nutshell. We both sound like we are in very loving relationships, that man is my right arm and I would lay down my life for him, as he would for me. The thought of losing him paralizes me, but, we will trudge through the difficult times as we have the good, and with alot of trust and faith we will both survive. In the past 6 years we have lost his father, my father, our best friend and then my mom 3 months before getting his diagnosis, to say we have been through the ringer is an understatement. So, we have many angels on our shoulders to help carry our burdens, and it is of some comfort to me. (course, I would give anything to be able to whine and cry to my "mommy" at times!) LOL. Good luck to you and your husband, honey, and yes, you can make it. One day at a time, right??  Couch

[honey1616]

I will be thinking of both of you guys on that date because I know how scary this can all be and overwhelming at times!  Great question....And I am like you if possible if I could clear and my hubby couldn't...I would do same also as I know he would for me.  I guess it all depends if you guys are a match for each other, blood work and all.. Some days I feel on top of world and some days...I wonder how I am going to get through the rest of this year!  I had a bad one awhile back,,,just one of those days...headache constant, and feeling depressed and told My husband that night,,,,I don't think I can make it through the rest of year.  His words...You will make it and so will I as we both will Carry each other if need be to the Finish Line!  Couch...I cried that night out of happiness that the support is so strong so in a nutshell...I know exactly what you mean about donating part of liver and I think of you both so often knowing exactly how hard it can be at times!!  My prayers are with you both!!