still confused

doc.I recently wrote because I was confused about my meld score going lower and to be honest I still don't get it?
my meld was over 20 I was recently put in the hospital and it jumped to 22-24 since leaving the hospital I feel sicker
than I did before but now I'm told my meld score went to 13 and it is staying there.......what does this mean? my transplant nurse tells me I am just one of those people that is sicker than my meld score....that doesn't compute to me...I went from being on the top of the top ten for transplant to now just being listed..and am told I will not get transplanted with that low a score....does this mean I am not as sick as previously thought did my liver fix itself to some degree my transplant nurse also told me that since taking care of myself no alcohol that my liver has settled
in to that meld score whatever that means I also asked about weight because I was gaining weight and concerned about gaining to much and not getting transplanted!you told me I better hope the weight gain was from ascites but it's not...I used to swell but since getting out of the hospital I haven't been retaining fluid I only had to get my abdomine drained once in the last year
it is my understanding you can't cure cirhosis and it will get worse so should I be happy my numbers are so much  better or would I be kidding myself to think I am not as sick as I once was? because I sure feel like I was  could you please help me understand this also you suggested a living doner thats not possible I don't have an extended family to try to find a match from thankyou very much

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

unfortunately the MELD system does not benefit all patients equally, even though this is the fairest system that we have had. many people are in fact sicker than their MELD.  If a live donor is not available, sometimes the transplant program can appeal to the regional review board for extra MELD points.  Liver disease can often improve with sobriety.  Almost all patients with cirrhosis will eventually need a transplant.  They are always at risk for liver cancer even if their MELD scores improves. I think that the longer you can go without needing a transplant is in your best interest, even though you may not being well.