Mikesimon's Thread

[mikesimon]

I have been coming here 4 years or so and I don't think I've ever started a thread. But, since I am going through this little drama and so many of you seem interested I thought it would be better to have a place where you can find out what's going on with me. To summarize my situation: I have a transplanted liver I got in June 2000. Recently I have had significant reduction in my FK dose whic ic my primary anti rejection drug. My enzymes started an upward trend aqbout 1 month ago and htis past Friday I had a biopsy. Monday I and my transplant surgeon and a liver pathologist will review the biopsy slides and decide how to treat. It sure looks like rejection and if it is there are 3 possible treatments. 1) FK dose adjustment 2) some kind of mild steroid treatment 3) an intravenous injection of a gram of steroid named Solumedrol(they call this a "blast"). This last option flattens the immune response thereby halting the cellular rejection immediately. I had 2 or 3 of these right after transplantation. Blasts shock the liver and the pancreas and I suspect that my diabetes can partially be attributed to the blasts. So my insulin requirements will increase significantly for a week or so and then hopefully settle down. Well, that's it and I want to thank all of you again for being there. Mike

[Drarig]

Mike, Best of luck -- after reading many of the threads, it sounds like you've been through alot.  I hope everything works out for you.

[amommy]

You are in my thoughts and prayers.  I hope you are feeling OK and can spend some time with your family this weekend.  I will be thinking of you, particularly on Monday.  Lots of us will be waiting for an update.

[dyce]

Thanks for the update on your condition mike, never heard of the steroids before . I'm sure your under the best of care !

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Mike, I will be thinking about you and sending good thoughts your way.  Good luck on Monday - I am sure you will make the best possible decision.  Thanks for posting, please keep us posted on how you do.

[Bill1954]

Mike;

Thanks for opening a thread for us. As you well know, we all learn from others experiences in here. You

[honey11]

Mike,,,,Do something special this weekend for yourself!! Everyone loves mikesimon so you are at the right spot for support!  This has been a crazy past few days and very worrisome,,,,in fact can't think of a time that we all here at medhelp went through this except the time with Couch and her hubby!  Look how that turned out!  Great so I think this will all be the same and my prayers are with you! ((((hugs))))