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

[MajNeni]

Hi, Mike,
I got tipped off to look here... Lordy, Lordy, Mike, you do things in a big way, Friend.  You helped me enormously over the years, especially through my tx; I was one of the lucky ones, my last round.  You gave me enormous encouragement, and lots of good info and advice.  I hope my holding you in the Light now contributes to all your friends doing likewise, so that you can bounce back soon, so I can just cajole you about rowdy biking and helmets and SMOKING... a lot of people love you and need you.  Our turn to vigil with you, bro.  Thanks for keeping folks posted.
Maj Neni

[beamishboy]

what can i say/repeat? this too shall pass..i hope that All goes well...GoodLuck friend.

[lilmoma]

Thank you for starting that thread, it did make it easier for me to follow. I am easily confused these days, and I am afraid sometimes I may mix-up one persons story for another. I am sorry if I ever did that to you.
I am sooooo sorry you have to go through so much, I am also shocked, cuz you dont complain. You are such an upbeat person, I really admire that about you. Now I doublby admire you, your plate is so full, and your feeling guilty we might feel bad for you. My sunday school class WILL have you on their prayer list, your on mine as well.
I pray everything goes as you hope.
Keep us updated,....all the time.
lilmoma

[kennedge]

my friend

you are a tuff one. i have the best thoughts and wishes going your way.

ken

ps stay off the scooter

[cquest]

Sorry to hear about your troubles dude...I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Here I sit feeling crappy and wishing my body was normal again when I should really be happy things aren't worse now shouldn't I?
Cin

[mikesimon]

I may be an eternal optimist but I don't think my situation is such a big deal. Of course I am concerned, but once the biopsy was done it was a great relief. The people I see are not overly concerned and they seem to believe I'll be back on track soon. I think I will be too. I don't mean to suggest that I haven't been pretty wound up about this but I am the kind of guy that need direction and immediate action. Once we got started I felt pretty relaxed and confident about things. So, while I really appreciate more than I can express the concern from you guys, I fell a little guilty becasue I am not really in that bad shape or in that dangerous territory - at least I sure hope I'm not. You guys are really great.  Mike