Hi, @phillydawg. You have had quite an interesting year, haven't you? I know that you are happy and worried at the same time. My transplant was in April 2009 at Mayo Rochester, and I remember clearly how I felt while waiting for lab results and hoping for the phone call to let me know that it was time for my transplant. I do hope that your results next week are going to be favorable.
Prior to my transplant, my husband and I stayed at the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester MN for several months, and so I was able to ride the patient shuttle to the hospital to check in for my surgery after my phone call. I went imediately registered and checked in at the Liver transplant Dept. I was prepped and my husband was able to be with me when until I was rolled to surgery. My surgery went well, and the next day, I was rolled to a room in the ICU for observation until I was taken - in a wheelchair- to my hospital room where I spent 7 days. On the morning after surgery, I could eat a light breakfast. And the nurses helped me out of bed to begin walking! During those days in hospital I became stronger and the nurses taught me and my husband everything that I needed to know and before discharge. I did need a walker and a wheelchair because I had to use a walker and wheelchair prior to transplant due to my weakness and health prior to my surgery.
After discharge from inpatient care, we returned to the Gift of Life House via a taxi, and my husband pushed me inside in a wheelchair. I began gaining strength and was soon using walker most of the time. By the time I was discharged from outpatient care, I was walking pretty much on my own. That was 30 days after my surgery. Then we had a 850 mile drive back to our home in Kentucky. On that trip home, I was able to stay in a motel, and to eat in a restaurant. I slept most of the way home, though.
Once at home, I gradually increased my walking time and distance,and I got tired easily. Mostly, I had to regain my stamina, muscle mass, and weight. In July I was able to be at our son's wedding! and in November, after my 5 month check-up, I was approved to go hiking, but still lacking stamina which took a bit longer.
As you already know, each patient is different, and I need to add that I had been flown to Mayo out of ICU in KY in late Feb with acute kidney failure in addition to my need for my liver transplant. When I received my liver and kidney transplant in April, I had a lot of catching up to do.

@phillydawg, I think that you will want to want to join these discussions, where some of the recent transplant patients/members are sharing their more recent experiences.
- It's just one of those days: Share your transplant recovery tips
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/its-just-one-of-those-days/
- How to Sleep Post Liver Transplant in Initial 30-Day Recovery?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-sleep-post-liver-transplant-in-initial-30-day-recovery/
Please click the link, and read what others have experienced. Your questions are welcomed, and anytime you want to direct a comment or question to a particular member - use their @name.
Hope the labs go well. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.