Are there any other pre-liver transplant caregivers out there?

@chevynova67 ...where are you doctoring? I know from what I have read that Mayo does accept Medicaid. When we did our initial work-up we met with a finance person who will explained it all to us.

I know some places do have age limits for living donors. Also, how does your son feel about being his donor? Our daughter spoke up immediately after hearing her dad needed a transplant, but our son is very apprehensive. He's going to be 25 on Saturday, and we have left the decision totally up to him. My husband hates the thought of our kids doing this for him, but will accept the gift.

Prayer has been a great source of strength for me and I am finding lots of support on here. Virtual hugs to you!! Stay strong....you can do this!

Oh wow....Alaska. Hmmmmm.....Does the doctor's office you go to or the hospital have a social worker? If so, he or she would be a great resource for you.

Yea we are with providence. I talked to her during his detox but it was bad timing as he was in the middle of ripping his IV’s out. I never even thought about getting one here. Thought it had to be at the place of transplant. I will definitely look into that tomorrow or we’ll later today since it’s almost 530.. thank you! Btw my name is Lindsay

Hi Lindsay, my name is JoDee. 🙂
It doesn't hurt to ask. She can give you information and point you in the direction you need to go. Best of luck to you!!

I've heard that some people are uncomfortable with living donors but I haven't heard why, do you know why your husband is opposed to it? Is it because it's a family member or would he feel the same about any living donor?
I donated a kidney to a stranger (I know her now!) almost 3 weeks ago. Everyone has a different experience but this was very easy for me. The 2 full days of evaluation testing at Mayo was harder on me than the actual surgery. I was in the hospital for less than 30 hours and went back to a limited work schedule yesterday.
I may have this wrong but I thought a nurse told me that for the donor, a liver grows back to its full size within about 6 weeks, Would your husband feel better about a live donor with that knowledge? I don't know if this site does private messages but if your husband (or son) want to talk to me about how I felt being a living donor, I would be happy to talk with either or both.

@mauraacro my husband doesn't like the thought of our kids or me having a surgery that isn't medically necessary for us. If something were to happen he'd never forgive himself. Also, the thought of someone else's body part in him creeps him out. Ha ha He is getting over this, though.

My husband received a kidney from our brother-in-law (unrelated) in 2012. Our BIL felt that he was put on earth to give that kidney to my husband. Psychological evaluation is mandatory for any donor, as it should be. Any apprehension or sense of obligation are red flags that that person should not be a donor.

My husband's kidney function was monitored so that when it came to the time he would otherwise have started dialysis, the transplant was performed. There is considerable advantage in that accommodations can be arranged for both parties at the transplant center, as well as having things like pets and kids cared for at home.

That's a good point about the surgery fear. It's not medically necessary for you but it is for him. I went in with complete faith in my surgeon but the actual surgery is the part that made me the most nervous. If this helps, Mayo will not let someone donate if they deem the risk too high for the donor. There is a whole separate team of doctors, nurses and advocates just for the donor and much of the testing is done to determine your risk and to make sure you have as much information as you need to make a decision. They almost go so far as trying to talk you out of donating to make sure that you don't feel any pressure to follow through after you have all of the info. At any point, up to wheeling you into surgery, the donor can back out.
I'm pretty sure the body part would also creep me out if I thought about it too much but I focused on the amazing process of transplants. The technology, education and skill that got us to the point that transplants can not only be done but are so successful is fascinating to me. I spent some time in the different museums and to see how far things have come is awe inspiring.
My recipient and I are almost complete opposites on paper. We joked about how my kidney may be intimidated by her extensive education or that she may have sudden cravings for snickerdoodles but so far, none of that's happened. I clean out cupboards and closets when I'm bored, she was hoping to acquire that too but no luck so far.

I went through the donor eval, so I know what you mean! My husband joked with me that they need to quit reminding me that I can change my mind. Lol

I have total faith in everyone at Mayo. They are the best in the world for a reason!

@jodeej, I want to send you my prayers as you and your dear husband begin this journey.
Yes, overwhelming is a good word to describe the feelings and emotions that you both must be feeling-that is what my husband and I experienced.
I am happy that you have already discovered the Gift of Life House! My husband and I called the GOL our home in Rochester from late Feb - mid May in 2009. It is a place of peace and healing, and when there, you are never alone!
Love and support and hope are most evident within those walls. And the memories are within me even now, almost 9 years later.

I am going to be completely truthful by telling you that the stress and worry are going to be with you. The unknowing, I think, is the most difficult. The best planning is to talk, talk, talk to each other and share your fears and your prayers and your tears. Our friends thought that we were brave, but they did not see us holding on to each other crying together. In my situation, I became very critical, and we never gave up hope because our doctors and our nurses, our entire medical team remained dedicated to taking care of me in preparation for getting a successful transplant.

Please feel free to ask me any thing at all. I will share from my own experience when I am able.
Rosemary