Thanks, overall I am holding up good. I guess my concern with the MELD is because in my eyesight and caring for him is a transplant really needed at this time. We were told the transplant will probably be around November of this year. I didn't mention in original post that he was treated for Liver Cancer this year. Maybe that's what upped the meld score. I love reading your post and thoughts. I log on everyday to read your advise to others. Such a sweet and wonderful person.

@rosemary So typical of you to show such compassion. I absolutely love your very informative links. Even more so your concern for others well being.

I hope that my experience can help someone else.
I would have loved to have a group like this when I was going thru the transplant waiting and accompanying symptoms and declining health. It can be a frightening time, and a lonely time because of the emotional, physical, and spiritual struggles involved.

I am 9 years post transplant, and I continually learn and gain support/inspiration when I read about all of our amazing members.
Has there ever been such a show of support and strength and hope among 'strangers' anywhere?

@rosemarya i have been following this MAYO Clinic site for a while now. I am from Canada - London Ontario, and have not found anything similar here. I have found the members here to be informative, caring and honest in their posts. I have found a lot of comfort as i have no one here i know to discuss issues and experiences with. I thank you all. My MELD has been stable at 27 for over a year and have been on our wait list 1 year. Praying that my day will come soon.

@gaylea1 Is it possible to start something like this through the Transplant network in your country? Maybe you can get some ideas on "how to" from Mauo Connect moderators. You will know who they are by their title that is listed under their profile picture. I'm sure those of us who believe in prayer will keep you in our prayers.

@beckyjohnson thank you for the great idea. I will have to liaise with my coordinator on this. I appreciate your prayers. There is s lot of power in prayer.

@gaylea1 , I am happy that you are finding some comfort during this difficult time of waiting for your transplant. I am a liver/kidney recipient (2009) and I clearly remember that time in my life.

I live in central US and even though I am surrounded by many acquaintances who are involved in medical fields, very few had any experience with serious liver disease, much less liver failure-transplant. My friends and family were in denial until I showed the jaundice!
It can be a lonely time/place. My best support (other than my husband) was a friend who is a nurse with some experience with transplants. She understood, and she was able to talk to me openly and honestly.

When I returned back home after my transplant. I needed someone to talk to about living with my transplanted organ and that is when I found Mayo Connect. I want you to know that you are welcome to drop in anytime, even if you just want to pass time. Here is a good place to fight boredom! - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/this-and-that-and-talk-my-transpant/

Here are a couple of interesting articles from the Transplant Pages https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/tab/newsfeed/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/liver-transplant-patients-can-avoid-costly-stay-in-icu-after-surgery/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/frailty-what-is-it-and-how-can-it-affect-patients-with-cirrhosis/
I look forward to hearing more from you. What do you do to pass the time?
Rosemary

@hogan_g1937 I too was not physically sick until very shortly before I was transplanted. I did have occasional bouts with HE, but other than that my only problem was when I was taking lactulose it made me feel very nauseated, and of course I had the very smelly bowel movements and gas from it.
Liver cancer does add points to your MELD score, I had that also.
I was also told by my hepatologist's NP that it would be at least November before I was called, but I was called on September 22, transplanted on the 23rd.
I hope your husband does get the call sooner than November. It is such an incredibly wonderful feeling to wake up and feel the worse is behind you. Sure, there is discomfort following surgery, but you know that is temporary.
I will be thinking of you and looking forward to hearing when your husband gets "the call".
JK

@rosemarya thank you for your kind support. I hope your post transplant life is going well. To pass the time, because I can't drive now and am somewhat isolated, I watch Netflix and Britbox. I also play the piano, colour, and have started with diamond paintings. I read quite a bit too. I'm hoping living in the now will teach me patience. Will be posting when I finally get the surgery.

@gaylea1 I can't guarantee that this experience will teach you patience, but it will give you a new appreciation for the simple things in daily life (after your transplant). I used to like to do puzzles, but as my symptoms got too bad, I could not sit at the table to do them for very long. I even found the laptop to be too heavy for my lap (think of a 2008 model) and I was too exhausted to use it anyway.

Are you able to still enjoy the piano? I play violin, and years before my transplant I loaned it to my sis-in-law. After my transplant my brother brought it to me and I started playing again. I've been at it for around 5 years, and I am enjoying it very much.
Life is very good for me, and I credit that to a healthy lifestyle pre and post transplant, along with healthy genes.

I have never heard of diamond paintings. What is that?
Have you thought about keeping a journal during this time of waiting?

Rosemary