@kimestes I went back and read your previous posts and I want to say how sorry I am that you had to go through all you have been through. No child should have to go through that and for sure it would cause battle scars. I hope in time those scars will heal completely.

Your MELD is pretty low so I presume you will not yet be a candidate for transplant. In the meantime try to take the best possible care you can of yourself. It's great that you are now getting exercise. I always have hated exercise but I am forcing myself to do it these days. I am post-transplant 4+ years. I know I need to maintain a decent weight and I have gained since the pandemic began so I am exercising and trying hard to exercise some self-control over eating. I started exercising when I realized I would eventually be having major surgery. I knew that the better shape I was in, the better my recovery would be, and I had an amazing recovery. I wish the same for you if/when you eventually qualify for a transplant.

The exercise bike is a great exercise to start with, as is walking. Both are things that you can start at your own pace and gradually increase the effort and length of time. I really push myself when I take walks and am doing a bit over 3 miles an hour and generally walk just over a half mile. Not impressive for many people but it is for me, plus I am short so I need to take more steps! I have an activity monitor so I have goals set there and that spurs me on. I strive to meet my goals each day.

Other than fluid retention, what other symptoms are you experiencing from cirrhosis? I had lowering platelet counts, very shaky hands, and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) episodes, plus some other vague symptoms. The HE episodes were what brought my problem to a head.

I hope your appointment on the 28th goes well and that you will tell us how it went, and keep us abreast on how you are doing.
JK

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