Connect
← Return to Cirrhosis of the Liver: What to expect when waiting for a transplant?
Discussion
Cirrhosis of the Liver: What to expect when waiting for a transplant?
Transplants | Last Active: Aug 16, 2023 | Replies (104)Comment receiving replies
Thanks for your reply. I am going to Mayo JAX 11/16 and 11/17 for tests, radiology and transjugular biopsy. While I do not have the more serious symptoms associated with cirrhosis, I DO have occasional slight dizziness and a marked increase in pain right in the middle of the chest in my sternum. I know that my liver is enlarged and perhaps this pain is associated with that. I went from being fat my whole life, to metabolic syndrome, to diabetes, to fatty liver, to NASH and now cirrhosis. In addition to the fear, I have a great deal of guilt and self-castigation about my situation. I feel like the guy who smoked 4 packs of cigarettes for 60 years and gets lung cancer. I have a counselor who keeps telling me that I must not look back and must move forward to further diagnosis and treatment. But I cannot seem to stop thinking like this. I basically feel that this is a self-inflicted wound and that nothing can change that fact. I am 70 years old and live alone. So, I have no support at all. And that doesn't help things. I know that there is nothing you can do about what I have said here. But you asked me and I have laid it out here how I am feeling. Thanks.
Replies to "Thanks for your reply. I am going to Mayo JAX 11/16 and 11/17 for tests, radiology..."
@jazzmanfla I agree with @ken82. I apprecaite it is dificult but try to focus on any positive aspect of your life. My husband is an accute cirrhosis patient - alcohol induced. We've been through a very dificult 4 years of him developing large volume ascites, HE, seiure, varices, some malignancy in his liver which thankfully seems to have subsided after one radiation therapy. He also deeloped both umbilical and inguinal heria. teh latter which is very uncomfortable and cannot be repaired until he gets a new liver becaue of his ascites. He used to be a very active and physically fit person but the hernia stops him from even basic walking exercises. However we try to stay positive and focus every day on the good things we do have in our lives - family, a roof over our heads, food on the table, easy access to nature and medical treatment available to us. It's tough living alone but try to find comfort in music which today is wonderfully aviailable to us as no cost through Spotify, Soundcloud, MixDJ, Youtube etc. so many music Apps! We are in our 70's and when I feel down, music is a huge help. My husband ops for a good movie or education documentary which again are so easily available. I see your post is from November (I have just joined this group), but hope that you have been able to find comfort through something which you love.
Hi, I too am feeling great discuss in myself. I would say that I am fairly intelligent but when I came to my diagnosis I went into denial and became really stupid. I don't understand why I didn't research my butt off like I do everything else. I think I believed my PCP when she said (10 years ago) "everybody has elevated liver enzymes once in awhile and even mild fatty liver because of the American diet" I'm so very mad at myself. Now I sit here with stage four liver cirrhosis, while I'm told my liver is functioning well which completely baffles me. I'm so sad and so confused. I was just with stage 4, 3 weeks ago. I have no idea what to expect. ={
Connect
@jazzmanfla, I hope that you will have safe travels, and an informative appointment and tests next week. Do you have far to travel?
Maybe the test results will give you some answers about the occasional pain and dizziness. If this is your first trip to Mayo, I can assure you from my experience at the Rochester Mayo, that you will be getting the best of care. Be sure to take a written list of your questions.
When you get back home and rested, I am interested to hear what you find out from the tests.