Yup. I’m alive! For which I’m extremely grateful. I’m sure most anyone whose had a transplant would say the same thing. It doesn’t mean it’s going to be a walk in the park. I’m not generally the type to give up without a fight, though. And, I feel you’re the same.

My new liver is doing great. And, while I do suffer some side effects from the meds, I’m hopeful these will reduce; for now, they’re manageable. Most of my ongoing health issues are due to my autoimmune diseases. I get to see a rheumatologist and a neuromuscular MD at the hospital where my transplant was done, so hopefully I can have a coordinated treatment plan to better suit my needs.

I’d recommend Mike that you continue to chat with your transplant team. They’ll know if you’re a good candidate. Try to work on a plan for your horse farm while you’re grappling with this, take care of yourself, follow your doctors advice, invest in some good compression socks (they’re very stylish) and some comfortable shoes….about a size larger than your current size. And, breathe 🧘. Don’t worry about post transplant yet, you’ll have plenty of time for that.

Remember, many transplant patients live long reasonably happy and healthy lives. Which definitely beats the alternative! At least on Connect, I’ve found transplant recipients to be good people and very resilient.

Athena

Oh, for got to mention Mike. Check to see if your hospital has a liver disease/transplant support group. Unfortunately mine had stopped meeting due to Covid when I was getting pretty sick. But, they started meeting virtually, so I found it beneficial after an got out of the hospital.

Mike-I am just 8 months post heart/double lung transplant. Although I was hospitalized for only a short period of time prior to transplant, I was steadily declining 18 months prior. I don’t own a ranch but I do have 2 horses that I rode several times a week prior to my deterioration. As I deteriorated it was all I could do to walk out to catch them. I had no stamina. Fortunately I board my horses, so they were cared for whenever I was not able to go to the barn. Is there a local ag college or high school ag program that you could reach out to for interns or students to work at your horse ranch when you are not able? I know it isn’t the same as doing it yourself, but if they can work with you before hospitalization that can give you some peace of mind.

And heck yes it’s worth it! I will say that I got a little frustrated post transplant when someone asked me if I had a good day. Some days I was lucky to have a good hour or two. So I started counting the ‘small wins’ every day and wrote them down at night, along with what didn’t go well. Even little things like “stood up by myself” made the list. Eventually the small wins greatly outweighed the little steps backwards. I’m very independent, competitive and some say stubborn 😊. I used that to my advantage in recovery-setting goals and challenging myself so I could get out of the hospital asap and then progress in recovery. One of my goals after I got home was to get back in the saddle. In 4 1/2 months I was riding again. Sure, someone had to lift my saddle on and off in the beginning. But within 2 months I was able to saddle both my horses and ride on my own again. Freedom and normalcy comes back, and is something to look forward to. And I didn’t realize how crummy I felt pre transplant until I got my heart and lungs working again!