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Liver transplant - Let's support each other
Transplants | Last Active: Nov 13 8:00pm | Replies (1617)Comment receiving replies
Hi Ginger & welcome to Mayo Jacksonville. Your husband could not be at a better hospital. I am brand new to this group. I received my liver transplant on 2/28/22 - so just about 3 months ago. Absolutely amazing! I haven’t felt this good in over 2 years. My natural meld was a 19, but I was eligible for 10 Exception points given the rarity of my condition, and was able to increase my meld up to 25 (2 points below the average Mayo transplant score).
I was listed for 1 year at Mass General before being advised to come to Mayo. I had a few dry runs at MGH before they recommended I come to Jacksonville. I waited 7 months here, and had several dry runs before my final miracle arrived. I am forever grateful to my donor’s family.
Mayo has a weekly support group that used to meet in person, but because of Covid is now done on Zoom.
I found this group to be immensely helpful & supportive as I waited for transplant. The group consists of both pre & post liver transplant patients. I have made some incredible friends thru this, and several have acted as my mentors helping me with both the emotional & physical aspects of liver transplants.
I recommend you reach out to Mike Womack at Mayo and he can provide you with the Zoom link and details on the group. Mike is the social worker who moderates this group. We meet on Tuesdays at 11am for 1 hr. I know it helped me immensely as I waited for transplant.
I now live locally here in Jacksonville. My wife and I liked it so much we re-located here. I would be happy to meet or speak with you and your husband if that would be helpful.
Like Brian - I want to give back to help others navigate this process.
GerryP
Replies to "Hi Ginger & welcome to Mayo Jacksonville. Your husband could not be at a better hospital...."
@gerryp, Hi and Welcome to Connect. I had never heard of SSC before. I did hear of PSC because that is why I was sent/flown to the Mayo in Rochester (the top specialist in PSC). Like you I had my transplant at age 60! Last week I had a very successful check-up for my 13 th year anniversary of my liver and kidney transplant. I have the lucky fortune of seeing both departments! I really can't say who was more thrilled at my good report - me or the transplant doctors! Those folks are amazing.
Congratulations on your recent transplant!
I joined Connect because I also wanted to give back and to meet others with liver transplants. Now I have met people from all over the world here on Connect with so many beautiful stories. I count you as one of them. Gerry, You are most welcome to use this Mayo Clinic Connect Patient Transplant Discussion Group to reach out and support others! I encourage you to share and use your experience to support others in any of the discussions anytime!
Here are a couple of my favorite discussions to get started:
-Everyone has a transplant story to tell
Organ Donation and Transplant: What is Your story?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/organ-donation-and-transplant-what-is-your-story/
-Everyone is invited to share hope in a photo or memory._
Snapshots of hope: Life on the other side of transplant.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/snapshots-of-hope-life-on-the-other-side-of-transplant/
Gerry, Will you have a 4 month checkup?
Connect
Welcome @gerryp. I love your mission to give back and help support fellow liver transplant recipients.
@gingercorless, here's more information about the monthly Zoom support group for people at Mayo Florida. The next meeting is tomorrow, May 24 at 11 am ET if you're able to join.
- Liver, Kidney, Pancreas Transplant: Second Chance Support Group, Mayo Florida https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/liver-kidney-pancreas-transplant-second-chance-support-group-156/
Gerry, your transplant is still rather new (Feb 2022). May I ask what condition led to your needing a new liver? What activity are you most excited about being able to do again?