I am 7 months out post liver transplant - related to my history of ulcerative colitis. It all happened very fast, though it felt slow at the time. I'm 54. I can remember the very early days - I was in the hospital for 2 weeks post transplant, returned home for VNA services. I was hugely swollen and thought it would never end. Within 2 months I shed all of my water weight (55 lbs!!) and as it was coming off it was much easier to move, so I began taking walks and it came off even faster. I kept reminding myself, when I was acutely discouraged, that I was no longer yellow, and it ended my hepatic encephalopathy episodes which were awful. I still feel even better but I am getting my physical strength back etc. I've made it a point - mostly for emotions which can be intense -- look at what we've had to cope with and what continues to await us! -- I get outside everyday and exercise each day and it helps with my mood. I also make sure I call or write a friend each day to keep myself in the world. Illness and recovery can be very lonely and will bring us to our knees at times. My post transplant nurse reminds me "give yourself some grace" when I am feeling discouraged and this simple message is grounding to me. So, please give yourself some grace in these early days, it gets so much better.

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