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3 weeks post liver transplant: when will I feel better?

Transplants | Last Active: Jun 16, 2023 | Replies (106)

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@msfins

Thank you Kate. It definitely is lonely and brings me to my knees. Its even hard to describe to my family or friends cause even though they are there for me, they can't begin to imagine what its like. I do need to be reminded to give myself grace, so thank you. It's like I get down and depressed and cry then I get mad at myself for feeling that way cause I have a second chance at life. Like ive said before, its so nice talking to people who are actually going through or been through this as well.

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Replies to "Thank you Kate. It definitely is lonely and brings me to my knees. Its even hard..."

Except for my husband my family virtually abandoned me before and after transplant. My parents had died. My in-laws were suspicious and stayed far away. My siblings thought having HepC was nothing to worry about. Even after the transplant they became even more distant. They had no understanding of the toil a transplant takes on you both mentally and physically. They have chosen not to understand. I live with this every day. Be thankful for those who support you.

Hi msfins Yes you will get better. I was in your place the first 2 months after my Heart Transplant. I remember one incident where my wife had left for her daily walk of her usual 3 to 4 miles and I really wanted to get some computer work done. We were staying at a hotel the first few weeks after transplant and feeling ok but everyday chores would wear me out. Anyway the laptop was in a suitcase on the floor of the closet (thank God for closet rails) and I was just going to kneel down and get this really light laptop and power cord. Well I got done there ok but could not get back up. My leg muscles were not strong enough yet and i used the rail you hang shirts on which was lower than the regular one at the top of the closet. Using my arms and legs I got back up. I never felt so weak in my whole life. Well that soon passed and my next challenge was I really wanted to be allowed to drive again but my wife was concerned that my leg strength would be a problem driving. So we set this goal and required me to be able to climb the stairs of our home and meet the 6 week requirements that my doctors had. Well my doctors required me to be off my pain killers ,which is another story, so Doctors are happy but the stares also I would start with 3 or 4 steps a day and each week get a few more. By the end of 4 weeks I made it up the 13 steps of my stairs. BTW we had left the hotel near Mayo at 1 month past transplant so by the 7th or 8th week I was back upstairs and in my own bed plus driving again. So progress at that point got faster and faster by 6 months I was walking 2 to 3 miles again and playing Golf. I'm 4 years post now and there is nothing I can say I can't do. I feel completely normal which I have been for the last 3 years.
I might add the bloating is a problem at first and I was on a water pill for probally 2 years post transplant but haven't needed it since. I try to stick to a Mediterranean Diet and watch my salt to under about 2500 MG a day. Not always successful but i do try. I hope I inspired you to hang in their. BTW I was 59 when I had the transplant and I'm 63 now But I do believe my Heart is much younger since I want to be on the go but some parts of my body make me slow down. 😆 mostly muscles. I walk 3 to 4 miles a day and work out in the gym 3 to 4 time a week. Let me know how your doing as it seems your about 6 weeks now if my math is correct?
Blessing from Dana