I have not posted in awhile but am glad to share my experience @ Mayo Phoenix. I received my transplant in 12/2018, deceased donor.

Over an 8 year period prior to transplant I had numerous esophageal varices that needed to be banded, all done by my wonderful local GI doc here in Tucson. Was on the transplant waiting list about 2.5 years during which I made basic healthy lifestyle choices and tried to not beat myself up when I slipped up.

Listen to what your local and Mayo docs advise, be honest with them and yourself. MELD scores count but are not the only factor in who gets the next transplant. I tried to be patient and grateful that those sicker than I got the liver when they needed it.

I would be happy to chat or answer and specific questions anyone has.

Peace.

Hello Coleen and everyone,
Life took a radical turn for me in April. I got very sick very quickly. My husband and I would have been at Mayo Phoenix right now waiting to see if I'd be accepted tomorrow. Instead I was rushed to UCSF in San Francisco. My MELD shot up and I had an unrelated problem with being allergic to statins. Atorvostatin was slowly destroying my muscle mass!
I was list at UCSF in 4 days and on 4/20 a liver came in. At last minute the surgeons told me it wasn't right for me and I was taken back to my room. One half hour late they took me back to surgery because a SECOND liver came in. I woke the next morning with a 'new' liver!!!!!
I feel like I cheated in a way because I only had one serious bout of illness after living with Hep B and Hep Delta for decades and the bout only got bad in late March of this year.
I'm doing really well. The staff at UCSF was wonderful but I found the liver ward caotic, I'm sooo glad to be in my humble little house. My husband is an excellent care giver. I'm improving rapidly.