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Want to connect with other post liver transplant patients
Transplants | Last Active: Aug 13, 2023 | Replies (78)Comment receiving replies
Hi Rosemary,
Thank you for the useful information. I am going to read each and every article you sent. I feel, the more information I have, the better I am prepared. Luckily, my husband is not horribly sick and has a good attitude. He's not working, but we still go out when he's up for it. His MELD score goes between 26-28. I love hearing other people's stories...how long they waited on the list, when they got the call and how they felt. I also love to hear how everyone is doing post transplant. It really gives me hope and I love hearing how they feel so much better post surgery. I will read anything anyone wants to send!! Again, thank you for the articles. I am going to start reading them now!!
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Hello
You got one here.
I am 4 and half years post liver transplant.
If your meld score is in the range of 28, I think you are a viable candidate for a transplant. The transplant team may be able to give you some details to place you on the waiting list.
As a matter of fact, the hospitals do a very good job.
In my case, after the diagnosis, I pretty much said to myself I am done and just went to the next step by preparing myself for the eventuality.
As far as I was concerned obtaining a liver is like winning a lottery.
A blood work during a routine doctor's visit for my annual physical revealed that I had a low count of red blood cells and was requested to go to the Emergency dept of the hospital for infusion. It was successful, the hospital kept me in the hospital for 4 days for further diagnosis.
After the fourth day, I was informed that my liver needs replacement.
I just did not know what I should do next. Luckily the hospital Oncologist worked out and called a couple of hospitals for treatment etc.
The University of Virginia Hospital called although it was 100 miles one way from my place, the visit was well worth it.
After 8 months of continuous testing and various other checks, I was placed on the waiting list.
The funny part is one must be in the range of 28 in the meld score to qualify for a liver-not guaranteed.
By that time my face was totally jaundicing and fluid was gathering in my stomach which had to be syringed every 4 weeks or so.
At this stage, I was planning an overseas trip to Israel to get myself baptized again, and when I informed the doctor, he said to cancel all the plans without any explanation.
After a couple of months in December, I was informed that they found a matching liver for me.
My reaction was, well they just got hold of the wrong person.
Just could not believe that there was a liver waiting for me. God performs miracles in various ways for sinners like me.
The surgery took place in January 2019 and my donor was initially anonymous and then the hospital arranged to meet them after a few months.
This was a 23-year-old girl from Allentown PA, who was going to school in Lynchburg VA.
She was willing to take a chance and help someone for a second chance.
Amazingly it was a 93% match. How often this happens?
She and I are very close and we chat almost every other day.
I am still around with all the hospital regimens, like medications, food intake, workouts, etc.
Not sure what will happen tomorrow, since I am on borrowed time. But every day is a blessing