In November 2021, my cancer doctor in Tucson said I had 2 months to live (bile duct cancer) and not to bother calling Mayo because I was too old at age 71 for a liver transplant.
I called Mayo and my primary care doctor's PA had already called Mayo. Mayo set me up with 2 weeks of testing (endurance, psychological as well as every conceivable medical test).
January 3rd, 2022 the board reviewed my case. January 5th I was put on the transplant list as inactive with a level 6. I had 36 rounds of chemo and radiation end of January and into March. We waited the month to "de-radiate" April, I had a laproscopy to see if the cancer had spread.
Aoril 16 I was told there was no spread of cancer, that I was at level 26, and that I would being getting a liver soon. Much to my surprise, I got the call 2 days later to be ready to go to surgery. April 20, 2022 at 2:00 a.m mid surgery, my cousin received a message "old liver out, nee luver in". a
Now I am able to tell you that after almost 3 years post transplant, that it us worth calling Mayo.
Hope this helps,
Barbara
aka ajdo129 (the coded name for my donated liver).
Wow, you went through a lot. So you had liver cancer? That was great the treatments were so effective. Then to get "the call" almost the next day.
When I needed my second transplant, my center then said I might need a kidney too so I was tested for both organs. However the transplant committee turned me down since my kidneys were not bad enough. So that invalidated my liver too. I asked why, but the answer turned into a dead end. So I started calling new centers around my state and two states over. Got many who wanted to talk but I got a call from my local alternative center, I went there. We have the Cleve Clinic and University Hospitals by me.
Wow, you went through a lot. So you had liver cancer? That was great the treatments were so effective. Then to get "the call" almost the next day.
When I needed my second transplant, my center then said I might need a kidney too so I was tested for both organs. However the transplant committee turned me down since my kidneys were not bad enough. So that invalidated my liver too. I asked why, but the answer turned into a dead end. So I started calling new centers around my state and two states over. Got many who wanted to talk but I got a call from my local alternative center, I went there. We have the Cleve Clinic and University Hospitals by me.
I hope it all works out for you. As I have said in earlier posts: There are 3 tracks, 2 of which are in our hands. The first two happen together:
1. Diagnosis that says your life is shortened, so one prepares to leave the world with no regrets and to ease those left behind.
2. The other track, which clearly you embrace, to continue to explore all options that may defy the first.
3. And finally, which is totally out of our control, be open to a miracle.
I wish you the best.
Barbara
Hi @bibiliverbug, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Are you referring to age with respect to becoming a liver transplant recipient or regarding eligibility to be a liver donor?
Hi, @tabuc. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Am I correct that you are a patient who is wondering abput the age limit to receive a liver transplant?
Yes, age does play a role in transplantation because one has to be able to undergo the complex surgery and recovery. In order to be eligible for transplant, one must first undergo a complete evaluation process that is managed by the transplant team to determing whether a patient is healthy ebnough to undergo surgery. Sometimes there might be some medical conditions that need to be corrected prior to being approved. @tabuc, the best place for you to find the answer about age, is going to be to talk to someone at the transplant center wherr you are planning to receive your transplant. Some centers have different age requirements. Have you been referred to a transplant center, yet?
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Wow, you went through a lot. So you had liver cancer? That was great the treatments were so effective. Then to get "the call" almost the next day.
When I needed my second transplant, my center then said I might need a kidney too so I was tested for both organs. However the transplant committee turned me down since my kidneys were not bad enough. So that invalidated my liver too. I asked why, but the answer turned into a dead end. So I started calling new centers around my state and two states over. Got many who wanted to talk but I got a call from my local alternative center, I went there. We have the Cleve Clinic and University Hospitals by me.
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1 ReactionI hope it all works out for you. As I have said in earlier posts: There are 3 tracks, 2 of which are in our hands. The first two happen together:
1. Diagnosis that says your life is shortened, so one prepares to leave the world with no regrets and to ease those left behind.
2. The other track, which clearly you embrace, to continue to explore all options that may defy the first.
3. And finally, which is totally out of our control, be open to a miracle.
I wish you the best.
Barbara
recipient
yes
Hi, @tabuc. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Am I correct that you are a patient who is wondering abput the age limit to receive a liver transplant?
Yes, age does play a role in transplantation because one has to be able to undergo the complex surgery and recovery. In order to be eligible for transplant, one must first undergo a complete evaluation process that is managed by the transplant team to determing whether a patient is healthy ebnough to undergo surgery. Sometimes there might be some medical conditions that need to be corrected prior to being approved.
@tabuc, the best place for you to find the answer about age, is going to be to talk to someone at the transplant center wherr you are planning to receive your transplant. Some centers have different age requirements. Have you been referred to a transplant center, yet?
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