Liver transplant - Let's support each other

Posted by lmctif @lmctif, Oct 29, 2018

What topics do people who are waiting for a liver transplant want to talk about? Who has had a liver transplant and wants to talk about?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

@jim1208

July 24th I am back at Mayo. Thank you so much!

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Do you have to stay over night? Have you looked into Gift of Life House?

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July 24th I am back at Mayo. Thank you so much!

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@jim1208

I feel like a failure because of not being able to work. I have good mornings but have to nap daily for 2 to 3 hours.

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@jim1208, you are not a failure. Your life is in a holding pattern. And no one has a crystal ball to predict the future. So keep on forging ahead with baby steps, one day at a time. That includes keeping doctor appointments and taking good care of you - even taking naps.
When do you see doctor again for update?

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@gaylea1

I went into a hepatic encephlalopathic coma that kept me in hospital for a month. I was in and out of consciousness the whole time. It took 2 months to remeber the day of the week, the date and the month. I forgot my address, phone number and all banking and personal accounts. Luckily i had my children as my Power of Attorneys for property already in place. I still can't recall anything about my stay in the hospital during that time. Apparently my life was on the line touch and go for the first few weeks. My kids were preparing for the worst every day. I have extreme feelings of guilt that they had to go through that. The good news is that I receved my liver November 28 2018. I am so grateful every single day.
Note: Take your lactulose if prescribed to avoid an HE episode!

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@gaylea1 That's a long spell in the hospital; for HE. I was in a few times for two or three days. Lactulose definitely helps, but xifaxan helped me even more. Taking that I went almost a year with no HE episodes. When I did have one again they said it was because my liver was getting worse and I had resume taking lactulose.
When I got close to my transplant things really went downhill and both my husband and my sister were prepared for the worse. My kids live away and were not aware of how bad I was.
JK

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@jim1208

I am a year and half into waiting for transplant. MELD is stable at 15 to 17. I am on long term disability. Worst issues are with fatigue and lightheadedness and foggy. Anyone relate? Thanks.

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@jim1208 I am very familiar with your symptoms. I was also very cold all of the time. I was so bundled up in bed in bed it was ridiculous. I went about 16 or 17 months on the waiting list and then somehow was transplanted sooner than anticipated, in September of 2016, at MELD 28. I was about to have my MELD increased and things had gone downhill so perhaps they can take all of that into account.
I had severe HE episodes but most of the time I was very cognitive and able to live my normal life. I did have additional symptoms -- lowering platelet counts, cramps in my legs and hands, fluid retention in my feet frequently, and my handwriting deteriorated terribly. My hands were very shaky. I could not take a picture they were so shaky, and I couldn't get a spoonful of soup to my mouth without it spilling. Also, I did have to nap daily.

You are in one of those tough situations. Not sick enough to get high on the list, but perhaps feeling miserable? I guess you just have to hang in there until things get worse, but some people are able to avoid a transplant with a good diet and other methods. That of course is the best, if you are feeling fairly well.
JK

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@gaylea1

@rosemarya yes it has been a long 2 years for me but now I can look back and be thankful, grateful for where I am today. I remember members who told me to hang tight and that my time will come. Now I am advising others that the call will come. I never thought I'd get to this other side. Thank you for your guidance snd unfailing support ❤

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Glad the hard part of your journey is behind you!

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I feel like a failure because of not being able to work. I have good mornings but have to nap daily for 2 to 3 hours.

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@rosemarya

Hi, @livertrex, and Welcome to Connect. I am happy that you have chosen to participate by sharing your experience. Before my transpant, I did not have HE, but I did not drive because I becamem physically too sick. My husband, who was retired, was my caregiver and my driver when I needed to go somewhere. That was 10 years ago.

How are you getting along since the HE episode? Are you waiting for a liver transplant?

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Yes, I am waiting.went to ER for this twice. Hard to work 40 hours a week. My last episode and ct scan they found tumor. I have had a tace procedure.it didn't work. Going through radiation now.

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@rosemarya

That is a big milestone for you, @gaylea1. This has been one big rollercoaster year for you.
Be careful driving. When I returned to driving after my transplant and recovery, I learned that distractions became a problem for my focus. Even today, I find that I need quiet in my car.

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@rosemarya yes it has been a long 2 years for me but now I can look back and be thankful, grateful for where I am today. I remember members who told me to hang tight and that my time will come. Now I am advising others that the call will come. I never thought I'd get to this other side. Thank you for your guidance snd unfailing support ❤

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Thank you for the link!

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