Liver transplant - Let's support each other

I don't know what the MELD needs to be for living donor transplant...we will ask that question when we meet with the evaluation team. They have not calculated my son's MELD yet. He was in the hospital last week for an emergency ERCP due to a blockage. That's when his team of doctors suggested he is getting close to being evaluated. We should know more in the next few weeks.

gramjr1, I am reaching across the miles to extend a virtual handshake to say Welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm also sending a hug, because I know from my own experience how much that helps.

I am so very happy that you have found Connect, and I want you to know that you are invited to browse through the list of transplant discussions, and to join in anywhere at anytime with any question that you might think of.

I was 59 when I was listed for a liver transplant locally; I was 60 when I was airlifted to Mayo Rochester after 5 days in ICU (@800 miles). I spent 2 weeks in the Hospital at Mayo, then discharged to stay nearby until transplant. My husband and I stayed at the Gift of Life House for transplant patient/caregiver during the duration of my time in Rochester. In Jacksonville, Florida, Gabriel House of Care in offers low-cost housing for transplant patients and their caregivers. I am sending you this link to the Transplant Hospitality Houses - A Home Away From Home.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed/transplant-hospitality-houses-a-home-away-from-home/
From my own experience, you can support your sister-in-law at a distance by your thoughts, prayers, cards, and email messages of encouragement and love. My husband had to read them to me because, I was too weak to do that. I will honor my 10th anniversary in April.

Holidays Greetings - To all who are touched by Organ Donation
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/holidays-greetings-to-all-who-are-touched-by-organ-donation/
Who is with your sister-in-law at this time? That person also will benefit from your support.

HI everyone! Thank you for your valuable sharing! My sister-in-law was flown to Florida for emergency care and found that she needs a liver. She is on a liver transplant list and like others was told, it would be a cadaver. She’s #30 on the list. They’re keeping her there at the hospital or the hotel since she needs to be no more than 30 miles away. She lives about 1100 miles away as we do. We’re going to fly down when she gets the word. We can’t afford 2 trips with hotel costs and plane fare, so as much as we would love to be with her now and then, then will be more important we felt. She is 59 years old. She’s very independent, but is welcoming us coming down when the time comes, so we know we need to be there. We would of been there no matter what anyway. Didn’t know anything on transplants and this site has helped us gain some insight. Thank you so much.

@mnemeth318, Welcome to Connect. I want to express my congratulations on your recent liver transplant. You and your amazing wife have experienced an interesting liver health history together. I want to recognize her for the heroic action she participated in. It is an honor for me to be able to say this!
I hope that your recovery is coming along smoothly for you. Do you live near enough to the JAX Mayo that you can recover at home?

I wonder if you would share with me what kind of Biliary complications arose? I ask this because I transplanted due to PSC which affects the bile ducts. Did you have PSC?

@rosemarya I am sure, as you say, that the evaluation must be the same and that would include being physically able to undergo surgery, but what seems odd is that he would need to be put on the list for a cadaver liver. If he has a living donor then before anything that person would also undergo testing to determine if they were a good match. From what I understand the main criteria for a live donor for liver is blood type and size, but of course there is also health, both physical and mental. If the criteria is satisfied, why would he need to be put on the list for a cadaver liver? That's what I do not understand.
JK

I believe that the evaluation process is the same because; one must 1st be in need of a transplant ; and 2nd one must be physically able to undergo the complex surgery. Being on the list and waiting for a deceased donor, is (my opinion) standard procedure because we can't possibly be certain that a donor canditate will be an eligible donor.

@stella25 I have always wondered about this, what MELD you need to be at for them to do a living donor transplant. What is his MELD currently?
JK

@bwebster93 It seems that each transplant center has their own protocol for the type of thing you are referring to. I would call the transplant coordinator and ask for clarification. I too find it difficult to understand why he would need to find a cadaver match before having a living donor. To me, that seems to defeat part of the purpose of having a living donor.
I would love to know what your transplant center says, I think maybe there has been a miscommunication.
JK

@bwebster93, @stella25, Here is something for you. I recommend that you view the webinar.

Top Takeaways from "Transplant 101: Preparing for Your Journey"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed/icymi-key-takeaways-from-transplant-101-preparing-for-your-journey/

Hello Rosemary. I'm fairly new to Connect. I want to thank you for being a mentor for transplants. Your insight and willingness to share is extremely beneficial to those of us heading to transplant. I appreciate you providing the pages for Living Donor and Recipient Toolkits. Great information. Again, thank you for your time and expertise. I'm sure I will be coming to you quite often in the very near future.