Liver transplant - Let's support each other

Hi again @rosemarya,

I was referred to Mayo Phoenix and Mayo is going through the process of working with my insurance which should be finished in the next couple of weeks. Anyway, I would like to take you up on a question about the evaluation process. I was unable to find the answer myself. So... When going through the evaluation it seems that it could take up to a week. Do you know if I'll be admitted to the hospital for the evaluations?

Hi again @rosemarya,

I was referred to Mayo Phoenix and Mayo is going through the process of working with my insurance which should be finished in the next couple of weeks. Anyway, I would like to take you up on a question about the evaluation process. I was unable to find the answer myself. So... When going through the evaluation it seems that it could take up to a week. Do you know if I'll be admitted to the hospital for the evaluations?

@klm3, How soon is too soon? That is a great question and I hope that you will learn the answer to that when you have your evaluation. Each of us is unique and our liver condition as well as related health issues.

I have a deceased donor. I have never heard mention of donor height being a consideration in the match. I urge you to read the information that @jamesduaiswamy has shared.

Here are some links that you will find helpful as you wait for your scheduled appointment:
- Living-donor transplantation
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/living-donor-transplantation/overview/

- Transplant Blog - with Living Donor Toolkit
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/transplant/

@klm3, Do you have any questions as you proceed toward evaluation? How can we help you prepare?

Thank you for the Welcome!
My first surgey was done by a living donor. My father gave me a piece of his liver and i was blessed that have that for 20 years. My second surgery i got both Liver and and Kidney from a cousin of who passed away. It was a true miracle how fast the second surgery happened. With in a week or two of being told I needed a transplant I got a call one day that my cousin's parents wanted to donate to me.
I was also diagnosed with PSC. Its wonderful to meet someone else with the same diagnosis. I'm glad things have been working well for you. I pray it continues.

Jinja

This is for transplant patients. I am a liver transplant 2yrs.i take tacrolimys. My Dr. Has me do blood every 3 mos. To ck everything. MRI and CT every 4 mos.- 6mos.sibce I have a new liver and other organs seem fine why can't I have a glass of wine maybe once a week...I don't smith or do drugs ..never been a drinker but do occasionally like a glass of wine or a glass of cold beer...can anyone answer that!

@klm3 - Welcome to Connect! I work with the doctors and nurses in the transplant center at Mayo. For living donors, the beginning first few steps of the process can be done remotely. The potential donors can fill out our online form and if they chosen as a donor, they can have their bloodwork done locally to be sure they are a match and healthy enough to continue the process. Once those results are reviewed by Mayo, the donors can also do any routine preventative care locally that they might be missing such as colonoscopy, mammogram, skin checks, etc. These are things they may already have done if they are keeping up with their preventative care. Once they have their bloodwork approved by the team and are being considered a potential donor, that's when they will need to travel to the transplant center for consultations and testing. The transplant team needs to meet the donor in person to assess their health and willingness to donate. So in short summary, some tests can be done at home but generally the consultations need to be done at Mayo. I hope that's helpful information for you. The team will go over all those and other details once you are approved for transplant.

@jinja320, I joined Connect because I wanted to meet someone else who had received a transplant due to PSC. I was monitored for nearly 8 years before I needed to be listed. I was inactivated when cholangiocarcinoma was suspected. My kidneys failed before I got a cancer free diagnosis. I was flown from ICU in Kentucky to Mayo Rochester to see the PSC specialist there. UofKy was not doing living liver transplants in 2009, so it was not an option. Then when I got to Mayo and was able to be reactivated on the transplant list, I needed a liver and a kidney, so the transplant list, living donation was not an option. I will never forget the phone call from my surgeon when she rold me that there were organs for me! I am forever grateful for the anonymous donor who gave me a new life.
I do not have Ulcerative Colitis although I have read that not everyone with PSC gets it. Did you have UC before your transplant?

Thank you for the Welcome!
My first surgey was done by a living donor. My father gave me a piece of his liver and i was blessed that have that for 20 years. My second surgery i got both Liver and and Kidney from a cousin of who passed away. It was a true miracle how fast the second surgery happened. With in a week or two of being told I needed a transplant I got a call one day that my cousin's parents wanted to donate to me.
I was also diagnosed with PSC. Its wonderful to meet someone else with the same diagnosis. I'm glad things have been working well for you. I pray it continues.

Jinja

Hi @klm3

My first transplant was through living donor. I was 17 years old and my donor was my father, he was 40. At that time we were no where close in height. I know the size of the organs matter but im not sure it has anything to do with height. My second donor although he was deceased he was also much taller than I was. He was 18 and i was 37.
I hope this helps a bit.

All the best with your consultation and I hope your surgery goes well if you decide to go ahead with it.