Liver transplant - Let's support each other

@marinab, I want to let you know that I am thinking about you across the miles. Has your husband been able to get any relief from his ascites with repeat paracenteses? Have you heard anything about when the TIPS procedure might be scheduled?
How about you? As a caregiver, your health is equally important as your husband's. What is it like for you? And how can we on Connect support you?

Update for you. I have completed everything required for the transplant team here to discuss my case for referral to Mayo. There is a good chance that I’ll be out there in the next few weeks! Through all the tests, with the exception of my liver, everything else is healthy, strong and good. Looking forward to this journey and pray everyday for a good result and a healthy recovery. Thank you for keeping in touch, Rosemary, it is very much appreciated. So glad I found this message board to be able to learn more about the process and for the support that I have received. Be well and safe, wish me luck!

Bryan

Thank you so much ! I will check out the TIPs discussion group. We live in Hong Kong - while they have excellent liver facilities, the culture here does not see living donors. And we don;t have any family who would qualify or be willing, so we are waiting patiently in line which could be a long way away as he is not on the priority just yet (in a way thankfully!). TIPs was recently recommended tohim and we are weighing up the pros and cons. Like you, his ascites is very challenging and he currently goes in every 5-6 weeks for paracenteses. He also has inguinal hernia as a result which is very uncomfortable but they say they cannot repair this until his ascites is resolved as it will only come back.

@btg Brian, I am soooo happy to hear good news about your progress. And you are absolutely correct that your good health is going weigh heavily in your favor as you look forward to eventual listing and surgery. My advice, if you were to ask, is to stay active and eat healthy foods.
I hope that gentle breezes will be with you as you set sail!
Brian, please send updates.

Hi, @jackie421blfdgurl, this is it! You are part of the virtual meeting by participating in the discussions here on Connect. It is a virtual coffee table conversation, so imagine all of us gathered in comfortable location sipping our coffee and chatting. I wish we could come to Connecticut, but virtual is just more convenient for all of us.
Jackie, For some reason I keep thinking that you have an anniversary of your transplant coming up. I did not see anything on your profile when I looked.
How to Add and Edit My Profile
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/help-center/#add-edit-profile
Will you be celebrating a transplant anniversary soon?

To rosemary's..this is Jackie but u knew that haha.what is this virtual meeting all about I would love to b a part of that..or I was going to say u are in charge of getting the bus and we all meet in Connecticut and raise some hell..woopie!!!!

@btg Brian, I am soooo happy to hear good news about your progress. And you are absolutely correct that your good health is going weigh heavily in your favor as you look forward to eventual listing and surgery. My advice, if you were to ask, is to stay active and eat healthy foods.
I hope that gentle breezes will be with you as you set sail!
Brian, please send updates.

Hi Rosemary, sorry so long to get back to you. I have two tests here left at home as well as some dental crowns to be finished. After, we’ll meet with my liver Doc here and see where are. Hope to set sail for Mayo in April, God willing! I feel great, which is good. The other good news is that with all the tests I’ve already been through I am otherwise very healthy. Strong heart, lungs and kidneys are great. Hope this weighs in my favor but I have no idea. We shall see!!

Thank you for reaching out, very much appreciated.

Bryan

2022 has already been busy in this group. I might need to add some extra chairs around our virtual table chat!
This morning, I decided to bring you who posted in January together to meet each other and to extend invitation to anybody reading this! You are always Welcome.

@btg, How's the planning for testing going? Has it been scheduled yet?

@marinab, Your husband was in the process of deciding on the TIPS procedure. Has he made any decision? How is he doing?

@lcd, Just checking in to say, Hi. Thanks for the positive vibes! Any updates that you want to share?

@digibson, I hope that you are doing okay. What is the transplant team saying about a liver transplant in your future?

@cybele65, How are you feeling after your recent TIPS procedure? Are you noticing any decrease in ascites

@lauraloo81, I'm happy that you have recently joined us on Connect! Do you have anything fun planned for today?

@athenalee, Thanks for sharing your wisdom and positivity to the discussion.

Me - What am I up to: I had my routine labs drawn yesterday. A treat that my husband and I allow ourselves is a stop at local bakery!! Yummy way to start yesterday Valentine's Day. Did you know that yesterday was Donor Appreciation Day?

Mr best wishes to your husband on getting the TIPS procedure. Please let us know how things go for him. And, thank you for being a wonderful caregiver!