Liver transplant 6 months ago no caretaker

From what I have read here, you are doing well. A transplant is a major surgery and you stated you are going to the gym and eating well. If you could find a few friends to help with chores you could be less overwhelmed. Wishing you well and confident that you will feel better as time goes on.

Don't give up, your body will recover at its own pace. I had some complications with my transplant a couple years ago where like you I hit a wall and was just functioning and I started to think this is how it's going to be. But after a few weeks thing started to improve. It took me longer to recover from this complication than my original transplant. I always tell people when I have problems I'm still here and that's the important part.

@plzhelp, Welcome to Mayo Connect and Congratulations on your successful liver transplant! If I'm reading correctly, you seem to be doing well medically since you are making it a habit of going to the gym. I hope that to are equally dedicated to your medication schedule, labs, and doctor appointments. At 6 months, daily chores and expectations can become overwhelming. I think that @parrot53 has a good idea about involving some friends to provide some relief from the daily grind by helping with some chores - or simply getting out for a social afternoon. I remember how thrilling ot was to go to lunch for the first time after my surgery with a friend!
My personal experience reminds me that it is easy to become too active too quickly and that this can lead to setbacks. I learned very early after transplant that I needed to take breaks between activities because several days in a row left me completely exhausted. Here are some tips, and patient discussions that I want to share with you and with anyone who is feeling overwhelmed with recovery.

- Listening to Your Body > this is an excert from - Top Transplant Tips and Hacks
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/transplant/newsfeed-post/top-transplant-tips-and-hacks/
"Allow yourself time to heal.
Don’t overdo it. Consider saying “no,” even to activities you’d enjoy, to avoid exhaustion. Know it is okay to pass on some functions.
Take time for yourself. Stay home, relax and take it easy.
Ease up on physical activities for a while.
Treat yourself to a nap.
Return to your hobbies as you feel interest and ability, or perhaps pursue new ones.
Consider whether your career is appropriate to your recovery, especially if it’s very demanding. Think about whether it might be helpful to make some changes or even retire."

Patients have shared their experiences here:
- Living Life after your Transplant
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-life-after-your-transplant/
- Post Transplant Surgery and Early Recovery: What's normal?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-liver-transplant/
@plzhelp, Did you have a caregiver at the time of and immedialtely after transplant surgery? Is someone available if you have a medical emergency?

@plzhelp, I hope you saw the helpful posts from fellow transplant members @parrot53 @rickherman and @rosemarya. Have you discussed your recovery and situation with a transplant social worker from your transplant center? They may be able to help coordinate services to assist your recovery. How are you doing?

No I've had no caretaker before and after. I'm just now seeing how I should have taken care of myself better after the transplant. I've not been in a safe environment. Not being able to work is keeping me here. So I'm forcing myself to work.

I'm just trying to get myself better by pushing hard in the gym and staying positive. Not doing well at all. Yet, the reality is, that's my problem. My support has been "get a job and figure it out"

I am pre liver transplant. On the list and " the call" is imminent. That said... I have always had a partner in life since seeking transplant surgery as my disease solution. I was surprised to see your post since a dedicated caregiver was a requirement for me to even be accepted as a candidate. I feel you in your struggle. Frankly don't know how I could do this without her. I hope at 6 months out I am doing better and have most of my life back. We went to the beach today and the gulf pier to just hang out and drop a line. (I live 5 minutes from the gulf in nw Florida) . Just taking my wheel chair when she's got time (she offices from home) and doing the pier or going to calm spot of ours on beach for sun and sand, makes me refill with love and life. Good luck to you and remember to keep your chi a top priority.

I hope your transplant goes well for you. Setting goals for recovery is important. The most important thing is is that those are goals that may become unachievable. And sometimes that gets a bit hard to accept. Thank you for thinking about me and yes it is very hard to do what we have to do to stay alive. Being completely neglected by the family and friends has been the worst. You're blessed to have others that care about you!

@plzhelp, I want you to know that I admire your determination to make things better for you. Getting a job and keeping up with it is a monumental effort when one is struggling and not feeling well, or supported.
Has there been any change in your energy level?

Thanks for taking the time to read this. My energy level is better than before my transplant. Yet the atrophy is quite a hurdle to get over. I'm not back to work by any means yet I can't stand it in my feet that long. So after I find a new place I'm going to use that as an art studio and just throw a bed in the corner. My part-time job this whole time has been going to the gym. I asked for help with my atrophy and the physical therapist gave me an exercise list even though I can't keep up with it I do my best I just don't have the strength to do everything that's expected of me everyday I just do the best I can. And I'm not learning how important exercise really is to make sure that my future is better than my present.