Liver transplant: The big question

Hi. I had my transplant August 24 at Mayo Arizona. I was very lucky, as I have a particular blood type and need a perfect match. I also became quite ill and had lost a lot of weight prior to the transplant. I was under 125 pounds at 5’10”. My meld score was 29. I had no idea I had liver disease until I became ill with low sodium. I became loopy and my husband thought I had a concussion following a fall I took. We went to the hospital and I spent 10 day in ICU and learned I had liver disease. I went on the list in June of 24 and received my new liver 2 months to the day to the day I went on the list. They have not been able to identify the cause of my liver disease, even following the biopsy post transplant. I am coming up on a year and am doing well. I am forever grateful to my team at the MayoClinic, and to be healthy again. It’s truly a gift.

I feel very lucky. I was diagnosed with Non Alcoholic Cirrhosis in 2017. Took my meds, did my labs and had an ultrasound twice a year. My MELD score never changed in those years, it was 13. Lived a normal life until 2023, that’s when things started to happen. Had a couple of hospital stays and then in October 2024 I ended up in the ICU because of a brain bleed from a fall. My MELD had risen to 16 and two weeks later doctor said it’s time for a transplant, my MELD hit 20. It took until late November to pass through all of Kaisers committees and was on to Mayo on December 10th. Mayo requested several tests and even a dental exam before things moved on. Was told it usually takes about 6 weeks to complete all these appointments, I believe there were 8. To the amazement of my coordinator, I finished them all in 10 days. Had a little scare when my MELD Dropped to 18. On my birthday, December 29th, we flew to phoenix for my evaluation. On the first day after labs and 5 appointments with doctors and nurses I was told I was a perfect candidate because I was healthy, my blood type and I had a large cavity for the liver. We flew home and waited a few days for word that I would be listed. That call came on January 8th. They requested I come to Phoenix ASAP. We got there January 23rd and started doing labs and seeing doctors. First labs showed Meld was still at 18, I didn’t have another appointment until the end of February. I was a little dejected because I felt I had lost February, but on February 5th the call came. I was listed less than a month. My new liver and I have been back home in California for over a month and celebratind my Daughters wedding last night. Mayo sets the bar for service.

Thanks, Kelly! I am preparing to pack the right things for the days there! No flip flops, t-shirts with built in bras! Snacks! I will be ready. And my sister will be along for the ride.

Wow! What a story! So happy that you were healthy and able to be with your daughter!

I am so happy for you! It’s rather ironic, but you’re lucky to have injured yourself in the fall, or who knows what would have happened!

Rolling backpack 🙂 Everest makes one that works great that goes on every trip there....just sayin. Everest 5045 Deluxe Wheeled Backpack, Burgundy, One Size (comes in other colors, I actually have blue with gray). Take the parking lot shuttle 🙂 Wave at me when you drive past Casa Grande at the McCartney exit.

I had my liver transplant 10 years ago March at Baylor in Dallas. My meld was 28 and to 9 months from being accepted to transplant. I have O- blood. I had cancer they took care of it with two treatment. Then one dry run. (6 hours) Then we drove the 6 hours once I received the call.
Two months in Dallas then released to weekly trips to Dallas. Great to home so the trips were a breeze.
I have had no issues with new liver only a Incisional hernia which they said to leave alone until it hurts which it hasn’t .

Mike

I got liver transplant at the age of 58 on 11/24 after 18 years being diagnosed at Mayo. My MELD would fluctuate 8-22 and I bounced on/off the list 4-5 times. Many Mayo emergency room runs, one transplant dry run, and many "don't want to get out of bed days". I, too, had some doubt if I wanted to be transplanted. I was functioning and dealing with complications and surgeries became a way of life. 7 Months post transplant, I am glad I did it. The immediate and long term side effects of meds are real, the statistics are concerning, and the life long thought of protecting that liver that your body doesn't want is on my mind-BUT I am grateful for Mayo and my donor behind words. It has positively changed my whole life around physically, mentally, and spiritually. Best wishes on this bumpy road.

What a wonderful story, Lou - thank you for sharing. After 18 yrs, what prompted you to have the transplant, finally? I just started having major health issues last year and, after 3 mos of treating me, my GI said he’d done pretty much all he could and thought I should see Mayo - and here I am (soon to be 61).

I’m 5 years post transplant at Jax. I started with a MELD score at 9, went to 19, then crashed suddenly to 38. A liver doner was immediately located (miracle) and I received my gift of life within 24 hours. I was only listed for 3 months.