This and That and Talk - My Transplant

@davidgenebarnes, Welcome back to Connect! I am very happy to hear from you.

You have quite an amazing story! This proves that all of our stories are unique. Thank you for sharing.
You have really been through a lot. And you are in the perfect place to have the specialists to get you through your complications. My husband and I prefer to refer to them as bumps in the road. My wish for you and your wife, is that your bumps soon level out!

David, please keep us updated on your progress, so we can celebrate with you.

Prayers for continued healing,
Rosemary

Well, it's been six weeks since my liver transplant. While I am dealing with a few issues, overall it was a success. Recovery is another story.
I am staying on campus at Mayo's recovery center with my Wife/Caregiver.
My complications include:
My bilirubin levels continue to be too high, causing a potential stint surgery. Since I have had a gastric bypass they have to go through my side instead of my nose.
I have been getting really sick from a 7.5mm kidney stone they just found. I had a stint put in via my penis (ouch!). I now urinate every 15 minutes with blood and puss. It is scheduled to come out in a week with a scheduled laser to break up the single stone.
While my pain level has been getting better, it I still ranges between a 5 and 8.
When I came to Phoenix a year ago, I weighed 345. My ideal weigh is around 285/290. I'm a big 6.4" guy. Currently I am at 225, losing 30 pounds in a month. I look like a skeleton. If they would have kept my staples in I would have many costume ideas for Holloween.
I need to get better soon so I can get back to work, as I have been with no income for six weeks now.
On a positive note, when I have a pain med in me, I can easily see that the surgery was successful based on my flexibility, energy and lack of negative thoughts.
I was only on the transplant list for two weeks. Once they called me, the new liver was in me 4 hours later, total surgery time was six hours.
Mayo Phoenix is absolutely the best!. This coupled with my Caregiver/Wife, I feel very well taken care of.
Just thought I would put my thoughts out there.

Best Wishes and Prayers to all pending transplant patients.

@lcamino Thanks. As I have probably mentioned before, my motto has become "I'm going to live forever, so far, so good". (Steven Wright)
JK

@contentandwell - I did think of you on Saturday (date was in my calendar) but I failed to send you a congratulations. Your post above is so encouraging - you feel good and are enjoying life. I'm so pleased for you and thankful that you are here on earth to enjoy your daughter's wedding. Congratulations on being healthy and remaining that way for many years to come!

@rosemarya Thank you Rosemary. I was at the Hindu pre-wedding ceremony today for my daughter and after the ceremony we had lunch with about 30 people and my future son-in-law toasted me on the occasion and everyone applauded. I am not good at being the center of attention but it was a nice gesture.
I too hope that I continue to have good health for years to come. It's been an amazing year. I feel great, and I enjoy life more than ever, being very aware of how fortunate I am at being here still.
JK

@contentandwell - HAPPY TRANSPLANT ANNIVERSARY !!! 🙂
Rosemary

I invite you to share a few words on the "Celebrate Transplant Blessings", or "Happy Transplantiversary"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/happy-transplantiversary/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/celebrate-your-transplant-blessings/
I pray that your health and blessings continue for years to come.
Rosemary

@davebarnes, I hope that you are making some forward progress, Dave. Please know that I, as well as the other members, are thinking of you. We are cheering from many places. We know that sometimes the healing happens in spurts. All of our journeys are different.
Sending gentle hugs,
Rosemary

@davebarnes - I am away on vacation. But as soon as I saw you're post, I just couldn't wait till I get home to say that I am so very happy for you and your wife to have received your liver transplant.
Rosemary

@davebarnes - I guess I'm out of touch because I did not realize you were having your transplant but I'm so pleased it went well. I've not been through what you are experiencing but I'm sure you will start to feel better. Keep the staff informed of how you are doing because they are there to help. Don't try and be a tough guy because you need to rest so you can heal. So pleased for you and your wife!

@davebarnes Dave, I had bad pain for a couple of days too. One night it was so bad I couldn't sleep, The nurse came in at around 5:00 AM and told me never to do that, I could have had some more pain medication, I was not nearly at the limit. She gave me something, I finally slept and that was my worst night. It will get better. I really do not remember the actual pain, or exactly where it hurt, what I remember is that night, and also saying to my husband I wish I hadn't had the transplant! Within a very short time I was ecstatic that I had and now, a year later (transplantiversary on 09.23) I am better than ever. I really have been since very shortly after the transplant. It's wonderful to not wake up in the morning fearing an HE episode. I was fortunate in not having many but the ones that I did have were horrible. They put me in the hospital 3 times.
JK