Transplant Updates

LaBunna

Do not feel bad about having words with hubbie.  It happened to me last week. I am also one of those who can not shut up.  My poor hubbie just looks at me when I loose it and says--I am so sorry.  Then I feel really bad.  BUT, I think they get in the habbit of expecting too much and we just have to wip them in to shape!  I honestly don't think they realize they are taking advantage. 

..Do they tell you what the pain is caused from?  Is it from the incision/

..Did your hubbie have a hernia?

I purchased a bottle a couple of weeks ago of a new red wine I have wanted to try.  Thanks for reminding me.  I just might open that tonight and give myself a treat!  Few almonds, some cheese and maybe some good crisp grapes UMMMMMMM!  I just might have two glasses, one for me and one for you!

 JoAnn

LaBunna

Eveyone is calling your husband Jerry.  Thats OK I will share the name with you. 

The way I understand a hernia is a bulge in the stomach lining.  When you push on it you can feel the hole and sometimes I can feel when something is sticking through that hole.  I think it is his Innerds (without a better term).  One time it got stuck and he was really in a lot of pain.  I took him to the ER (with help from his son that time).  It was horrible they tried everything to get it pushed back in but it would not budge because he couldn't relax.  They made me and his son leave the room in the ER which really scared us.  They decided to put an IV in to give him morphine to help the pain so they could get it back in.  Well, they couldn't find a vein.  You know how that works.  He had so much scar tissue from IV's.  It was a nightmare!  By the time they let us in the room he had gauze on both sides of his neck where they had tried to get in the juglar vein.  No go, but a good nurse finally got one in his arm.  As soon as they got the morphine in him he relaxed and it popped back in!!  That was just one of my many experiences in the ER.  He still talks about how the Dr. STABBED him in both sides of the neck!  YUK Our poor hubbies have been through so much.  As I'm sure eveyong on this forum has.  Now the hole is larger and when his insides pop through he or I just push them back in.  It used to really gross me out but now I'm used to it.  Kind of like everything did at first but after a while you just go with the flow.  I truly beleive no one could possibly understand what this disease is  like unless you live it like we have and still are.  I wish some one had the "Know How" to create MORE public awareness for this disease.  My daughter has told me many times I should be walking around with a video camera because people don't really have a clue.  If I had my husband on video they could see the changes in him.  I just don't have enough energy left.  Some day some one will I hope.  It would make for a good documentary for AA if anything.  If anyone could do it John would be my pick.  With some help from Connie.  Even you LaBunna you are very good with words.  Also Joelene.  She really has a story to tell.  Her journey started with a tubal pregnancy!!!  Now that is a story.  I'm off to cook more.

  Our three day week end is like any other day is for us.  Vanderbilt told me to take Jerry to the coast while his MELD is so low.  But unfortunately the economy has affected our business and he must stay to make some much needed very important changes.  He can't walk well, talk loud enough for anyone to hear, has to eat often (small amounts) but he has to keep the business going if anything for insurance!  That is LIFE.

JoAnn 

LaBunna

Men are such babies.  My Jerry had a light stroke directly after his transplant.  He would cuss me so bad, something he had never done before, I thought I would go crazy.  But finally that ended. He had so much anger in him, because he thought he would be ok within a week or two.  He was in the hospital for 37 days and came home with a walker.  He had pain but it did get better before to long. My advice is to remember it's not all him that's saying what he says, it's all the medicine and pain.  At least that's what everyone told me.  Take care of yourself and if I was a drinking person I'd join you in that glass of wine, crap I may start drinking if Jerry doesn't get better soon.

Helen

Karen

That is exactly what we were told.  I asked the Dr. in the ER to give me an idea on how much time we have to get it back in before we leave for the ER.  I do panic easy these days.  The Dr. told me to try for an hour or two and then go.  One of the nurses we had in the ER told us to put a heating pad on the hernia if it gets really hard to get back in.  We did that for several months and it really helped.  When we told our GI Dr. what we were doing he said not to do that.  The heat will make it expand and it might make things worse.  So needless to say we don't do that any more!!  Do you have trouble with yours getting stuck.  Also Jerry was told that is the reason he has the hernia's is because of acites.  Actually if you haven't read the old posts his hernia was his biggest complaint to his primary care physician for a year and a half before he was diagnosed.  His physician kept tell him to "Put up With It" because its major surgery.  So he wasn't diagnosed until he was very sick!  Another "Water under the bridge story"  Have a good evening.

JoAnn

Joelene, I did NOT have a transplant, nor was I ever eligible for one.  What I did have was a huge cancerous tumor in my liver (as a result of hep C) that had metastasized to the inferior vena cava.  Therefore, it was considered inoperable and not eligible for a transplant.  However, at Mayo I underwent chemoembolization and also TheraSphere, as part of a study.  Those treatments shrunk the tumor, including the piece that had metastasized, and basically killed the entire right lobe.  So they removed that rt. lobe entirely.  I am living with just the left lobe of my liver.  I was told, however, that if the cancer should return on that side, I would need a transplant.  Also, I assume, if I went into liver failure due to cirrhosis.  As of May of '07, the cirrhosis was deemed "mild."

I did have 2 incisional hernias in my midriff, following the liver surgery.  A hernia (regardless of location) is considered "reducible" if it can easily be pushed in and stays there, and "unreducible" if it can't be.  Mine would only stay in somewhat with an abdominal binder or a waist cincher, so I had surgery, which didn't hold the first time, and so surgery again this past May.  Then I had problems with acites and drains clogging.  I am FINALLY beginning to feel better.  I have blood work and a CT scan scheduled for the 8th and a meeting with my hepatologist on the 9th.  I will know more then.

Hugs,

Connie

Guess I'm kind of lucky, so far my husband hasn't said anything hurtful too me , I think even in his "state" he sense's that it would put me over the edge! Hopefully this won't change when and if he gets his transplant as I'm beyond tired and into weary!  It helps to be able to share these emotions, thank you LaBunna for being so honest.

Judith

La Bunna, so glad to hear that the heating pad is helping with hubbie's pain.  Maybe it will improve his attitude, too, if he can get some sleep.     I know I become short-tempered if I haven't slept well or enough.  However, I have to say "bravo" on calling him on some of his nastiness.  I think you have to let a certain amount go on past, especially if it's obvious he is out in the ozone somewhere, but I think it's a positive thing for you to respond at times. 

Hugs,

Connie