Posted 10/16/2010 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
i know i haven't posted much on the board, but i just wanted to share some good news for those out there still waiting for a transplant. after almost a year on the waiting list, and with a MELD of 34, a liver was found for my mom on Thursday. The surgery took about 10 hours, and she is still not awake. They have her sedated as she has a breathing tube, tube in her nose leading to her stomach, a million IV's, etc. The nurse said it's not unusual for someone to not wake up for 2 whole days, which was a bit scary sounding. She's not out of the woods yet, as the drs. said it was a really rough surgery due to the extremely poor condition of her old liver and the bleeding (she ended up getting 12 units of blood in the OR, and is still getting more). The surgeon also said 50% of patients have to go back into the OR to remove blood clots, so not to freak out if that happens. The liver we got came from a 50 year old woman who had been exposed to Hep B. The dr. said she'd have to take a pill to prevent Hep B her whole life, but he felt it was worth it as mom couldn't afford to wait another day for another liver.
Honestly, it all still feels so surreal.
I know this is the end of one journey, but just the beginning of another long road, so it's a bit bittersweet which sounds horrible. But I am so grateful for the 2nd chance my mom has been given. She had been hospitalized for the past 21 days, wasn't eating, stopped talking, and, instinctively, I knew she didn't have much time left, despite the drs. annoying tendencies to never tell you just how sick they are time-wise. Of course, after the transplant, they tell you yes, she was critically ill, and had no time left. Throughout this whole journey, it's been hard to know what to get scared over and what's considered "normal" for someone with ESLD, etc. so I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through a transplant or is caretaking someone afterwards so I know what to expect.
But for all those still waiting, HAVE HOPE, because it can happen at any time! I was by myself and just floored when a surgeon we had never met ran in and said they had a liver for my mom - even our coordinator was shocked, as she thought mom would have to get "sicker" (but how much sicker can u be with a 34 MELD?!)...so NEVER GIVE UP!