We got a liver!!!!!!!!!

Mom is in surgery right now. Got a young, healthy liver this morning. Couldn't have come at a more necessary time. Her paracitic fluid was infected and the bacteria got into her blood. They've been doping her up with antibiotics for three days now. Surgeons said the surgery is a higer risk because of the infection but that the risk of not doing the transplant was higher. Sounds like she was in bad shape. Apparently they have to give her a medication during/after the surgery to fight the infection and the complication of that is that it will very likely shut down her kidneys temporarily. Looks like we have a bit of an uphill battle for the next few days.

I will keep everyone posted. Thank you for all of your support.

If anyone knows how I go about thanking the donor family, please let me know.

Thanks,

Sara

You just made my day!! Fantastic news! It really is a high-risk surgery with her infection, but I agree with the doc that the risk would've been higher to NOT do a transplant. Young, healthy liver...just like mine!

Please keep us updated as you are able. The next few days will be crucial.

Hugs,
Connie

great News Sarah!

Tell us which center. I contacted the donor family through the transplant coordinator. Gave her a card and asked if she would pass it along. I never did hear from the family, but I know that it was received. Make sure you take care of yourself, there is still lots to do now that you are over the rainbow!

Forgot to mention that Mayo requires a patient to wait a year and then write a letter to the donor's family. The letter is then placed in a folder at the transplant center, and it is the family's decision to ask for the letter and read it, or just leave it untouched.

Hugs,
Connie

That's different than what they did with me.
A few days after the transplant, I was given several pamphlets about what and how to write to the donor family. It consisted of a cover letter to UNOS saying where and how I received my transplant. Separately, I included a letter to the family. UNOS then let the family know that someone who received a liver had responded. So far, the family has declined to have my letter sent to them. I understand their feelings, but on the other hand would love to let them know how much it meant to me.

I was really hoping to hear more from Sara tonight, but imagine she is watching over her mom quite closely. Hope all is going well.

Hugs,
Connie

Hi all.....here is an update for you.

Connie - I didn't get home till after 9pm last night. So I was whooped LOL!

Surgery lasted 4.5 hours which was excellent as it typically takes 3-8 hours. Surgeon said the whole process was perfect. He said most patients require 10 units of blood, and mom only needed 6. The liver started working immediately. She does not appear to have any signs of a residual infection. Doctors really aren't even too worried about it. They said if she still had the infection she would/should be showing signs of it. They said pre-surgery that if we couldn't make this surgery happen that they did not think there would ever have been another chance for her as she would have been to sick.

When I asked the surgeon about the donor family and how to say thank you, he said that he is not allowed to say much but did want to let us know that he personally knew a lot about the donor and that the family needs more time; they are apparently having difficulty with this....which, I mean who wouldn't. Apparently the transplant center will let us know when the time is appropriate.

I went back down to see mom this morning. I wanted to catch the doctors during their 9am to 11am rounds to get an update. The surgeon said she is doing great. She was still sedated but responsive when we saw her yesterday. They finished surgery around 3pm. She had her breathing tube removed at 9pm last night. As of 9am this morning she was awake, totally alert and talkative, sitting up (kind of), and she looked better than she has in 6 months. She loved drinking without sipping this morning. She'd forgotten what it was like to actually drink and not be worried about her fluid intake =).

Trying to think what else.....

My brother did not show up to see her into surgery. Made me pretty po'd with him. Then today in the ICU he was sitting in her room picking scabs on his legs. She tols him to stop and that he can't do that in there and he refused. I told himt o quit and go wash his hands. I think he is going to be more of a challenge than the transplant itself. =( The nurses, dietician, my mom, and I all tried to convince him to quit smoking as it is detrimental to my moms health. He basically told us we have to pay for him to do it then he said he'd try to cut back but he wasn't quitting cold turkey. That sure is helpful. I'm trying not to get to upset with him, I just have a hard time of it.

I am trying to coordinate getting my moms house sanitized and the floor replaced where the upstairs neighbors water heater flooded it. Hoping I can get this done before she gets home.

I am researching air purifiers to keep in her house. If anyone has suggestions please let me know. The ones I reviewed online say the kill mold, bacteria, flu, allergies, pollen, etc... but only in a room up to 250 feet. Not sure if I just need to buy 1 or 2 or 3 or what? That are not cheap. I'm just so worried about her having a risk of sickness after she gets home.

All in all, she has done soooo much better than I expected already. I know there is still a long, long ways to go, but I am feeling like God is in control and that we just need to go 1 day at a time and everything will work out.

Oh on a last note....the Kidney doctor came by today after I left and said that her Kidney's look great. Apparently they are working just like they need to. How awesome is that!!!!!!!

Also, did anyone use a 'pillow' to press against their abdomen/incision area once they got home? My mom says it helps to press a pillow against her abdomen when she has to cough. Apparently the nurses are having her do that when they make her cough. My mom would like a pillow for at home but is worried about it being sterile since it will be in such close proximity to her.

If you guys have questions or if I forgot anything please let me know.

Thank you all so so so much for your support and well wishes!!!!!!!!

GOD IS GOOD!!!

Sara

Excellent news so far, Sara. I'll bet you are exhausted, both physically and mentally. Your brother is going to be the biggest obstacle. The best she can do, short of kicking him out, is to insist that he keep his germs to his room. She really needs to limit contact with him since he is so unsanitary. That's a good idea about the air purifier. I don't know if you would need 2 or more, but there should be a store rep you can talk to who can tell you.

YES to the pillow when coughing. You don't want her to open the wound or develop a hernia. Have you actually SEEN her belly? She is cut from one side to the other and it hurts to cough for awhile. The pillow doesn't have to be sterile...just reasonably clean with a fresh pillow case on it. I also have pillow covers that go on over the pillow before the pillow case.

Thanks so much for the update! I'm so pleased that your mom got this second chance at life. I hope that she continues to improve daily, but don't be surprised if there are glitches along the way. They're pretty common.

Hugs,
Connie

Great news about the TP. Your TP Co-ordinator will give you the information on how to thank the family. if it is not offered to you, ask.

Godspeed with your mothers healing!!
Debbie

Better to err on the side of caution, but unless you have bronchitis or pneumonia, it doesn't hurt to cough. Just cover your mouth. Same with sneezing. Once she is discharged and going for labs, she will need to wear a mask. Anywhere there are lots of people you don't know, or even one you know is ill, it's best for her to wear the mask. And yes, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for signs of redness, hotness, infection. Does she have staples?

It sounds like she is doing really well thus far. I couldn't believe how pink my complexion was right after transplant. It's due to the increased blood flow. It gradually diminishes, though.

It seems she is in very good hands .

Sara, I believe they are called pillow covers and they come 2 to a package. You should be able to get them at a large Target or Walmart. Mine were given to me. It just adds another barrier of protection and can be thrown in the washer along with the pillow cases.

Thanks so much for updating us. Take some vitamin C. You are probably run down.

Hugs,
Connie

Don't forget to add a good night's sleep.

Big hugs,
Connie

Sara, did she ever have problems with her heart or heart valves previously? If so, she would have a higher risk of developing endocarditis or infection of the valves. Here's a link to info that is easy to read:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000681.htm

Does she have a fever or been running one? I pray this bug hasn't migrated to her heart and that they can clear the infection with massive antibiotics. This is a serious situation, so I hope she's a fighter.

Hugs,
Connie

This is worrisome

Mike had sepsis diagnosis prior to transplant and got vancomycin and flagyl iv.

They switched him to pills in a week

But that was before

Praying for good news

Carol