Helping deal with the depression while waiting/praying for TP

WD, dad is hanging in there. He is in bed or on the couch most of the day as he has little energy and the swelling in his feet don't allow for much more.

He is also getting a paracentesis procedure much more frequently now (Every other week) But mentally he seems to be staying as strong as possible knowing that he needs to try and hold on.

Freedom, thank you very much for the inspiration on your journey. I am glad that after such a rough time you finally made it to a transplant. How do you feel months later now? I hope you are enjoying life again.

My dad is struggling with the same guilt so to speak of putting his family through this, but also he feels he doesn't want to get any worse to the point he can not take care of himself. His father was bed ridden after an accident and had to be cared for for almost 10 years. I think seeing that made my father never want to live that way.

I am just glad he was able to let us help him, and I can honestly say knowing he is dual listed let's me sleep a little better at night. I just often wake up in the morning hoping today is the day. But I am also realistic and after reading your story...know that I can not get impatient 4 months in. When this can be a very long journey.

Oh my god!!!!! I am freaking out! We just got the call from Iowa! I am on my way to pick him up then head right over. I was in the middle of a meeting and stormed out.

I will update when I arrive!

Good Luck Man!!

Well, MamaLama is having one of her big cries...I am sooo happy this may be the day, they are tears of joy for your Dad and your family. Things move quickly when you get the call. Aren't you glad your bag was packed? Keep us posted when you can. I'm so thankful he is listed at Iowa. Hugs, ML

I am so glad you went ahead and listed at Iowa. Their wait times are so much shorter than places like Chicago, and no one thinks about them.

I hope this is not a dry run. If all goes well we will hopefully be hearing about a great recovery over the next few days.

Keep us updated as you can! I know you will be busy. :)

Good luck! We can't wait to hear how things go.

Hi Lostson,

It happened the same way for us too - I got the call while I was at a meeting with my child's teacher - my mom had an offer! Ran out of there as fast as I could. Having my mom dual listed was the best thing we did! If we didn't, she would of never received a liver in our home state. I am extremely thankful, every single day, for the donor and his/her family as well as the amazing transplant team that my mom has!

Ask your transplant coordinator or transplant team social worker any questions you may have about lodging, food and any other things that you may need these nest few days. You will be spending lots of time at the hospital while your dad is in ICU and then gets moved back to the transplant recovery floor.
Some people say that this is the best time for you to get rest - while your dad is being cared for by the nurses and staff. I however, wanted to be there for my mom and stayed with my mom (went back to the hotel at night to sleep). I asked the nurses lots of questions and actually learned ALOT being in the ICU and on the transplant floor. You do what ever makes you feel comfortable.

I am extremely happy for your dad, you and your family. Your dad has worked very hard to get here…he went to all his required classes, kept a positive attitude and has the will to want to live…he has come really far and will continue to go far! I will keep you, your family and especially your dad in my thoughts and prayers.

Keep us posted when you can

-WD

Alex, This is wonderful news. I am very emotional hearing about your Dad's chance at life. What a great gift he has been given. Please giver your Mother and siblings my regards and encouragement. Themister is excited to hear the details! Thanks for letting us all know. We care...Big Hugs

Hi.
My mom was in ICU for less than 2 days and then on the transplant floor for 5 days. In total, she was in the hospital for 7 days.
I understand exactly how you are feeling -my belly was in knots the entire time. It was difficult to stay focused - mentally, I felt exhausted but emotionally I kept going from being happy and excited to worried and anxious. Again, these are all normal emotions.
Surgery time varies from patient to patient. My mother was in surgery for about 6-7 hours.

Alex,

Mike was in surgery over 12 hours from the point where the liver was deemed viable, to the point where they closed. There are a lot of connections.

When we got to see him, and you may be at this point already, he had tubes everywhere....nasal gastric, vent, cath, all kinds of IVs and an arterial line as well. And the drain (or drains).Plus how ever many drips they need for meds and fluids.

Mike was in ICU for 5 days. On the TP floor 2 or 3 days.

There is a bunch of training about the meds...so many meds. Twice a day, three times a day, three times a week,once a week, insulin sometimes, befor emeals, with meals, etc etc. I was overwhelmed for a bit, but it got easier.

And that darn drain...all the fluids that were still floating around in the cavity. It has to be emptied for abut a week or so....they do it in the hospital and then you do it after he comes home until they take it out and stitch up that last part.

The incision is HUGE. And Mike had a huge incision in his groin where they rerouted his blood for a while during the surgery.

Mike wasn't interested in eating for almost 5 days....just what they gave him IV. Maybe his was a rough surgery, some are saying they were on the TP floor in 2 days.

WD told you they do lots of tests, some go back to OR for minor fixes or to drain hematomas.

One of the others said the will release the patient as soon as they can....hospitals are germ factories, so out is good.. BUT, nearby is essential as they do bloods every couple of days and want to keep a keen eye on any complications...a lot is at stake. While rejection is rare, if it come, it most often comes right away and they can deal with it best when you are close by. We went home about 5 days after he got out of the hospital, but had to come back 2x a week for a while. That was hard and we were closer than you are. They will have to work tht out with you...what protocol they recommend in your particular case.

I agree with the recommendation that you get your sleep. They pay a shift to be awake all night and they will call you quickly if there is a crisis. You need to sleep. And eat. And take your own meds. And if you Mom is with you, be sure she is also. I took time very evening to go to a nice dinner with my sister and Mike's daughter and grand daughter...all with me at the hospital. We had like a normal don't think about it for an hour time, the little one then did tv, bath and bed and I went back to the hospital for the evening. I stayed until he settled and then went back to hotel for a shower and snooze.

Let us hear how he is doing....especially at first.

Hugs, Carol

Alex, Any update? Thinking of your Dad and your family. Update when you can, ok? Big Hugs