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Father Year Post Transplant Today

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Posted 9/5/2013 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Today my Father is one year post transplant. He has Hep C and had (so grateful to use the past tense) HCC. He received his transplant on 9/4/12 at the Mayo Clinic in Jax.

His has had a few bumps in the road to recovery he but overall continues to do well -- even played 22 holes of golf this weekend. That being said, a few months ago his ALT and AST elevated suddenly, from both being in the normal range to the low hundreds. The TP coordinator took the wait and see approach and after a few weeks the levels began to go down. While the AST and ALT are still not in the normal range, they are holding steady about 5-10 over normal. I am curious as to why this happens. Has anyone had a similar experience?

We are headed to Mayo the first week on October for my Father's one year check up. He had scans at 4 and 8 months and all came back clear but I am still anxious. I will keep you posted on the results.

I don't post a lot, but read the board often. I wish all of you continued good health.
Posted 9/5/2013 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations to your dad on his 1 year post transplant anniversary!!! So glad to hear that your dad is doing well. I can't answer why his AST and ALT are slightly elevated, but I am sure your amazing team of doctors will continue to monitor him closely.
Posted 9/5/2013 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
 Welcome and congrats to your dad. One of our mods or experienced recipients should be along anytime to give you some help with info.

 Ziff

Posted 9/5/2013 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi jck76,
How is your dads viral load? Also, how does he feel in general? I'm 4 years out from a transplant, but the first 3 were up and down. Mostly up, but when things weren't working well, I knew something was wrong, even before the blood work was done.
Posted 9/5/2013 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats to dad Jack. So nice to hear happy news for a change. Gives us all hope :)

All the best!
Posted 9/5/2013 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JCK

One year anniversary is big! We had a party for Mike.
Congrats.


At one year Mike's LFTs had been up and down. And...his viral load for Hep C zoomed to over 57 million Yes, you read that right.

So they did a liver biopsy that was not 100% helpful. Either he was having an acute rejection episode OR his Hep C was out of control

They added cellcept to his prograf for extra antirejection support and his LFTs came down. His viral load is about 6 million but still up and down

I calculated his MELD at 8.

His biopsy showed no cirrhosis.

Since last year the recommendation for a next step has been Hep C treatment, but they have been slow to start a regimen with Interferon.

His AST/ALT was 48/53 last week which is amazingly good for Mike.

He just had a 2 year liver biopsy last Friday.

And he has been approached about a post TP drug trial at Jackson. Fingers crossed that his liver is still in good shape and he is accepted for trial..

Best,

Mama Lama

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 9/5/2013 4:41:14 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/5/2013 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Jct, and congrats to your dad on reaching the 1-yr. mark. I am coming up on 2 yrs. the end of next month, and will be having an abdominal MRI, liver biopsy, and whatever else they decide to do. I've had a lot of chest x-rays and CTs recently, so those won't have to be done, and neither will labs.

Have they mentioned treatment to your dad? I still have hep C, but because I've had (and still have) a multitude of health problems, they are holding off, even though it's destroying my liver. I'm beginning to think I will never be able to have treatment, as problems keep popping up.

I would guess that your dad's elevation in enzymes is due to his hep C. My enzymes are also out of normal range. My AST is 114 and ALT 51. Watch for his AFP and whether it is going up. That would be an indication of HCC.

Wishing you both all the best. Please do let us know the results of his yearly exams. I also go to Mayo Jax, but expect my 2-yr. f/u will be mid to late Oct. If it turns out to be earlier in the month, maybe we can get together. I do know that I will be down there on Oct. 8th and 10th.

All the best to both of you.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/6/2013 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know what my father's viral load is but I'll be sure to ask at the one year check up. I'm sure treatment will be discussed. At the last appointment, the doctors said they wanted to hold off until the new treatments become available.
Posted 9/7/2013 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
New treatment availability will probably be early next year, Jct. What is your dad's genotype? I think that genotype 2 and 3 can be treated sooner. (Barry, correct me if I'm wrong!)

Hugs,
Connie
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