Liver transplant in Tampa

sis, Welcome to the HW liver forum. WE are a group of patients and loved ones affected by various liver diseases.

We have not had anyone post in from Tampa while I've been moderating the board. Try the SEARCH button on the blue line above and put in key words like "liver transplant Tampa" and see if something older comes up. It sorts the threads by topic.

Welcome to the forum. We have had some medical tourists come to FL for the lower MELD scores at tranaplant...mostly for Mayo at JAX. The key is always which insurance you have (or a wheelbarrow of money works) to get into Mayo Jacksonville. Recently, the poster Shimbare came to FL for an evaluation and she is going to try a second center next. The MELDS at transplant at MGH are very HIGH and some cannnot wait that long.

My partner was transplanted almost 4 years ago at Jackson in Miami in the mid 20s with Hep C. HCC. and Alcoholic Cirrhosis. He was a sick dude. He has had some post TP complications mostly due to the rapid return of Hep C and some cardiac issues. He was treated for the Hep C this year and is now doing pretty well.

We also had a member transplanted in Orlando...though I don't think they do that many liver tps.

We have some members who are Mass General patients and I am sure they will pop in to say hi and tell you about their investigation of Florida as a destination for transplantation.

Let us hear how you are doing and if brother is our Tampa "pioneer" we want to hear everything.

Hugs,

Mama Lama

themiz, you are totally right. I forgot about Splashdancer......they had a good exprerience in Tampa...it was just that Robert was so ill already. ML

I had a transplant at MGH 5 1/2 years back. At one point Dr. Pratt recommended I talk to Mayo in Jacksonville and I did. Didn't end up going there for several reasons, mainly I was too sick and money was tight. Now, I'm glad I stayed at MGH. I know a gastroenterologist at Tampa and he said they have a good program, though he's not involved with it. He also said MGH and Johns Hopkins are the top 2 transplant clinics on the east coast.

I was told by Dr. Pratt's PA, that if I received a transplant somewhere other than MGH, he would no longer treat me. That may have changed and other hepatologists at MGH will treat someone that has gone elsewhere. It's up to each doc.

There's no harm in checking other transplant clinics, but in my mind, MGH is outstanding. Plus, having to travel back and forth for a transplant and follow up afterwards is expensive. And, it takes a while to recover from the operation. I wouldn't want to fly back and forth to Florida to be examined. They want you to stick around from 2-6 weeks after the transplant if all goes well. Then you need to return every month or two for a year.

If you, or your brother would like to talk, email me by clicking on the envelope below my name and I'll send you my phone number.

How am I doing after 5 1/2 years; great. I am a tile and stone installer, work everyday and do pretty much whatever I want. That's after having 48 weeks of interferon/ribivirin, 2 cerebral hemorrhages, 4 years of ESLD from 40 years of Hep C, a transplant and another 53 weeks of ribivirin/interferon. I have now been undetectable for Hep C for 3 years and all is well. Sounds like a lot, but it's in my rear view mirror now.

I like to see a lot of information when making decisions. We moved 1,000 miles when my husband was told he needs a transplant.

We wanted to live here as snowbirds part year eventually... and knew themister would need to be near good medical the rest of his life. Two years later, we wait :)

Here are some lists on Best Hospitals and the Best GI depts of hospitals. Sadly, trying to get a liver transplant at the top hospitals is tough, due to donor shortage in the areas with the top hospitals.

Hospital stats:

health.usnews.com/health-news/best-hospitals/articles/2014/07/15/best-hospitals-2014-15-overview-and-honor-roll?int=a01008

Best GI and Gastro Surgery in the country, but that does not mean they have organs enough to take care of the sick population.

health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery

My husband is on the transplant list at Mayo, AZ. Another great facility. They are #11 on the Gastro list and make offers in the MELD 27-28 range. They have excellent outcomes. Here is a link to Mayo AZ from srtr.

www.srtr.org/csr/current/Centers/TransplantCentersCompare.aspx?organcode=LI&c0=AZMC

If it becomes an issue, themister may dual list where lower MELDs are offered at transplant. I hope it doesn't...but it may.

How is your brother today? Are they in FL at this time? Know we are here for you. Big Hugs

Karen, Welcome to the Hep forum!

We are those with liver disease and those who love them. My husband is the one with a sick liver, and he is at Mayo AZ nearly 2 years on the transplant list.

Glad you found us. I see you had 2 dry runs. Frustrating, isn't it? Themister has had 4 since Jan. 16th. I think he should get a medal for that, or something.

We have a few folks here who are right where you are now...waiting for transplant. Please start a new thread with the "Post New Topic" button, and introduce yourself so others can get to know you. We are here for you. Big Hugs

Linda,

How nice to see your post! Sorry Dean needed some repair's, but happy he is doing well.

Did Dean ever start Hep C treatment? I bet he would do fine on the new treatment. Themister and I have a close friend 10 years post liver transplant.(Methodist in TX). His Hep C never did attack the new organ, but he was started with a Solvaldi treatment the end of 2014. Take good care of you both. Big Hugs