Liver Transplant Evaluation Results

Hello everyone

I just wanted to give an update on Robert's results for his liver transplant evaluation at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.  I must say, we were very impressed with their professionalism, tactfulness, politness, etc.  They are the absolute best! Excellent Doctors!

Well, there is good news and somewhat bad news if you can call it that.  The good news is, Robert's health overall is great.  All his tests were negative.  No heart problems, no lung problems, no infectious diseases and no cancer or tumors!  Praise the lord on that!  The only problem he has is his liver problems.  The bad news, Robert is sick enough where he qualifies for a transplant.  However, they said that if his quality of life remains the same as it is now and he doesn't become more sick, chances are, he could go on living with what he has and perhaps not get the transplant.  If he does become more sick, develops cancer, etc. then he should probably think about transplant.  They want him to get listed as soon as possible.  He cannot get listed because he needs to complete a chemical dependency program first.  Not AA but this type of program which is a different approach, I guess.  He admitted to the social worker that he did not like going to AA because he doesn't like hearing other people's current or past problems and that it depresses him more to hear it.  So with him saying that, they recommended he attend this outpatient chemcial dependency program instead of AA.  Good news, Robert is all for it! Woohoo!

So we had an overall pleasent experience.  No kidding on the long days.  They were very exhausting!  We had to be at Mayo about 6:15am every day and our days ended about 4:30-5:00pm.  But well worth every minute!  Robert was so happy that he went and is willing to be compliant with everything they are asking.  He had to sign a Transplant Program Abstinence Contract and he did that.  Thank you everyone for your support, thoughts and prayers! As always, I will continue to read and post!

shel,

Great news that he is going to be listed for transplant! Im glad the long days are over for you both. Now try to catch up on your rest:) take care

Congratulations on your husbands listing.  He now joins the rest of us on a tough journey.  I too was placed on the list but told that if my health remained the same (only liver problems) that I could be on for a long time.  I will not mince words....the waiting is hell.  Be prepared for a quality of life that is affected by the meds side effects, the frustration and impatience of having a chronic illness, a loss of independence, missing work and feeling worthwhile (at least in my case...I am on disability).  THE most important things to concentrate on are that he is in the hands of the MAYO CLINIC (all transplant patients should be so fortunate) he has a wonderful support group (that's you sweetie! and others you might not have told us about), and that it is expected that he be frustrated, impatient, feel crapy, etc., etc., etc.!  So hang in there!  Focus on the positive you can find.  Deal with the negative in the best way you can.  And most important...let God know you are depending on him.

Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving.  Thanks everyone for your positive thoughts and kind words.  Thank goodness Robert is doing well and maintaining good health the best he can.  Even though he is listed, I realize that it could be a very long time before he gets a transplant.  I have told the folks at Mayo that I would consider being a living donor if I qualify for it and he becomes really sick but no sick enough according to their numbers.  I guess we'll just take things day by day and make the best out of each day. Robert receives his social security disability and his retirement so he stays home and rests most of the time.  He usually runs errands around town and does a few things around the yard when he is up to it.  I tell him to try to do things to keep his mind off things and keep busy when he feels good.   Lucky for him (ha! ha!), I'm younger than him and I work a full time job with good benefits and decent pay.  I always say to myself that I hold two full time jobs, my regular job and then my full time caregiver job.  But you know what, I wouldn't have it no other way!  I love my husband dearly and will do whatever it takes to help him through his illness.  We've been through hell and back the last 11 months, but hey, no one told us life would be full of roses, right?  Take care everyone and keep in touch!