I just found out that my GFR level is 81.4 and should be around 107. 81.4 is closer to the levels of someone around 70 years old =(. I am 33 years old, white, and healthy otherwise. Just trying to do...
As many of you know, with liver failure often comes the dark purpler spots/bruises on your arms. My mother is now just shy of 3 months post-transplant and still seems to be getting new purple spots...
She had surgery May 5th and was ok'd to drive June 14th. The airbag thing makes sense. I don't think my mom knows about that. I will have to ask her. Sara...
Just thought I'd post an update for everyone. July 5th will be my moms 2 month transplant anniversary. At her labs this morning her doctor told her he's stunned by her recovery and that he wished...
Can anyone provide the email address of this 'documentary' person? I wouldn't mind sharing my experience if they wanted it. Thanks - Sara...
That is what I plan to do David. Thank you. Sara...
Thanks everyone. At this point we are apparently not speaking. I guess she can handle it all herself. Oh wait, she just texted me. She wants the info for the carpet guy so he can finish the floor. A...
Connie - I'm so sorry to hear about these issues. You are such a trooper. I know you will get through it. Try to rest and take care of yourself. Sara...
so she ended up texting me back today saying that the nurse was going to come by tonight to do the IV antibiotics and that I did not need to come back. that is pretty awesome. i had told her when i...
Jeff - I am so pleased to hear this! Not everyone hits such a reality. Your children are going to thank you for this. Sara...
Well the saga continues........ My mom is right back to enabling my brother. I have sacrificed my work and my family to be there for her and she is right back to where she was. she is not holding him...
You are awesome Carol! My brother has anxiety and takes a form of Xanax for it. However, he was a pill popper in his younger years and I believe he is overmedicating himself. I am planning on...
We took the transplant education class this morning. My mom wanted my brother to attend as he is her 'primary caregiver' according to her. Well, yeah...........he slept through the whole...
I knew you'd understand how amazing it is! I tried telling some folks but people who don't understand the liver and transplant situation don't seem to get the magnitude of this. We really believe...
UPDATE: As of earlier this morning my mom's infection is GONE!!!!! Unbelievable!!!! Infectious disease guy came in around 11am today and said that no bacteria showed up in her blood per new labwork....
she did have the peritonitis prior to transplant. does that change anything Connie. I just feel like noting that I tried to get her to go into the hospital 2 days before she did. Had she not been so...
right before the surgery the other liver transplant surgeons came in to check on her because of the infection. one doctor did say she was septic. is having the bacteia in your blood the same thing as...
she had no issues with her heart before. everything checked out perfectly. she does not have a fever and still is not running one. that is the weird part right. they are already pumping in the...
So we've hit a complication. Prior to the surgery she had peritonitis. The morning of the transplant the labs finally came back and it showed that the bacteria from the peritonitis had gotten into...
You are too kind Connie. I think a hot shower and some Vitamin C sound perfect!!!!!! Sara...
Thanks everyone. She had the surgery friday morning/afternoon. They think she will be out of ICU on Monday. Connie - Where do you get pillow liners? Is that something Target carries? No, I have not...
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...
Thanks you guys! You are too awesome! Such an emotional day! Sara...
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...
A higher MELD is better. It means you are higher priority on the transplant list. My mothers has flucted from a 26 to a 16 and back a few times. Sara...
She is going in to the ER tomorrow for another paracentesis. I'll have her ask the doc about an itching prescription. Thanks for your suggestions! I am also going to try to get her on some Ensure....
My mother is having a lot of trouble with nausea, vomitting, and dry heaves. She does not appear to be throwing up blood, which is good. Anyone with ESLD experienced this? Any suggestions as to...
Xifaxan worked wonders on my mom. Hopefully your moms co-pay will be minimal, as Xifaxan is very expensive but well worth it. To reinforce what everyone else has said, definitely find a hepatologist...
Doctors finally mentioned TIPS today. They don't have it scheduled yet, but it looks like its going to happen. I know a few of the folks on here have experience with it. Any advice is appreciated. I...
Apparently the Octreotide works to open up the veins and allow for better blood flow. From what I read, because the liver is such a large organ, there is a very sizable vein that allows blood flow...
got an answer......it is for portal hypertension....
This is what they are giving my mom. I am reading up on it but it's not making much sense. She has had pretty bad diarrhea and they have halted the lactulose because of it. The data I'm reading on...
As much as we love our kids / grandkids they sure are good at sharing germs! Hope Mike kicks this bug with no complications!!! Sara...
My mom went back to the ER today to have another paracentesis. She has gained 20 pounds of ascitic fluid in 9 days. Additionally, she is having lower back pain that appears to be related to kidney...
I'm not frustrated. At least not yet. I already know that we are lucky to have relatively quick waiting periods where we are located so that in itself is a blessing. It turns out my moms score...
Yarrow - My mother has recurring bouts of ascites and takes many, if not all of the meds already listed in previous posts. However, my mom also has the paracentesis done fairly regularly to relieve...
So after not falling asleep til 1:30 am last night, I got a call at 2:30 am from the transplant center. They tried my mom first but she didn't answer so they called me. They old me that a liver had...
As you guys all know, my mom is literally waiting for an at any second transplant phone call. To make matters worse, on Friday night the condo above her had a water heater burst and it flooded my...
very helpful.....thank you! Sara...
My mom is lucky that her VA insurance pays for Xifaxan 100%!!!!!! And let me tell you what.......Xifaxan is a miracle drug! From where she was the few days before she started it to where she was...
Cat - I would be skepital too. If he is retaining fluid (ascites) and his MELD is a 22, I would be very concerned. Have you contacted a liver specialist directly? Was the doctor in the hospital a...
I've got her doing 1.5 spoons each time now. She had a really good, clear day today.....or as clear as someone with ammonia and HE can have. Does anyone take Xifaxan? Sara...
ok i'm going to increase her lactulose. hopefully that'll help. thanks everyone. sara...
I don't really have the anger with my mom, but I think that is because I already learned that it is pointless when we dealt with my dads health for so long. I was angry at him for so much and for so...
Hi All - I've barely even begun the caregiver status for my mom, and I am already drained. It is so hard to remain patient and supportive all the time, and to re-explain the same thing multiple times...
she is on lactulose. she takes 3-4 tablespoons per day. Her bowel movements are frequent and they did not say that she needed to increase it. She has had issues with ammonia already, but this new...
So here is an update..... We went to the ER this morning. She was very confused. Turns out her sodium is better at 125 so the confusion is not due to low sodium. The liver doctor said that she is...
you could come down here and live with my mom. Then I could take care of both of you. =) Maybe I could send my brother back to your house and get him out of the way LOL! sounds like a win-win...
Thanks. I'm glad to hear this isn't totally uncommon. She has had 4 paracentesis's and this is the only one that has had drainage afterwards. It was a little weird for us. We couldn't figure out...
we ended up using womens pads as well. i took her home and got her situated. she was soaking the pads I had in about an hour but she was sitting up. she is lying down now and the draining has slowed...