Posts by ironnomad13

Michelle Davis said:So... about three months ago (Jan 6, 2011)...

I had a liver transplant. I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis when I was 15, and after eight years, I finally got a new liver. At Wells Fargo Medical Center, they did a split liver donation, and I received the left lobe. My treatment and recovery at the hospital lasted until March 13, 2011—it felt like a long time compared to the other patients. I dealt with complications from fluid buildup in my abdomen, which I'm still managing with diuretics; the swelling is visibly going down, and the ultrasound confirmed it. Then, just a month after the transplant, I had to go back into surgery twice because my bile ducts ruptured in several places. Now that I'm finally home—it's only been 20 days—I'm going in for checkups every single week. Unfortunately, at my last appointment, the doctor told me my blood work wasn't looking great. The GGT levels are what worry me most; they were high at 457 before, but now they've jumped to 641, which is terrifying! I'm so scared because he said it might be nothing, but it could also mean there's an issue with the bile ducts again, which might require a stent or even more surgery. And there's even a small chance—though rare—that because of the autoimmune disease, the liver could face hepatitis issues again. Regardless, I just hope it’s nothing, because I don't want to go back to the hospital. Especially since I feel so good... I can walk, I'm eating as much as I can (I lost so much weight, down to only 101 lbs, but I'm trying to gain it back), and I love being out walking, though always wearing a mask. I just want to live a normal life again! I have another follow-up this Thursday with an ultrasound and Doppler, and then I'll know what those blood results actually mean. I'm terrified, but I'm trying to stay positive and hope everything turns out okay!🙂
To anyone else who has had a liver transplant, please, I'm asking from the bottom of my heart, share your experiences with me and anyone else waiting for their turn. Any info on treatment, recovery, diet, complications, sex life, how much physical strain is allowed, or anything else would be so incredibly helpful.

I really hope your liver condition has improved, especially since those test results weren't great.
My dad also received a liver transplant at Wells Fargo Medical Center back in 2009.
He spent 30 days in the hospital after the transplant and had a few minor setbacks, like arrhythmia and high blood sugar.
For the first year, he went in for checkups every two or three weeks. Now, he just goes once a year. If there's anything you need to know, I can try to help in plain English... just ask.

Best wishes, stay strong!!

Justin Bishop58 said:Five months ago, I lost my brother to a stroke at just 27. That night, when the news broke, the doctors asked if we wanted to donate his organs. My dad and I agreed. He didn't have a donor card, but I was certain it was what he would have wanted—and I still feel that way today. He donated his liver, I believe his pancreas, and—what’s been hardest for me personally—his eyes. I couldn't bring myself to see him after it happened; I just knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. What has actually brought me some peace, though, is an article I read about organ transplants. It talked about how recipients sometimes claim to experience, remember, or sense things they never lived through themselves. My brother was a wonderful person with an incredibly positive outlook on life. A true optimist who embraced everything, even when things weren't going great. The idea that someone out there might see the world through his eyes, with that same positivity, gives me a strange kind of comfort. So, yes, I am firmly in support of organ donation.

BRAVO, seriously, much respect to you for thinking of others during such a hard time...
If only more people were this kind...
You have my deepest respect, truly...

Scott Allen10 said:🙂....that's not actually true....organ donation rates in the US have been right up there at the top of the European charts over the last few years...

Yeah, things have been looking up over the last couple of years... before that, it was just constant struggle...
There was that poll recently in the city... on that 8th Floor show. What exactly is a donor card? Most people seemed to have some idea, but...
Does anyone actually have their own DK? Not a single person I asked had one...
Unfortunately...
In my opinion, people here in America are still pretty out of the loop on this topic...

wearyviper25 said:I’ve heard about those donor cards—you know, the ones where you state your wish to donate your organs if you pass away. Apparently, the family still has to give their consent, which I guess makes it an incredibly heavy decision for them, though honestly, it's pretty admirable.
Anyway, so many people are stuck on transplant waiting lists, so why not help someone out? At least we can make things easier by having that card ready.

I actually brought this up on another forum once, and the responses were basically:

"You’d have to hand over all your medical history, and who knows how long they'll let you live once they realize your heart is a perfect match for someone else."

"I’m all for it, and if I knew I was 100% protected from being exploited, I’d sign up tomorrow. But... I don't know, being a woman, I just feel like we're all just numbers to them. Whether it's some politician, a tycoon, a capitalist, or some predator in trouble, they'll buy whatever they want—just not our organs."

What do you guys think?

Sorry if this topic has already been covered. These search tools are pretty clunky.

You don't need to provide any medical data at all!!!!
And obviously, you are protected from all that nonsense people post on forums about abuse!! Speaking from my own experience, no amount of money in this world can find you an organ if it isn't available through UNOS!!!!!!!!
Next time you see your primary care doctor, just ask for a donor card. You just write your name, date of birth, and a contact person you want notified in case of your death along with their phone number, and then you sign it.
P.S. And let a family member know you took the card.
It's really simple... and above all, it's humane!!!

I am definitely IN FAVOR of organ donation after brain death. A family member of mine actually received a transplant two years ago...
Last year, I finally got my donor card sorted out too (go me!), though it’s such a shame there isn't more interest in donating here in the States.
Even though the law says anyone who hasn't opted out is a potential donor, doctors here always make sure to get the family's consent first...