Liver Transplant

Hi guys.. I haven't logged on to this in a while but was just wondering if anyone has had a liver transplant? I am 20 yrs old have severe CF related liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (Cancer) on my liver and have been waiting almost 6 months for a transplant. I'm really frustrated now because while I am at the very top (No.1) on the list for my size, blood group and priority, I am getting sicker in the mean time. I am in and out of hospital every 2 weeks or so with recurrent chest infections and am just so fed up of it all!
I'm supposed to be working at keeping my lungs fit for surgery but because of the fluid I retain and the size of my liver and spleen not to mention my frequent episodes of DIOS, I am finding it hard to breathe sometimes and this is affecting my exercise tolerance and ability to mobilise but despite that, my lung function thankfully is 53% at the moment (baseline usually being about 60%) and SpO2 saturations are between 95 and 98%... but haemoptysis is a regular occurance and I'm on tranexamic acid to reduce the likelihood of a serious bleed as I had oesophigeal varices banded a couple of years ago and also have some in my bowl that aren't banded. At the moment I'm in hospital on IVs for yet another chest infection and DIOS.
I am underweight (48 kg or 105 lbs) , on PEG feed overnight and 4 high calorie supplement drinks during the day, as well as my own oral intake. I find it very difficult to maintain the weight as it fluctuates with the ascites (fluid) and my appetite in general is not as good as it used to be, I seem to have lost interest even though I love food., the enjoyment I once got from eating is gone. It's turned into a chore.!
I also have CFRD and am on an insulin pump. My blood sugars are eratic and impossible to control. Sometimes I get really insulin resistant for no reason, and my sugars wouldn't stabilise for days... then they return to normal again. My only reasoning for that I can come up with for this is that the liver and pancreas work together and one is failing, the other organ suffers along with it. As if the poor pancreas wasn't dodgey enough lol it doesn't make enzymes, it doesn't make insulin... what does it do?? ha. probably so damaged that it's replaced by fatty tissue by now.
I have a constant itch that never goes away and cannot be treated or helped with an medication.. Antihistamines will not work for it because it is not an allergy induced itch, it is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood cells. My skin is ripped to shreds <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
I'm jaundiced. Yellow eyes and "tanned" skin. It's embarrassing and I wish it would go away.. it's worse when I get an infection. Also caused by bilirubin.
My tummy is MASSIVE because of everything going on there with the size of the organs and the fluid. I can't get clothes to fit me so I wear baggy stuff for my own comfort and to hide my belly.. it's had a huge affect on my confidence for many years but it is only now within the last 8 months that my health is deteriorating at a faster pace, that I've learned to accept it and deal with it and to not be ashamed. But nevertheless people still stare and make comments, I often get asked if I am pregnant and it does upset me when I see the looks and hear the remarks.

Is there anbody else in the same boat?? Would love to talk to somebody going through the same thing.
I get extremely fatigued and the lack of energy is unexplainable. I don't know what to do. I want to be fit for surgery when it happens but at the rate I can't help but worry that the call will come for the liver and I would be declared unfit. I would miss out on the opportunity.
 

Aboveallislove

Super Moderator
You have so much going on--I can't even imagine how hard this is. You must be exhausted from everything while you wait for your new liver. I'm not in your situation so i don't have any practical things, but think there must be some out there who just didn't see your post--they move down so quick in the line, so wanted to give this a bump up. Sending you a hug and prayers as well.
 
You're right , this thing moves pretty fast!! Thank you so much for replying to post , even if you're not going through the same (I'm glad you're not <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) It is extremely exhausting, I know I babbled on for ages but felt good to get it off my chest and just say it. Hopefully someone will have some advice. They told me today that they'd like to keep me in hospital til I have the transplant, but I'm reluctant.
 

yogibear1967

New member
Yes, my son 19 has cirrohsis of the liver, enlarged slpeen, insulin diabetic, hemalosis and is fed up also! Yellow and acites. A year and a half ago his lung function was 110% now it is 30%, huge change so quickly. He is going through the last testing for a liver/lung transplant. They want to follow him for the next 6months, I guess to decide if he will be mentally ready/compliant. He has been very aggitated and told the PT that the doctors were idiots. He cannot do these things or they will not approve him for a transplant. He is so angry, he goes in the hospital Jan 2012 for week and a half then out for 2wks then in then out and hasn't stopped, so no time to recoup. I kept asking as he was decreasing if he was ready for transplant and they kept saying no, and now we are looking at a liver/lung transplant. How are you doing now?
 

Robert-Gibson

New member
You have so much going on. I can't even think about how difficult this is. You must be worn out from everything while you delay for your new liver organ. I'm not in your scenario so i don't have any realistic factors, but think there must be some out there who just didn't see your post--they shift down so fast in the range, so desired to provide this a push up. Delivering you a hug and wishes as well.
 
T

tom1989

Guest
How are you now? You have to do a liver transplant? I know it is very painful, life have caused a lot of inconvenience for you. I have a friend like you troubles, but he had a Liver transplant in Singapore, there has been a change of his life. With the help of the doctor, he is now the basic recovery. This is not a fairy tale. It did happen.
 
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