I had my transplant at UPMC in June 2012. I am from Miami and I ended up at Pitt after various hospitals denied me because I was "high risk" (I needed a double lung AND liver transplant). When I arrived to Pitt, I was a mess. I had Splenomegaly, liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, thrombocytopenia, esophageal varices, CFRD and renal failure & on dialysis.
The doctors here are AMAZING. They care deeply and sincerely for their patients. Mine changed some meds in my treatment and had me start pulmonary rehab while I waited. My wait was expected to be long since I needed both lungs, liver and possibly kidneys, all from the same person to minimize rejection. On top of that, I am very petite (4'11 & 80 lbs).
I started this new regimen and miraculously about 14 months after my arrival, my kidneys began to function, no more dialysis and my pft's had improved so much that I was moved to the inactive lung list. In other words, I no longer needed a lung transplant and a kidney transplant was no longer part of the plans! Eight months later, I received my liver transplant.
It's now been 2 months and I'm still here but it won't be for long.
While I waited, I also stayed at Family House and by the way, made unbelievable and life long friendships. It does cost but you can qualify for a discounted rate. UPMC is located in Oakland- its basically the hospitals and the universities, literally, there's places to eat everywhere you go.
And about the wait, in the 2 years that I have lived here, I have seen people wait as little as 10 days. Like it was said before, it all depends on how severely sick you are.
GOOD LUCK!