Transplant advice

[Nickyalsawwaf]

Hi everyone, I wrote on here a couple of months ago about my friend who had been diagnosed with cirrhosis due to being obese all her life. My friend was really poorly. Last week she was taken into hospital as her oxygen was low and her bloods were not good. She had been in a week and they moved her straight to leeds as she needs a transplant ,this has happened so quickly, I wondered if anyone knows what happens next?? Is this a long process? Will this be the start to make her better now or is it a long journey after this. She doesn't seem to know much about what's happening at all. I am looking after her son I am not sure what to tell him. Thank you. X

[janine541]

Hi I'm not really sure on the process of your friends treatment. But I do know she would have to be matched to a new liver.I wish you all well and her little boy .

If its st james she will have exellent care

[Kristian]

Usually assessment for transplant takes a few days, or if an inpatient about a week. Lots of blood yest, scans and other tests to see how urgently she needs a transplant and whether she is fit enough now to go through the procedure. Not fit in the sense can she run a marathon or anything, just is her body capable of going through what is quite an arduous procedure. Most people are by the way, so just because your friend is heavily overweight may not be a blocker to her having a transplant.

If she is listed for transplant the wait can be anything from a few hours to many months. How long is a bit of pot luck. Blood type is a key factor in wait time but the average is roughly around 3/4 months, but it can be much longer or much quicker, you just never can tell. For me it was 6 weeks. If she's a hospital patient then she may well be higher up the list of priority should an organ become available. They will though go through all this with her during her assessment. Does she have anyone with her in Leeds?

Going through an assessment may also determine that now may not actually be the right time for transplant. It may not actually be needed just yet, or the medical team may think there are still things they can try first. But assuming she does, then for me its been nothing but positive. Yes the recovery period is long, they usually advise not returning to work for at least 3 months, but full recovery can take much longer. You can though do most things you did before, you'll just get tired a lot quicker and you may have some niggles too.

There are lots of ifs and but associated with transplants. There are a tremendous number of variables to consider and I cannot shy away from the fact the procedure does come with significant risks. However, having said all that, the main question really is, "is it worth it?". My answer to that is always, "yes, absolutely". The difference it has made to my life has been tremendous. Even though it took me a while to recover, I felt the difference almost immediately.

I'm not sure how you would approach telling a child all this without overly worrying them. The British Liver Trust have a nurse led helpline and I'd suggest giving them a call to see what advice there is for your situation. I'm sure there are arrangements that can be made to enable your friend's son to be informed of things in a way that offers reassurance rather than concern. In the main transplants are really positive and its stressing that more than the risks I would imagine. Do therefore get in touch with the helpline.

Good luck to you.

[Nickyalsawwaf in reply to Kristian]

That was excellent and informative information and I really appreciate you taking the time to write it. Thank you and I am so happy that you are feeling better and doing well. I will do as you advise and again thank you. X

[X19Dave]

Hi if that has happened she will be high up on the list so it should be quite quick My wife has recovered quite well the biggest problem was the muscle wastage being in bed for so long try and keep her walking about

The transplant went very well the day after the transplant she looked 10 years younger