Liver Transplant - Lest we forget

[Richard-Allen]

When a person embarks on a liver journey, there are many people involved in their treatment over possibly many years.

There are a multitude of medical professionals who become involved. These may range from the gastroenterologist who in turn refers their patient to a hepatologist. All the imagery people who complete the various liver scans. Right up to the Liver transplant team, and of course not forgetting those special people who stand by us during these difficult times. Our Wives, Husbands, partners etc.

I had my liver transplant back in 2016. On 15 June 2019, I was invited to the Aston Villa Football stadium in Birmingham to celebrate the then 5000th Liver Transplant which had been completed at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. It was a chance for all to meet with some of the staff and the surgical team that made it all possible.

All those who were invited could also bring along two guests as well as their spouses. I invited the clinical lead from my local hospital and a specialist liver nurse. The liver nurse came along, but the clinical lead Doctor refused my invitation. I was thanked for the invite but was told that they had no wish to meet any of the surgeons. In their words, “We are the ones who do all the work, but they get all the glory”.

While the surgical team are indeed the ones who held our lives in their hands, I think we sometimes need to look back at the skill, care and dedication of all the medical professionals who had helped us on our liver journey.

It's just a thought.

Richard

[Millie09]

Hello Richard I hope you and yours are keeping well. I'm as good as can be expected 😌.

Yes I totally agree there , sometimes we do forget those in our liver journey especially the ones in the background so to speak.. my hepatologist secretary at QE is marvellous, so helpful and very understanding.

My next appt at QE is 5 October with lead liver nurse not hepatologist but I get the exact if not more care from her.

Best wishes linda

[Greenpepper in reply to Millie09]

Hi Linda, I am waiting for my alcoholic Chirrosis diagnosis, scared how badly the doctors will speak to me and how humiliating the appointment will be. (63 old female)

[Millie09 in reply to Greenpepper]

LGood morning greenpepper .I totally understand why and what you are feeling. I myself was exactly the same first off ,

My first gastroenterologist consultation was a bit off with me ,but I put that down to just the way he was ,in all my 15 yrs since diagnosis no one has ever judged me infact the longer my sobriety the more proud and stronger I became and in the end I did not worry about what others thought of me , end of the day they didn't know the long journey that got me in to the position I was in .

So please don't worry , its natural what you are thinking but im sure all will be fine.

Feel free to private message me if you want at any time.

Best wishes linda x

[Tavaszias in reply to Millie09]

Hi Linda, Thank you so much for your kind, reassuring words! You are such a special person!How can I send you private message?

Eva

[Millie09 in reply to Tavaszias]

Hi Eva thank you 😊. I do try my best. I have sent you a message so hopefully you can now reply back, just look at the top of the page where it says chat and press on it .Best wishes linda x

[Shep666]

Agreed Richard with what you say. I have been amazed by the sheer number of people and departments that have been involved in my liver journey. I have been very lucky that 99.9% have gone above and beyond what I expected, from the surgeon to the guy that delivered my meds to my house each week - and every one inbetween. I know some have had worse experiences so I am only speaking of my own journey. I, like Linda, had my good fortune to be cared for by the QE.

As a side note, it is sad that your clinical lead doctor refused the invite, as your invite seems to me to demonstrate your recognistion of the importance he and his team played in your journey. It takes all sorts I guess.

[Yellowsydney]

Hi Richard, I have tried personally to thank everyone involved with saving my life, the GP receptionist who put my call straight through to a doctor when I phoned and said I had vomited up blood, the GP who acted so quick, the consultant that did the endoscopy and found the varicies and then looked after me, the second consultant that banded bleeding varicies, all the nurses involved in my care, the marvellous transplant team at Addenbrookes from surgeon to cleaner.Trying to pay back a small bit by volunteering at local hospital and going to talk to medical students about liver disease and transplant.

Forever grateful

Hilary ❤

[redpoint72]

Hi Richard. I agree,I've always said how grateful I am to everyone who has helped me on this difficult journey, from paramedics to sonographers...

And I truly am grateful.

Although the follow up at North staffs hospital has fallen below acceptable levels now.

I'm 9 months late for my bi annual ultrasound and AFP bloods.....

Ive phoned several times,but to no avail......

Even my great gp has tried!!!

Hope your well richard?

Take care.

Chris