Life after transplant

[Lippy42]

My hubby is now 10 months post transplant due to alcohol liver disease. My question is how much damage did the drinking really do i thought after liver transplant everything would be great i know this is what i focused on to get me where i am and get through it so god knows what my hubby thought . But the thing is the pain in his hands the nightmares the fatigue the memory loss the weakness in his legs and arms we are now learning this could be the damage left by alcohol ? Is this correct . I am now shifting my thoughts to helping hubby with his next battle we put a lot to one side and focused on the liver rightly so now we are trying to get through his trauma and the other damage alcohol caused . I now know alcohol liver disease is a massive journey one that we will be on forever .

[cammeag]

Hi. I can only imagine how you and your husband feel after what you thought was a life changing operation. No doubt, somewhere down the road, it may be transplant that will be my only option. Each condition that you mention must individually be tremendously difficult to deal with. Hopefully there will be groups around that can help with those issues. When my liver was decompensated, many organs were affected. Every department in the hospital had a different idea of how to treat me, but above all I realised that if the liver was not right, then nothing else would follow. Giving the liver as little work to do but as much goodness as you possibly can may help your husband, although I am sure you both already know this. When I made sure the medication I took was only the most necessary, and everything I ate and drank was unprocessed and as pure as my bank account could afford, things did start to change, slowly, but in the right direction. Hopefully, you may find a group to help you and hubbie toward a better, brighter and more healthy path. Maybe the nurses here can point you toward something too. I wish you both all the best for the future.

[Lippy42 in reply to cammeag]

Thankyou for your reply i hope your keeping well . I have come to realise the transplant wasnt a fix all but it has certainly been the best thing he has recieved the rest be fixed over time and if not i will learn along the way a new way to cope after 26 years together thinking i knew everything about him i still discover more .

[Shep666]

Hi Lippy

First off, congratulations to you and your husband on getting so far - a massive achievement.

I am just 4 ish months pst transplant and have learned 3 things.

1) We are all different and although we all have had/waiting fora liver transplant (or living with liver disorders). There often the similarities end. Different recover rates, pains, mental battles and support. We still have one binding link - we all have someone’s else’s liver and they have given us a second chance or we are having to come to terms with living with liver disease.

2) Joining the pre/post liver transplant monthly zoom group run by Amy was one of the best things I ever did. Nothing beats talking/listening to other liver “seekers”. There ups and downs put my own journey into perspective.

3) support by people like you ( our long suffering other halves, friends, family and new liver buddies) is as essential as good medical care.

I keep getting told - time, time, time. Hard sometimes as you want to be somewhere where your body is not yet ready to go. When I struggle with impatience or get down hearted I look at some of my pre liver transplant photographs- that really helps my brain to get back with the program and realise how far I have come.

This forum is great, but to reiterate, the zoom 1 hour calls really helped me - so many questions/fears answered just listening and talking.

I didn’t want to bore you with my day to day symptoms/triumphs. I just wanted to wish you both Good luck - you are not alone out there 😉