Up until 23rd December 2022 I thought I was quite well and healthy and rarely needed to visit our GP.
Out of the blue on the 23rd December 2022, I started to vomit up approx. 3 - 4 pints of blood, as you can imagine my wife and I were in shock from the whole episode. Following an emergency admission by ambulance, I was sent for an endoscope and had 3 varicies banded with a further 2 that were banded at a later date.
I then had a ultrasound scan which suggested cirrhosis, enlarged liver and spleen which came as another surprise as I hardly ever consume alcohol.
Christmas 2022 did not go as planned and was spent in hospital.
Following an initial appointment with a consultant, monthly endoscopes and a biopsy arranged. The biopsy had to be trans-jugular due to the risk of internal bleeding because of my blood not clotting correctly.
Increased fatigue, itching which prevented sleep, no appetite, and horrible taste, swollen ankles etc.
After 5 months Diagnosed as alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. Informed that liver would not improve and would require a transplant. Following this I decided to stay positive and accept that would be the outcome needed to extend and improve my quality of life.
Attended 1 day Transplant Assessment followed by a 2 day transplant assessment and on 19th of October 2023 was placed on the transplant list.
Astonished when 3 days later I had the call that a liver may be suitable for me on 22nd of October, unfortunately at the last minute before going down it was decided it would not be suitable, so packed up and went home wondering when the next call would come.
I had an appointment at the liver clinic on 30th October.
Very fortunate and extremely grateful to the donor, I had another call on 1st November 2023 another liver may be suitable, this time the transplant took place on 2nd November and after 6 hours in surgery, 4 days in ITU and 5 days on the ward was discharged to go home.
Thankful to all who had an input with my journey and I am now on the road to recovery.
As previously stated I decided to meet this head on and not bury my head in the sand, following the transplant I told my son and daughter to take it as an example of no matter what happens in life stay strong and the only way is to face it, good or bad which I know isn't always easy but hopefully you can find a way through it as we did.
I would also like to say that the support of family members has been of immense help while going through the transplant process, helping me to keep a positive attitude while they also suffer differently along the way.
So for all carers, you are doing a wonderful job keep it up even when things are difficult it makes a massive difference.
I am now looking forward to a better Christmas and healthier and happy New year.
I cannot praise enough all the members of the liver transplant team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, they are truly amazing people.
Since joining this forum I have found some of the posts really helpful myself.
Maybe my story will be of some help to someone.
Stay Strong and Keep going.
foofighter1
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