Today I saw my gastroenterologist, he's very nice, well-mannered and wicked smart. [pronounced like you are from Massachusetts: wickid smaht {wicked is a good thing}]
We talked about changes my body will go through, possible "issues" caused by my not-functioning-at-all-really liver. Things like muscle weakness, cramping [EVERYWHERE!!!], jaundice [call him and go to hospital immediately] confusion, edema, swelling, itchy all over, spider veins [legs and feet right now], malabsorption [like malnourishment], anemia, pain, pain and did I mention pain? [in my muscles mostly right now] There was more but I can't remember everything he said.
I will check in with him every two months, for now. If I need help he said just call him. Then he said the T word. TRANSPLANT. I really did not want to hear that word today. I didn't want to make it real. But there it was. Three BIG hospitals in the Boston area do liver transplants. I chose Massachusetts General Hospital. They do the most transplants and have very aggressive surgeons on their transplant teams. With very good results for transplant patients. He forwarded all of my information to the hospital and someone will be calling me soon to set up appointments for testing. We should plan on staying overnight because the testing will take 2 days, but we don't live that far away, it's not even 2 hours driving time. And I'd prefer to sleep in my own bed. And it's expensive to stay in the city.
I will be adding to my everyday medications [all 11 of them] Vitamins A, C & D, Calcium & Iron. The vitamin C helps the liver absorb the iron. I am anemic right now because my liver isn't doing what it used to do with the food I eat.
Now I wait, again. I really do not like to wait, I've never really been good at it.
I'm tired, need a little rest. You are all wonderful and I am so happy I found you.
love, peace & joy, oh and hugs! lots and lots of hugs
~Sha
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Cape_Cod_Sharon
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Wishing all the very best, and yes I saw the angry bunny face xxx
Hey my Hun. I posted this a while back. Good one lol . My oh is a kidney transplant patient, it is so scary at the time and so much to go through , but my friend, once you get use to the procedure it all gets better. And when you finally get your liver transplant, oh how much better you will feel. So many kidney transplant have liver problems and damage. And transportation. I wish you all the luck in the world, and hope you receive one very soon. My oh looks 20 years younger. Luv and hope for you. Healing wishes. Take care of yourself. Soft hugs. Xx
Thanks so much for the update which is good of you as you must feel really under the weather. Yes as long as you can manage the 4 hour round trip it is nice to sleep in your own bed. Hope all the extra vitamins help you. They always say to chose a hospital who do lots of the procedure you are designated for. Have tehy got to get you in better shape before they can think of a transplant. It sounds as though you have a good gastroenterologist there.
Let us know any updates on your condition when you are able.x
Hi Sharon, I'm wishing you all the best for you and a short wait! My oh boss is also waiting for a liver transplant down here in the Philadelphia area. I think family members are being tested also. Hope all goes well. I see the angry bunny🐰 and the cross eyed kitty🐈. Chris
Do you live in Philly? I have had offers for a living donor but I don't know if that is an option yet. I do know they want living donors under 50 yrs. old. Sorry, dealing with an unruly 2 yr. old...thinks my couch is a trampoline.
Hi Sharon,born in Philly but now in new Jersey. Boston and Philly are great cities to visit but turned i into a country girl😃yes under 50's is what they had told hubby's boss maybe they could make an exception if it's a good match. I do hope they come up with one soon, waiting is something I don't do well and your last post your the same. All couches and beds are trampolines to a two year old😁
I'm born and raised in Massachusetts, Lived on Cape Cod since 1978
My brother-in-law was a living donor, gave a kidney to his brother only to have the same kidney disease a few years later. Waited 3 years for a donor. He got his kidney and a few short weeks later he died from a massive heart attack. He was 42. It's taken 15 years for my sister to remember how to live again, having two grandbabies helped.
Oh dear, to hear the trouble's some people endure and the strength they have. Some times I feel bad when I want to have a good moan! Grand babies do seem to help👶
We can always find someone who is worse off than ourselves but that does not lessen our own suffering it just helps us to realize we are stronger than we think we are. You go right ahead and have a good moan. You are entitled to that, we all have those days when we are feeling blue and ask the universe "What did I ever do to deserve this??" The short answer is "You didn't do anything. This is not your fault."
I can't begin to imagine the emotions you must be going through at the minute.
I'm afraid I don't have any words of wisdom because it's not a situation I know anything about. But I will keep my fingers crossed that you get the treatment you need as quickly and painlessly as possible.
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Are Doctors allowed to refuse you pain relief?
Just about had enough
Confused about pills!
