Has anyone donated a liver lobe or a kidney?

[wesleycrusher]

mofongo I did psych evals for patients prior to bariatric surgery, and higher rate of alcoholism post-surgery even in patients who had no risk prior to surgery was one of the topics that I was required to discuss with every patient.

[mofongo]

Oct 22, 2024 19:25:05 GMT -5 wesleycrusher said:

mofongo I did psych evals for patients prior to bariatric surgery, and higher rate of alcoholism post-surgery even in patients who had no risk prior to surgery was one of the topics that I was required to discuss with every patient.

I wonder too if some of these patients had underlying liver issues, like diabetes/NASH, prior to WLS, and then added alcohol on top of that. 

[rosiebear]

darby, that’s wonderful; thank you for sharing that.

I’m getting 3d hand news, but apparently her doctor said it would likely be less than three months without a transplant if certain numbers continue to trend the way they have been.

Clinics have different requirements, but I’ve consistently read 6 weeks of absolute sobriety for the living donor, which I would need to acquire. I have had drinks.

The six-month sobriety is a common requirement for the recipient, but that’s not locked in. And if it is policy where she is, she will not be able to reach that milestone if what the doctors think is true.

I took a preliminary screen at the largest hospital in our area - denied due to age. Other places allow up to age 60. It appears my c-sections and my history of UTIs might be a factor? Not sure yet.

I may be getting out over my skis, though, because we haven’t even heard if she is an acceptable risk for receiving one. It also occurred to me that she had two grown sons who might (or might not) be considering donating. God, this sucks. Thank you for the support and kind words.

[cville]

It's kind of you to consider this.

If it turns out to be possible, but you change your mind, that also is being kind. To yourself and to the people who love and depend on you. Your decision is one of many, many elements that factor into her potential success. It's not the only one.

[sent]

I'm sorry you're facing this decision.

Someone I knew professionally, who was young and healthy at the time, donated part of the liver to a sibling in need. Both of these people were in their 30s, maybe mid 40s at most.

TW

The recipient did well after the transplant but the donor (the person I knew) passed away from the procedure. This was at least 15 years ago so I can only hope that the technology is better to prevent this kind of unfortunate outcome. I remember feeling gutted when I heard what had happened.

[audry80]

I have no advice from the donation side but I had a liver transplant over 10 years ago from a deceased donor so can offer my POV as a recipient.

It’s hard. Harder than anything I have ever done ever.

It’s all about compliance.

They say most people go into rejection for not being compliant.

I have to take meds exactly 12 hours apart every single day. I go to the doctor’s a lot. I get blood work a lot.

The motto is we trade one issue with another. So I take pills to prevent rejection but they cause a host of other problems so take meds for those.

I can’t eat certain foods. I can’t drink. I am high risk for just about everything.

Would I do it again?? Yes

Do I live a fulfilling life. Yes

Would I take a liver from a living donor if I needed another transplant. No. It’s to high of a risk and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my donor.

Would I take a kidney from a living donor. Yes.

A liver transplant will possibly save your sister’s life but she will be the only one who can keep herself alive with the gift. Do you think she will be able to do that by being compliant?

Sending you a giant hug. Whatever you do is the right choice for you. Liver failure sucks.

[mofongo]

((audry80))

[somersault72]

I'm sorry to hear this about your sister, rosiebear.

My FIL had a liver transplant almost 25 years ago and he was required to be sober for a certain amount of time (he needed a liver transplant due to alcohol induced cirrhosis). He just passed away last month due to complications from (uncontrolled) diabetes. His liver was one of the few things still doing well. He didn't really drink again after his transplant but I wouldn't say he took care of himself either (hence the uncontrolled diabetes).

I have 2 cousins that have done kidney transplants and the recovery was rough but I don't think either of them regret it--they saved another cousin's life (he's on his second donor kidney).

I am wishing you and your sister all the best. <3

[calamity]

This is timely as I am looking into donating a kidney to my father. My main concerns are about how it will impact my immediate family and of course the lifetime of living with just one kidney.

hazelden , I can relate to so many things you said ((hugs))

mofongo , I may reach out to you in the near future, I have a few questions about the process and my own health concerns 

rosiebear ((hugs))

[dancingirl21]

rosiebear, I’m very sorry to hear your sister and your family are in this position.

TW: my 36 year old brother passed from cirrhosis of the liver from alcohol this past March. He went into the hospital for a broken ankle on January 6th. There, it was discovered his hemoglobin numbers were life-and-death low on that date. Around 3.0. He had over 140 blood transfusions and his numbers never went higher than 9.0 again.

He knew he had cirrhosis for quite awhile. None of us knew. Neither did his friends. We knew he was drinking too much, but not to the point it got to very quickly. The doctors told us and him in February that he needed a liver transplant and would consider his case. Ultimately it was decided he was not a good candidate. His hemoglobin numbers were too low and they didn’t think he would survive the surgery. Beyond that, he wasn’t sober. Unfortunately he passed within about a month of knowing for sure he needed a transplant to survive.

Again, I know what you are going through and am happy to answer any PMs. Thinking of you.