Inception
As I emerge from the mental fog (encephalopathy) that has covered the past two years I am faced with an eerie feeling, what are real memories and what are not. I have poured over a number of photos of the past two years and discovered that I have no memory of the majority of them. The few that I recognize I know the story but lack any emotional connection.
Read MoreCelebrating 48 Years, the Birthday that Almost Didn’t Come
It was 27 months ago, 9 June 2009, that I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, 25 months ago the cause of the cirrhosis was diagnosed as Alpha1-Antitrypsin deficiency. At that time the doctor told me I had about two years to live without a liver transplant. This thought would haunt me for the next 22 months. Three months ago my condition had suddenly become very grim and the possibility that I would not see today had become suddenly real.
Read MoreOld Drafts now Posted
I have reviewed and edited a number of older drafts that were incomplete and never posted. They have now been posted as follows: Looking Forward, a New Year - 1 January 2011 A Mother’s Decision to Give Life – 25 November 2010 Activation Milestone – 10 October Living Donors – 30 April 2010
Read MoreSomething to Consider
Following my transplant my wife, Julie wrote a beautiful essay that she posted to her blog. In her elegant prose she clearly illustrates the need for more organ donors and the impact that organ donation can have on the recipient' and there family. Organ donation is a sensitive subject but needs to be discussed by families now, before a tragedy strikes. When you are in the midst of dealing and coping with a tragedy these are very difficult decisions to make.
Read MoreI am Alive and Back…
It has been nearly 15 months since I last posted regularly to this bog. The lack of posts was not due to a waining interest in the blog or the therapeutic value of self expression. Starting in May of 2010 I began to feel more and more the impact of my liver failure. One of the primary complications was hepatic encephalopathy, which is the worsening of brain function as a result of the liver's inability to remove toxic substances from the blood. Essentially my body was poisoning my mind.
Read MoreLooking Forward, a New Year
As we begin a new year one can’t help but look back at what has passed and ponder what lies ahead. The end of the last year was particularly hard, I spent more time in the hospital between Thanksgiving and New Years than I have in any other similar length of time. A total of three hospitalizations, two coma’s and a Christmas I can’t remember. It would seem that the new year could only be an improvement. As I do look forward and contemplate the new year I am struck by several stark realities. My health will only continue to decline until I receive a transplant. My gallbladder has already failed and I live with pain from that and my liver on a daily basis. My MELD score seems hopelessly stuck in the low twenty’s...
Read MoreYou Can Give Life
One Man’s Story Trailer
The last 6 months of a two year journey to receive a liver transplant. Told in one minute of pictures and music.
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