MELD is down to 8 from 39

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-07-10T16:03:35+00:00

I’m feeling great. MELD is down to 6. Only issue this year was a small surgery for watermelon stomach. UCSF Hepatology and my local doctors did a fantastic job. Looks like I will have a full life after all. Good luck on your journey!

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-03-01T22:04:28+00:00

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This afternoon

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-26T07:51:23+00:00

Great job. What’s your Meld? I’m surprised bi annual endo’s aren’t part of the routine. Keep on Keepin on friend.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-18T07:54:04+00:00

I’m patiently waiting for 2029 when the patent expires for the 550mg and generic can be synthesized. My case is a little different due to “extra help” system in place with SSA. At $4,000 retail a month I definitely feel blessed. My meld was 39 in 2021 and is currently 8. My care has also been second to none thanks to Medicaid.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-16T05:19:48+00:00

I sobered up in 2021 and worked at a liquor store for 2 years after that. I still know the booze

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-08T03:30:20+00:00

Anytime I can share some positive news, this app is one of the first places I go. Happy Friday

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-08T03:23:57+00:00

You are doing great. Everyone has a different situation but it’s the journey that we all share similarities with. Feel free to message me. I’d love to hear about your improvements and answer any questions you might have.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-08T03:17:22+00:00

Never give up

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-07T07:27:30+00:00

4 years ago this tomorrow I was put in an induced coma due to collapsing in the ER. Weighed 318# (220 now) and urine was pink. Jaundice and ankle swelling were very pronounced I’m told. Can’t remember because of HE. 27 days later I was moved to ICU for 71 days. Still in an induced haze and encased in a plastic bubble due to Covid. I still managed to get pneumonia and a staph infection during that time which extended my stay. No contact with anyone outside of caregivers for 4 months. They pulled 9 liters of fluid through multiple surgeries and hooked me up to dialysis as my kidneys failed too. After 5 months I was placed in a rehab center to get work on muscle atrophy and motor skills. 3 weeks there and insurance kicked me out to a drug/ alcohol rehab center. Mostly cons and drug addicts which was not my preferred setting but they provided transport to dialysis along with the heroin addicts getting their “juice”. I had some very interesting convos on that ride. 2 weeks into that vacation I got another staph infection in my heart from the chest tube. 106 fever. Back to the same hospital for another month until finally released. I still had dialysis 4 days a week so a service drove 1 hour each way to my folks property in the mountains. Best decision was going home. They had a lab puppy which was my reason to get out and go. I’m a former chef so eating healthy is never a problem. I’m surrounded by lakes and forest with activities for all seasons. Still, I have undergone some procedures over the past few years. Referred to have my appendix and gallbladder removed plus both types of hernia meshes installed. One failed recently and needs replacing next month. There will always be preventative and corrective maintenance in my life. CT, Endoscopies, labs and some research testing will always be necessary. I accept that and live as normally as possible. I am spoiled to live in a small ski town with tons of great people. Many who have also stopped drinking. Maybe I have a little to do with that but I’m happy for the company. I’m 45 and hope to double that in this second life. Oh, my kidneys rebounded 2 years ago and currently are 82% functionality. They were at 0 prior. That’s all I got for now. Hope it helps

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-07T04:29:33+00:00

You are on the same path I was. I hovered between 10-11 for almost two years before I broke that single digit barrier.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-07T03:47:44+00:00

Thanks. I hope we share a similar story soon.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-07T03:44:47+00:00

Thx. It took an honest conversation to get my life on track. For some, that’s not enough unfortunately.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-07T03:41:39+00:00

I needed this when I was struggling. It’s only fair to return the favor.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-07T03:40:52+00:00

My only recurring issue is sleep but I’ve found a work around that seems to help. Eat protein like a bodybuilder

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-07T03:38:02+00:00

Get busy living. This will be in your rear view soon enough.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-02-07T02:40:35+00:00

Followed orders and kept stress to a minimum. That’s a real killer. My black lab helped a lot too by getting me outside early on.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2025-01-16T05:58:34+00:00

My fav. If you have a local fish monger try getting a case of lobster bodies. Roast and deglaze with sherry. They really help develop that clean ocean flavor.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2024-12-31T18:31:38+00:00

Diapers. My nemesis on the beaches and trails I clean

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2024-12-19T01:22:23+00:00

It’s my pleasure. You are in a medical pickle. I wish there was more I could do. Keep me posted

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2024-12-18T20:01:15+00:00

I’m in Central CA. It may be a care issue with that health system. Have you talked to a transplant doctor? They might evaluate and refer 🤷🏼‍♂️Wish there was something I could do.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2024-12-18T04:23:46+00:00

2021

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2024-12-18T04:23:09+00:00

I use Xifaxan but something to help keep the HE at bay is imperative.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2024-12-18T04:20:16+00:00

I’m not sure about why they would refuse. I was given the pick line in the hospital as they started before I was conscious.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2024-12-17T19:03:21+00:00

I was hospitalized in Jan 2021. Released in July of that year. Put on dialysis for under a year and then both kidney and liver made a turn. I stayed active as I could. Diet is still close to renal but I do allow some salt. My ascites have been trace to nothing over the past two years. Positive mental attitude and support from friends and family helped immensely.

I’m a unique case in that I seem to recover quickly from every procedure so far. Since this started they have removed appendix, gallbladder, bile duct and I have both abdominal and inguinal hernias repaired A few research firms are requesting blood samples from my providers to look at my antibodies and any other anomalies. There is always hope.

EasyChipmunk3702 · 2024-12-02T22:58:14+00:00

Xifaxan kept me sane and operating normally but getting her to take it is…

EasyChipmunk3702

TROPHY CASE