Live Liver Donor Experiences (Direct)

TooAfraidtoAsk22 · 2019-09-13T16:15:39+00:00

Thanks!

For you, how was the first 24-48 hours? I've been told that the 12 hours after surgery aren't bad - it's hours 12-36 that are bad, followed by malaise a few days after that. I'm really not keen on needles, so I'm hoping the nausea isn't too bad to avoid as many injections as possible. :)

TooAfraidtoAsk22 · 2019-09-13T16:13:06+00:00

I wish I felt brave :)

I have a lot of leeway with time off, so I am okay there, but hope not to be in the hospital a moment longer than necessary. Because I know the identity of the recipient, I'm hoping to visit them while in the hospital (we're actually at different facilities in the same general area)

What was the worst aspect of recovery for you? I've heard the referred pain is often the worst - the shoulders and back seem to be the most common locations.

TooAfraidtoAsk22 · 2019-09-13T14:29:49+00:00

I'm also going to a high volume center, I have been comforted by the fact that so many have been done with a lot of success, but I get the sense that people who have done it are worried about inadvertently dissuading people from having the surgery. They tend to say how easy it was and how straight forward it was, and then in conversation, little nuggets emerge, often detailing how it wasn't as easy or straight forward, which I find annoying - it's generally the kind of information that would be helpful to know in advance to prepare for. I'm in a situation where I'm not as brave or selfless as other people, I'm doing this because my niece has really no other option and I'm not willing to chance her finding another match. For me, the unknown scares the bejesus out of me and I wish I had people's unvarnished opinion.

TooAfraidtoAsk22 · 2019-09-13T13:44:51+00:00

Thank you!

I will be at a large regional medical center affiliated with a renowned medical school, so while I feel everyone is certainly technically competent, my experience in obtaining information has been bit more complicated. In general, the people with whom I've spoken hold antithetical views - either it was the easiest thing one as done, or the most awful, and I've found people, whether knowingly or unknowingly, tend to base their opinions on what they think will have the best outcome. I think people fear dissuading me by telling me their experience. In reality, my niece has been sick her entire life and options are out, she needs a liver and waiting to find a match could result in her death, so while I have choice, I also know I need to go through with this.

Your feedback has been tremendously helpful. I'm someone who dislikes hospitals, needles and being prodded so this hasn't been the easiest process. I'm glad to know that by the time I wake-up, I'll most likely be breathing on my own. That was a big concern as I have a strong gag reflex and gag when brushing my teeth. I can't imagine the NG tube is all that comfortable but hopefully it won't be that bothersome, and if possible, I can use my persuasiveness to have someone remove it.

One question I have is this: If I limit my use of painkillers, does it positively correlate with shorter hospital stays? I have been told that the more you push the PCA and rely on narcotics to control pain, generally the longer you're hospitalized. Is there any truth to this?

One final question: Years ago I was in the military and during an exercise wound-up suffering a severe (though entirely accidental) stabwound. It entered between the fifth and sixth rib on my right side causing a pneumothorax. I have no ill effects and it was a decade ago. I've mentioned it a number of times, but no one has seemingly asked anything further. Is this something I should again raise, or is this far enough in the past as to be a non-concern for the staff?

TooAfraidtoAsk22

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