My mother needs a liver transplant.

[Pab Sungenis]

Her Hepatitis C (contracted through a transfusion years ago) finally fully kicked in, and she has cirrhosis of the liver.

The good news is that she's got Medicaid, which will pay for it.

The bad news is she's a 60 year old former drug user. I doubt she'll get too high on the transplant list.

Just needed to scream a little.

[Hepburn]

1. Oh, my....

...I am so sorry you are going through all of this....:hug:

[Pab Sungenis]

3. It's just after everything over the past 18 months

I didn't really need to hear about this now.

[Cerridwen]

2. .

:hug:

Scream away. All ears, er, eyes here.

[drm604]

4. I may need a liver transplant one day.

:hug:

[Pab Sungenis]

6. Good reason to fight for single payer

so when you need it, it can be paid for.

[drm604]

7. If it ever happens, I'll probably be on Medicare by then.

But I still fight for single payer.

My thoughts are with you and your mother.

Here's another :hug:

[grantcart]

5. keep up the good fight, I am sure that she gets a great deal of strength from you

[LiberalAndProud]

8. (( Pab Sungenis ))

A hug to send a moment of comfort. So sorry.

[elleng]

9. We should ALL sign up as organ donors,

and support any legislation that seeks to increase the numbers.

Best of luck to you and your mother, Pab.

[Maru Kitteh]

17. AND push for increased stem cell research. We'll never have enough organs, even with an opt-out

policy instead of opt-in, the way it is now.

Our population is about to look like an upside-down Christmas tree with all the Boomers on the top. There's no way we can support that with donation. The brutal fact of the matter is that way, way, way too many people never get the organ they need to live right now.....

Stem cells.

Other countries are leaving us in the dust.

[Liberal_in_LA]

10. .

:grouphug:

[renate]

11. I'm sorry... at least she does have Medicaid

At least there's one thing you and she don't have to worry about. I know it's a small comfort in the big picture, though.

:hug:

Good luck.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. I'm sorry, and hugs to you

[REP]

13. Best wishes, and hope she's AB-!

(best group for tx - Universal Recipient)

[Spinzonner]

18. I think that you mean AB+

[stevedeshazer]

14. Best wishes to you and your mom.

Good thoughts.

[Maru Kitteh]

15. Shit dude. I'm really sorry - but hope may not be lost here at all.

1. 60 is quite young, actually.

2. You say she's a former drug user, so I'm assuming that means she's been clean for a while? Those who have demonstrated an ability to care for the new organ (stay clean) are usually just as eligible as anyone else.




Here are a couple of good resources

http://www.transplantliving.org/

On living donation, including partial liver

http://www.donatelife.net/UnderstandingDonation/LivingDonation.php#who

[Ms. Toad]

16. Sorry about your mom.

It's possible that she won't need a transplant - my SIL had Hep-C for years. She has cirrhosis, but is able to control things well enough that she doesn't now (and may not ever) need a transplant.

If they've already told your mom she needs a transplant, once she's past the minimum clean time I'm pretty sure it's a non-issue. As long as she meets the listing criteria, priorities for who receives an available liver are based primarily on blood type, how critical the medical need is and geography in relation to the donor.

Has she started the listing Process? She can be listed in more than one geographical region, and some places move faster than others. I believe Florida has one of the shortest waits. If she has the ability to relocate for a few months post transplant, she can increase her odds.

My daughter's not there yet - but in a few years I'll be in your shoes.

[proteus_lives]

19. My sympathies.

My dad is 64 and his liver is shot too. It works at like 35% and he lives with the knowledge it could go bust any day. He's a former drug and booze abuser as well. So he's not going to get a new one if he needed it.

[malaise]

20. 60 is young these days -

I hope she gets on the list. :grouphug:

sp

[Fumesucker]

21. Thinking good thoughts for your mom..

She's only a year older than me and I don't *feel* old..

[samsingh]

22. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.