| Author |
Message |
Frank J.
Member
Username: Txaggie86
Post Number: 24
Registered: 03-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 02:01 pm: | 
|
Today is my 3rd year anniversary for my 2nd transplant.
I haven't created an entry because I really had not much to say. My wife of 17 years encouraged me to create this entry.
In 1990, I was diagnosed with cryptogenic cirrhosis. It took a number of blood tests and biopsies to reach that diagnosis. I can speak from experience that liver biopsies have come a long way since then. In 1990, it felt as if a mule kicked you when the doctor biopsied the liver. I hardly felt my last biopsy in 2007.
From 1990 to 2004, I had next to no symptoms except for low white blood count and platelets. In that time, I got married, worked for a small company for 8 years and worked for Home Depot for 10 years in their IT department.
In September 2004, one of my varices veins in my esophagus popped, causing upper GI bleeding. As a result, I had to have an emergency endoscopy to repair the veins. Because I lost so much blood, I lost consciousness for 2 days and was paralyzed on my left side for 2 more.
In attempt to diagnose why I was unconscious after the procedure, the doctors performed an MRI scan. While I was in the MRI tube, I had a Grand Mal seizure. That caused permanent damage to my shoulder and compressed two disks in my back.
The doctors at Emory were trying to diagnose why I had a stroke. I had a battery of tests, including cardiac catheterization, pulmonary catheterization and liver catheterization. In the end, they determined that I had ischemia due to the varices veins in my esophagus. I, also, had 6 more endoscopies to band 40 varices veins in my esophagus. From October to December 2004, I was in the hospital for 6 weeks on and off due to liver problems.
I was put on the waiting list in January and received a liver transplant on April 13, 2005. My health immediately improved, and I went home within 10 days.
By September, I was jaundiced. It was determined that there was a stricture in the biliary duct (between the liver and intestine). I had a stent put in. That was one of the more painful things I endured. Every six weeks I had to endure a biliary check was pretty painful.
In January 2006, as my health worsened, the doctors at Emory determined that my transplanted liver was ‘defective’. The biliary tree was scarring. They called in 2 doctors and to 2 PAs to tell me that I needed another transplant.
In late February, I was put on the waiting list again. My health continued to worsen. I spent about 16 hours a day sleeping. At this point my wife was very worried that I would die before I got my transplant.
On April 30, I was called in for my second transplant. It was an 8 ˝ hour ordeal that took two surgeons tag teaming to complete my surgery. My vocal chords were temporarily paralyzed due to the intubation tube.
Since the second transplant, I have had several hospitalizations due to CMV, a superbug (VRE) and a broken hip.
Now, three years later, I am doing very well. I have to credit my faith in God, my wife, my family and friends.
Frank Jones
Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA - April 2005 and April 2006.
Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. - Mark Twain |
|
Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8824
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 02:23 pm: |
|
Hello Frank 
Happy Anniversary and many healthy years.
Congratulations on starting a blog on TransplantBuddies! Thank you for enlightening others who are waiting. Faith and a great attitude is paramount to good health along with good nutrition and exercise.
Welcome to the 2nd Re Transplant club! I also had a second transplant.
Thank you for joining our family. Hi Frank's Wife. Thank you for encouraging your hubby. Now it is time for you to create our First Caregiver's transplant blog.
|
Bob2006
Member
Username: Delgador
Post Number: 46
Registered: 06-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 03:56 pm: |
|
Hi Frank,
Do you have a connection to Texas A&M?
Bob |
Happy2Bhere
Member
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 2154
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 04:10 pm: |
|
Frank J.
Congratulations on your 3rd anniversary, OMG!! You have traveled a very amazing journey with your lung transplants. Very happy your wife coaxed you into starting this Blog.
Risa quoted a wonderful reminder above: "Faith and a great attitude is paramount to good health ....."
God Bless
Ol' Bob
P.S. BTW You share the same name as a former US Represtative in Washington DC............: "Frank Jones (September 15, 1832 – October 2, 1902) was a United States Representative from New Hampshire representing the 1st Congressional District from 1875 to 1879. He was the mayor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1869 and 1869".
|
Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8830
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 04:54 pm: |
|
Ol Bob,
Frank had Two liver transplants.
I just received my beautiful mug.
|
Karen R.
Member
Username: Relivkaren
Post Number: 2890
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 08:10 pm: |
|
Frank:
Welcome to Transplant Buddies! Congratualtions on your two liver transplants. You certainly have had a long road to recovery. I am glad that you are feeling good now. Thank you for posting your story. It always helps to know that even bumps in the road can lead to success if you are willing to fight for it.
I hope you continue to visit. We look forward to getting to know you!
God Bless!
Karen
Dx: BOOP - May 2006. Rediagnosed with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Nov. 2006
Listed Feb 2008 - Double Lung at Cleveland Clinic
Ohio, USA
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. |
|
Happy2Bhere
Member
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 2155
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 08:45 pm: |
|
"Frank had Two liver transplants"
OOOPS!!! I misread your story, Frank. Sorry
Congrats on your liver transplants, my friend.
Thanks Risa.
Ol' Bob
|
Frank J.
Member
Username: Txaggie86
Post Number: 27
Registered: 03-2009
| | Posted on Friday, May 01, 2009 - 10:12 am: |
|
Thank you. I forgot to mention that I had Liver carcinoma before my transplant. I had the RFA which did a number on the cancerous cells (and me).
The doctor said that I was "Complicated". That is an understatement.
Frank Jones
Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA - April 2005 and April 2006.
Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. - Mark Twain |
|
Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8846
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 01, 2009 - 02:05 pm: |
|
Hi Frank
I see you have your full name spelled out on our title. Google and other search engines will pick this up. If you do not want your name to be associated with this website, I can change the title for you. Some people do not know that whenever they post their first and last names on the internet, search engines will pick them up.
Best regards,
Risa
PS. If you want me to change this for you, email me at my address below.
|
|
