my dad is getting a liver transplant. will that change him?
91624
he should be getting counseling because he  can't drink with all the imune surperssing drung they are going to give him. He needs to make a total life change.  He will be on those drugs the rest of his life.
955385
Drink up with no worries....we can always have a brand new liver grown for us!  I'll take a strawberry margarita with an extra shot of cuervo :)
784207
My fiance is currently taking care of his mother who has Alzheimer's for the last 8 years. I gave my dad a kidney. So to some extent it could be true but, my dad was less then  perfect and I still gave him the gift of life. Seriously I did.
171102
Challanging...You'll get a new person; the one you know will die, and a new one re-born.\n\nMy dad had a lung transplant...weirdly enough, my co-workers mom had a double lung transplant 5 months after my dad's.\n\nAnyways, when part/all of the lung is removed, oxygen is still needed.  Most HMO's start the poor patient off with heavy oxygen tanks (20-30 lbs).  This is crazy because the patient has a hard time breathing, and to carry heavy oxygen is defeating the purpose.  Have them ask for lighter oxygen tanks (some only weigh 5 lbs).\n\nMost likely, they will have to increase their "Prednisone".  This drug is freaky!  I've found that a side effect is it makes the person MEAN. My dad was one of the most patient, loving, and forgiving humans I've ever meet.  When he was on "Prednisone", I swear, he was possesed by a demone...like in the first Exorcist...just real foul things came out of his mouth...\n\nIf your friend has trouble after the removal of part/all of the lung, then you may suggest to them to look into "Pallitative" care.  This is when a person needs help but IS NOT terminally ill.  Then this person can get nurses to help with medications, monitoring vitals, administering medications, and showers (ect).\n\nHope this helps.
871622
The liver is able to regenerate to some degree, more so than other organs, so it's possible that you are regaining some liver function. I believe the liver can regrow to its original size if only a quarter of it is left (say, post-surgery). It's also possible, and maybe more likely to my thinking, that your diet has helped you feel better. Good on you for sticking to it. I hope you get your transplant.
714371
Go forward with the name change. I would. You are still honoring your father by taking on the name he was entitled to and should have had. He doesn't need a name change. Since he has already passed on it is too late since he would have needed to change it. However his tombstone can be changed to reflect the name he should have had.
887073
Hello. First of all let me say that I am so sorry to hear about your Grandfather.Right now the positive thing is that you used the phrase MAY have cancer.There could be many things that have similiar symptoms that cancer has.I am now in a EMT class and I was very shocked when I learned about different conditions mocking one another in their symptoms.Now...lets just say that the tests come back positive.There are wonderful treatments available today for cancer patients.Your Grandfather is also fairly young....60 is not that old!!His body should be strong enough to undergo treatment and help fight the cancer...IF he has cancer.Now...I will say this and it is a very direct statement. IF he has a condition that involves his liver....he will have a long road ahead of him. But that does not mean that he cant beat this.I will keep your Grandfather as well as you and your family in my thoughts.I hope my thoughts have helped ease a little of your concern.I am by no means an expert,but I read your concerns and felt that I should respond.
1121746
Being your dad has lost so much weight, a permanent feeding tube is an option.  The reason is because there is a tube feeding formulation that is elemental which means that the nutrition is already broken down into a form that he can readily absorb.  In other words, basic amino acids, sugars, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that do not require pancreatic enzymes  are introduced into his gut and is absorbed immediately.  What I don't know is if there is a diabetic formulation.  Even if there isn't one, the diabetes can be controlled with insulin.  The stuff taste nasty and not palatable so drinking it is not possible.\n\nWhenever I recommend a feed tube, I always ask the question to the patient and family, is he going to have any semblance or quality of life.  If we are simply inserting a feed tube so that he can reside in a bed with little or no quality of life, then why are we doing it?\n\nAdditional questions that I have are what are the expectations and goals for him and how will this feeding tube help accomplish this.  Is our hope that he gets stronger and be able to get back to some sembalance of life?  Is it a realistic goal given his current physical state and medical problems?  Unfortunately, I suspect there are more medical things going on then simply chronic pancreatitis and diabetes.  He probably has chronic pain.  How is his liver and kidneys?  Does you father concur with this treatment plan?  If our goals and hopes are realistic and if your father concurs, then a feeding tube is appropiate.  \n\nI realize that feeding a loved one is a way to show love.  I remember hand feeding by son when he was 1.5 years old apple sauce and the mess we made.  Many holidays and celebrations revolve around food and feasting.  In some situations, not inserting a feeding tube and not feeding him is also an option.  And it does not mean you love him any less.  Sometimes, the greatest show of love is being able to let go.  It is much harder to not use a feeding tube once it has been inserted then not putting one in the first place.  I may be wrong about you dad's prognosis and probably not the best thing to talk about on Father's day but I want to be very clear on the ramifications of a feeding tube.\n\nTypically, feeding tubes are not permanent depending on the type they are putting in.  The tube either goes into there stomach or small intestines and these tubes are fairly easy to pull out.  The tube itself can last a long time in a patient and if need be replaced.  The tube (the part that is sticking out of the abdominal wall) typically is about 1 foot long, is capped when not in use and is fairly easy to hide in clothing.\n\nIn term of feeding schedules, he does not need to be continuously hooked up to the tube feed.  The connecting parts are fairly easy to manipulate.  The main thing is that he gets adequate number of calories.  And secondarily, if we give a large amount of feeding is he able to absorb a majority of it.  The feeding schedule can be #1 continuous like over a 12-16 hr period. Say like when he is sleep.  The benefit is a slower rate of feeding like 50-60cc/hr and easier absorption of the formula. #2 bolus feeding: say every 6 hrs you push in a larger quantity of feeding.  The only problem with the latter is that he may not be able to completely absorb a large bolus. #3 A combination of #1 and #2.  The key here is that he gets enough calories.  You can easily tell if he is not absorbing the formula completely ie giving him too much too fast by how much diarrhea he has.
752684
Human liver transplant was first performed by Thomas Starzl in USA and Roy Calne in England in 1963 and 1965 respectively. Liver transplantation is the only option for those with irreversible liver failure. Most transplants are done for chronic liver diseases leading to cirrhosis, such as chronic hepatitis C, alcoholism, autoimmune hepatitis, and many others. Less commonly, liver transplantation is done for fulminant hepatic failure, in which liver failure occurs over days to weeks. Liver allografts for transplant usually come from non-living donors who have died from fatal brain injury. Living donor liver transplantation is a technique in which a portion of a living person's liver is removed and used to replace the entire liver of the recipient. This was first performed in 1989 for pediatric liver transplantation. Only 20% of an adult's liver (Couinaud segments 2 and 3) is needed to serve as a liver allograft for an infant or small child. More recently, adult-to-adult liver transplantation has been done using the donor's right hepatic lobe which amounts to 60% of the liver. Due to the ability of the liver to regenerate, both the donor and recipient end up with normal liver function if all goes well.
1028248
My dad is a stranger to me now, also. The only difference is that I grew up with him around. He forgot to pick me up when he was supposed to, missed my recitals and concerts, treated my mom very badly, etc. He finally divorced my mom 5 years ago and it was a relief. He wasn't always bad, but he thought that providing money for the family was showing love to them. He still sends me money occasionally. I'm not really sure if it is out of guilt or if he just still thinks he is showing me he cares. He has a new family now and gives them most of his money, but still none of his time or attention. What I'm trying to say is that just because he was there, it doesn't mean it was better, and not all dads know how to be good dads. \n\nI have learned that I am much more peaceful just not having any expectations. I rely on my family that has been there for me always and I do everything I can for myself. You can't be disappointed if you don't have expectations.\n\nI'm assuming that you come from a different culture than mine because you say that you have a right to demand things because you are the eldest. He may not even really consider you his family because he only just met you. Let go of your expectations and hope for his sake that he will some day realize what he missed out on and seek you out.\n\nBest wishes.
174773
I think that you are doing the right thing by honoring his wishes.  It not only shows that you care about his feelings, but that you also understand.  I think he does realize that something is "up" and it will be hard for him, but having parents that are at least civil to each other will help him.  Good Luck
847523
Definitley not!!!!  Tell your neice to send him some flowers and/or a card, and that she'll see him when he's home.\n\nHope you dad is better soon!!!
202979
if there body rejects it yes, if lets say they received a new liver and they went back to drinking and needed another one then I would say no way
955043
Really sorry to hear about your Dad....It depends on the severity of the cancer and the treatments he recieves. \n\nAll the best !!
80871
Unfortunately, liver is very, very rarely cooked properly.\nThe day you have proper liver, you won't complain.
752150
My son needed a liver trabsplant 2 months ago. I prayed really hard, I prayed the chaplet of The Divine Mercy. Now my baby is cancer-free, all the tumors are gone without any surgery... the doctors last week were amazed. It must be the worked of THE GREATEST PHYSICIAN! That's what you can call a MIRACLE. For more testimonies on miracles by the Divine Mercy here are links for you to visit:\n\nhttp://www.apodivinemercy.com\nhttp://our.homewithgod.com/divinemercy/miracles/\n\nI've seen the paralysed walked, the blinds see again, the uncurable skin diseases were cured and more! \n\nI even experienced receiving messages from the HOLY SPIRIT... everytime it happens... my tears can't stop from falling from my eyes... I feel inner peace and happiness.\n\nI'm more than blessed to experienced these things! They are proof that our GOD is a LIVING and MERCIFUL GOD. \n\nDon't stop believing!!! Miracles do happen every second of our life. =)
335634
First of all, I have no idea what you mean by "effected"\n\nSecond, this is not the place for such an answer. Each individual is different and consideration of those differences is essential. Also the nature of the problem and it's cause also have to be factored in. \n\nThis answer must come from your physician and if for some reason you do not feel comfortable with the decision, get a second opinion from another physician.\n\nA damaged or diseased liver is a serious thing and needs professional help.