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What a hell of a month!
#1
A few people on the board know what has happened to me in the last few months but I thought it was time to share with the rest of the board since it was this board that I have met new friends that I can call close friends now.

Well a little precursor to the last month. Starting in Oct of 2012 I begin to have stomach issues and felt very lethargic. I went to my primary care doctor who gave me some anti-cramping and anti-acid meds. Well I was still having problems in January of this year and went back to him complaining of the same problems. He ran a few more tests and decided that I should see a specialist. There was a lot of BS that happened in those months which I really don’t want to get into. But before I could see the specialist my wife noticed my eyes getting yellow, so off to the hospital we went, this was the end of Feb 2013. After a bunch of test and a few days in the hospital, I was diagnosed with a couple of genetic blood disorders. These were caught too late and I was told that I needed a liver transplant. Let’s just say that I was pretty tore up about it and the thoughts of what could happen next were difficult to think about. Especially with an 11 year old daughter that is wondering what is wrong with dad.


So fast forward to 6-11-13 after numerous test and procedures while I was in the hospital for stomach related problems I get a call from my transplant coordinator saying that I finally was on the list and the call could come anytime between then and who knows when. I have the rarest blood type and I’m a big guy which both was working against me.


On 6-15-13 at 4:30 I was walking into Best Buy to get a new home phone since ours wouldn’t ring sometimes and I really wanted to be able to get “The Call”. Well my cell phone rings and I hang up on the person as I’m trying to get it out of my pocket. Right after that my wife’s cell phone rings and she is talking to the person on the other end and sounds like something is going on. She hands the phone to me and it’s my transplant coordinator and she says “what are you doing tomorrow?” I go I have now idea and she goes “how would you like a new liver?” I say sure being caught off guard since I was only on the list for 5 days. So after doing a few things I head to the hospital that night and check in at 8:00pm for surgery the next morning. Even after all that there was still a chance I wouldn’t receive the liver and I would find out around 3:00am. I didn’t get much sleep till about 3:30am when I hadn’t received word on the liver, I finally fell a sleep only to be woken at 6:00am by 2 nurses dressed in surgical gear. At that time it was a go and I was going to get a new liver on Father’s Day. I was rolled into the operating room around 7:30 and woke up in recovery around 1:00 with a new liver. I was pretty happy because they said it would be a good chance I would end up in the ICU and I was headed to my room in a couple of hours. So then the days in the hospital started with a few hiccups along the way but all went pretty well and I was released 11 days later. I was hoping to get out on the 23rd since that was my birthday but I got to spend it in the hospital oh well I had a new liver and hopefully now I can celebrate a bunch more birthdays. So after getting out of the hospital it has been numerous checkups and tests. But after all that and a month later almost to the minute I’m doing great with the blood work numbers mostly in the normal range and my strength coming back. A few more weeks of restrictions and then it will be a life time of meds and checkups but I’m looking forward to a life time now.

After all my check ups I still haven't been able to bring myself to ask if I can have an occasional cigar.Big Grin
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#2
That is great news!!! Glad everything worked out and will pray for you and a complete recovery. Will the meds keep the blood disorder from causing complications with the new liver? Let me know if you need anything.
"I do not save cigars for occasions that may not happen. Cigars make the occasion special, not the other way around."

Ryan
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#3
Fantastic news big guy!!!
Hope this new lease lasts very long time!

Smile2

Happy belated birthday!!
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#4
Glad to hear all is well now. Enjoy the rest of your summer with the girl & wife, sounds like you need the R&R!
I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure. -Mae West
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#5
Wow, sounds like a hell of a process.

Super glad to hear everything went well, and you're on the mend! I hope things keep going well, and you're back to 100% soon.
Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.
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#6
Holy crap! Glad you got the new liver bud. That is crazy!
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#7
I know the Caruso family was praying for you and the family before and right after the procedure. Glad things are progressing for you Doug. It's been an amazing month for for you.
They call me The Mum - Jimmie the Mum
Viva Mumcero - Mahk 12/4/2010 - http://www.stogiechat.com/forum/thread-20737.html
Honorary Shield Brother
Weak people seek Revenge, Strong people Forgive, Intelligent people Ignore
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#8
Seriously great new Doug! Hopefully I can make a trip over to visit you when you're back to full strength man. Stay the path!
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#9
Glad things are going good for you buddy!
--Mike
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#10
Thats awesome news Lurch! Glad things are getting back more towards normal. I'll keep you and the family in the prayers until everything is all said and done!
StogieChat's Resident Classic Truck Restoration Amateur.

--Graham
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