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Original poster

Please sign up for the transplant register

14 replies

tatt · 10/12/2006 08:42

www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/how_to_become_a_donor.jsp

One of my oldests friends has just had to have an urgent liver transplant after his health deteriorated rapidly. He's not an alcoholic and the cause isn't known for sure. As tests have come back negative it's being called viral hepatitis. He's married with two children.

Too early to say if he will make it. The op went well, but he's still in intensive care. It's prompted me to sign up for the national register. I've always carried the donor card but never got around to registering online. Please join me.

OP posts:
corrina28 · 10/12/2006 08:53

we did it a couple of weeks ago, i've carried a donor card for as long as i can remember.

Original poster
tatt · 10/12/2006 11:19

good for you.

OP posts:
Carmenere · 10/12/2006 11:28

I'm on it already too as are a lot of mnetters due to the diligence of Misdee. Does anyone know how she is doing atm?

whensantagotstuckupAITCHimney · 10/12/2006 11:35

misdee has done a lot of excellent work on this, tatt, so you're preaching to the choir here (although more preaching is always a good thing ). i just wanted to say how EASY-PEASY he sign-up process is, and that you get sent a personalised card through the post that you can keep in your purse.
i found it was a really good opportunity to sit down with dh and decide what we wanted to do if something terrible happened to dd. it was good to have the conversation while she is fit and healthy, iykwim? hopefully it means that if something dreadful happens we'll always know that we've already made our decisions calmly over a coffee... not sure i'm explaining that well...

Original poster
tatt · 10/12/2006 16:37

ah well - there will always be some, like me, who only read a small part of the site and miss it. Also worth adding that even older organs are useful as some people think its less bone marrow where they won't take you.

Now I must ask if they can check my medical records to see if I was given blood after my last pregnancy. I was out of it and don't know. Haven't been well enough to give blood for a time so it wasn't important.

My friend's daughter has had time to get home from university to see him. Even if the liver is rejected it will still have made a huge difference to his family.

OP posts:
Original poster
tatt · 10/12/2006 16:38

sorry less should have been like.

OP posts:
whensantagotstuckupAITCHimney · 10/12/2006 16:53

exactly, tatt, i don't think you can put the message out there too often.
it's so little hassle an could genuinely mean THE WORLD to someone at a time when frankly you're past caring. hope good things happen for your friend.

FairyTaleOfNewYork · 10/12/2006 16:58

well done tatt!! i feel like i am not alone in my mini crusade right now. (i am misdee btw).

dh has been waiting for a heart for 22months now. is on an LVAD (left ventricular assist device, ie artificial heart) and spent 14months in one spell in hospital, 6months in and out of hospital and is now currently waiting at home for the call to come in.

www.waitingforthecall.blogspot.com is our weblog of our journey so far.

FairyTaleOfNewYork · 10/12/2006 16:59

thinking of your friend as well. he will be in ITU for a few days yet, but am sure the liver stats are good. will pray for him tonight.

Original poster
tatt · 13/12/2006 20:40

thanks FairyTaleOfNewYork. I can't imagine what it would be like to have to wait that long or go through what you are going through.

I'm glad to say my friend is out of intensive care and doing well. They are doing lots of tests to try and find out the cause.

OP posts:
NannyL · 13/12/2006 20:43

i have been on it for years and years

also on the bone marrow regsiter and also give blood!

Original poster
tatt · 13/12/2006 21:18

spoke to my friend's wife tonight and they think it was adult giant cell hepatitis - very rare and unknown, probably viral cause. The survival rate isn't too bad after liver transplant but I was worried because he deteriorated so rapidly. He had to be put on dialysis because his kidneys couldn't cope. If he hadn't got the transplant he might not be here now. However he's basically strong and reasonably healthy so I'm hoping his chances of survival are now better than average.

His family have always had donor cards but never expected to be on the reciving end.

We realise he's been very, very lucky.

I hope that your husband will get his transplant too, misdee.

OP posts:
FairyTaleOfNewYork · 13/12/2006 21:24

thanks! glad to hear your friend is fdoing well.

we are on lcol radio tomorrow (hertbeat fm), and local paper next week aboutr organ donation and the live life thehn gife life campaign. the phone hasnt stopped today!

noddyholder · 13/12/2006 21:24

Liver transplants have a high success rate.I am on my second kidney and know only too well how vital these first days are.It is great to hear that there was an organ when he really needed it I hope they all have a lovely xmas together.xx

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