How to Prepare for a Liver Transplant

Liver disease affects people of all ages. The human liver is a medical marvel in which it has the ability to heal itself. Yet there are diseases that render our liver helpless. These include advanced cirrhosis of the liver, chronic hepatitis B and C, fatty liver, or alcoholic liver disease. At this advanced stage, your only option for survival is to undergo a liver transplant. While a liver transplant is a very serious operation, rest assured there are thousands of beautiful success stories out there. Here are a few suggestions to help you along your transplant journey.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. You must wait for a new liver to become available to you once you are registered on the national registry. The length of time that you wait depends on how quickly a match is found. Critical elements that your transplant team will consider include things such as your blood type, your body size, and how critical your situation is. If your condition is grave, then you become priority number one and will be placed at the top of the list.

2. Continue to take all of your current medications. Keep all of your dentist and doctor appointments because your medical team must supervise your condition very closely.

3. Acquirer a pager. This is as simple as looking in the Yellow Pages. Your transplant coordinator must be able to get a hold of you 24 hours a day.

4. Your transplant coordinator is the key player in this situation. Give her all of the possible telephone numbers where you can be reached. The telephone numbers of friends or family should also be given in case your transplant coordinator is unable to get a hold of you.

5. Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice if a possible match is found for you. Pack items from home that you want to bring to the hospital. You should pack your favorite magazines, books, or any other comforting item that you would like.

6. Find out if your transplant will be covered by your health insurance. Some families host a fundraiser that can help with expensive medical bills.

7. Arrange transportation that will bring you to the hospital.

8. Make a list of medications that you are taking and your health insurance information. Keep this with you at all times.

9. Once you arrive at the hospital, further testing will be done. This will reveal if the new liver is suitable for you. Be prepared to be sent home. There are many reasons that a possible match is cancelled. The organ could be damaged or may not function normally. Your liver transplant surgeon will be the one who determines if the transplant will be able to take place.

10. Discuss with your loved ones and friends the tasks that need to be done while you are in the hospital. These can include any important chores such as feeding your pets, saving your mail, or watering your plants.

11. Try to carry on with your life even though you are on a transplant list. Do as much of your daily activities as possible. Try to pick up a new hobby that will help you to focus on other things besides your illness.

12. Share your feelings in a support group. The best advice is from those who have been there.

13. Arrange childcare for your children. Reassure them that there will always be somebody that loves them and will care for them. Answer the questions that they may have.

14. Notify your employer about the necessity of missing work.

Tips & Warnings

• Take good care of yourself by getting enough sleep, and exercise if possible.
• Take time to enjoy your friends and family.