Celebrating a remarkable liver transplant journey

By Tia R. Ford

For her one-year anniversary, Luana Q., a Mayo Clinic affected person, shares her liver transplant story. Luana was the 4,000th affected person to obtain a liver transplant for the reason that program started at Mayo Clinic in Florida in 1998. For her transplant, the staff used normothermic regional perfusion to protect the donated organ. This progressive strategy makes use of a machine to go blood by way of organs in a donor’s physique after the center has irreversibly stopped beating. The process additionally permits for a wide range of therapeutic interventions, probably enhancing the organ’s high quality earlier than transplantation.

On Oct. 22, 2022, I had my liver transplant at Mayo Clinic in Florida. I stay in New Smyrna Seaside which is an hour and a half away from Jacksonville. I’m so grateful for the donor who gave me the chance to proceed to stay a wholesome life after my transplant.

I had liver cancer by the title of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This most cancers developed from having hepatitis C in prior years. Despite the fact that I went by way of the medical therapy of riboflavin and interferon for one 12 months, and the therapy was profitable (the hepatitis C was now not detectable), we continued to watch my bloodwork and liver biopsies.

In 2016, throughout a routine examination, a lesion was found on my liver which turned out to be HCC liver most cancers. My physician made preparations for me to go to Mayo for additional care.

My tumor was bigger than acceptable for me to be a transplant candidate; nevertheless, the Mayo staff didn’t hand over. I used to be given the chance to have Y90 radioembolizationthe place a particular radiation particularly focused the tumor on my liver to shrink it.

Prayers have been answered and the tumor shrank, so I might be positioned on the liver transplant record. I needed to wait six months for my Mannequin for Finish-stage Liver Illness (MELD) rating to extend, which positioned me ready to be referred to as sooner for a transplant.

On Sept. 23, 2022, I acquired “the decision” to return to Mayo for a attainable liver transplant, however, sadly, the organ donor’s liver was unsuitable for transplant, and the surgical procedure was canceled. That was disappointing, however I’m glad my care staff completely examined the organ.

Quickly after, I used to be referred to as once more on Oct. 22, 2022, and had a profitable liver transplant. I used to be given one of the best staff of medical doctors and nurses who gave me probably the most great care. I remained within the hospital for 4 days and continued my keep on the Gabriel Home for an additional 4 weeks so I might return to Mayo for follow-up monitoring.

I’m so honored to be the 4,000th liver transplant affected person and reward Mayo for all of the lives they modify by efficiently caring for every affected person and their wants. The groups actually care, and I by no means felt like only a quantity as that generally occurs. I actually love the care that I proceed to obtain.

I really feel every day is a particular present, and I actually am grateful to Mayo Clinic and my organ donor. I thank God for his love and mercy for me, and giving me this glorious present.

– Luana Q.

Study extra

Study extra about liver cancer and find a liver cancer clinical trial at Mayo Clinic.

Be a part of the Transplants Support Group or the Cancer Support Group on Mayo Clinic Join, a web based neighborhood for sufferers and caregivers.

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A model of this text was initially revealed on the Mayo Clinic News Network.