Liver / Kidney

[urgent4liver]

August 16, 2007



I just found out in Feb. 2007, my son needs kidneys and liver transplant. Liver-URGENT! ( HE NEEDS AN ORGAN - DONORS, he is a type 0 negative and can only be matched with a type 0 negative or 0 positive) He weighs 175 lbs. He says he has known for about a year now. Recently told me he has several lesions on his liver. ( Would need a whole liver donated ) Not good I know, if you know of something, real-medicine that works or could work, ....Urgently......He is not on dialysis. He say's he has one kidney functioning, at what percent ? He has to have a liver, right now, I know.... I also, want to get him out of that thinking, you just don't give up, unless there just is no other alternative. Meaning, you've tried everything and nothing else works. He has been through so much in the past two years (marriage, divorce, debt, depression) now this, he is just beat down and I think he has given up and given up hope, scared and maybe in denial or disbelief that this is all happening, which I am blown away, also by it all myself and I am trying to cope, deal with it and understand it all, myself. I am trying to stay strong for my son, so I can get him through this and maybe the help he needs and to also try to get him on dialysis, before it is to late. ( The help he needs, now-Liver.........)..He also needs to realize he can live on dialysis with some lifestyle changes and doing what he is suppose to do and if we can get him a liver. ( He will eventually die, if he does not get a liver and go on dialysis) If, dialysis would even help right now? I don't know....He just turned 25, very smart, can be stubborn at times, proud, independant, little patients sometimes, means well although and has a good heart and a very good sarcastic since of humor, went to college at the age of 17 and recieved all his certificates, degrees. Has always helped others, money, place to live free or little money, fixing cars, several odd jobs doing almost anything, etc. .... Tutored college students and co-workers, so they would pass tests and finals to move foward or to get promotions and more money. He has always wanted to find the right girl, to settle down with and have a family of his own.. Very good job, good at what he does and could go on disability, has good insurance-it would cover everything...for now....( Works alot and very hard ) He is worried about paying his bills and house, truck and debt. Trying to get him to realize, his life is worth more and more important....He works very long hours and a lot of heavy lifting and hard work. Was just getting his life all back together and still is....now this happens. I love him, so very much and we just need your help and support in showing him he is cared for and loved. ( He is a type 0 negative ) he is 175 lbs.



(I guess in other words were praying and hoping for a miracle....soon......)

Thank You.........

His Mother

[DoriSchatell]

I'm sorry to hear that your son needs a liver and kidney--at the very young age of 25. One option you might consider is living donation--it is possible for a living donor to give a part of a liver as well as a kidney if there is a match. Live liver donation is much more dangerous than kidney donation, though, and not something to do without a lot of thought.

We are not equipped to help find organs. Presumably your son is registered with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). This isn't automatic, he would have to have testing and take the steps needed to get on the list. So, if he hasn't done that yet, it's something he needs to do.

If he needs a liver, he may as well get a kidney, too, and avoid dialysis; he'd need the immunosuppressants anyway. If, for some reason, he gets a liver and not a kidney, please know that there are a number of different ways to do dialysis, some of which allow a MUCH more normal lifestyle than standard, in-center hemodialysis done 3x/week. You can learn about the home dialysis on one of our other sites, Home Dialysis Central (http://www.homedialysis.org).

Life can still be good despite organ transplants or dialysis. At 25, your son has a lot of living left to do. I wish him luck, and please feel free to ask other kidney questions.
(Please note that I will, however, delete the duplicate posts).