A Rather Different World

One of the follow up matters after liver transplant was that I needed to be on anti-rejection drugs all my life.

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Steroids subdue the immune system to prevent the body from rejecting implanted items by killing the alien liver. I could not eat and take medicines by mouth after surgery, but through intravenous. The day after transferring from ICU to the Solid Organ Transplant Ward, I could take liquid food for breakfast. Without any issue, solid food was added. When my whole digestive system could function the in and out procedure, the nurse gave me a handout of medication for transplant patients and reminded me to get familiar with the content. Other than that, a bag of medicines and two kinds of supplements were given.

 

From my memory, the bag included three kinds of steroids; medicines to treat hepatitis infection and pulmonary infection (because the donor was a carrier, not a patient, of a particular virus); blood thinner; hypertension and irregular heartbeat; vitamin D; calcium and high dosage of magnesium. One kind of steroid suppressed the function of my pancreas and raised my blood sugar level a few times higher. So apart from taking diet for diabetes patients, insulin injection was required after discharge. The injector in spiny red resembled a stylistic Parker ink pen. After use, it was treated as an item for collection.

 

After three months my body improved in accepting the anti-rejection drugs which could be reduced in dosage. When the one raising my blood sugar level was stopped, the level returned to the borderline index before transplant. There was no need to pinch my thighs and abdomen. My case was closed by the specialist and referred back to my family doctor for follow-up.

 

My vocal cord was hurt by the tube inserted into my lung for quite a long time during hospitalization. It recovered gradually during the same period. I started by making sounds and followed by words. With better strength, short conversation was practised. My case was closed by the specialist. I was relieved and did not need to worry about losing my job as counselor because of no voice.

 

There were two minor operations to be attended. The first was corrective. To implant the new liver into my body, a short tube was inserted to connect and stabilize the veins from both parties because the width of the veins did not match. Observation was needed to decide if corrective surgery was necessary. Luckily the veins from both parties integrated nicely. I didn't need to have one more slash.

 

The second one was that water accumulation was found inside my body. I was scheduled to release the water in the hospital. Community nursing service would continue at my residence if accumulation persisted. Luckily, no accumulation was found during the ultrasound examination and no operation was needed. While lying on bed, excitedly I said “happy” two times which made both the technician and the doctor laugh.