I had a Liver Transplant on Friday 30 April 2004. This is the reason for the new avatar. A Phoenix for those that don't know is the bird that rises from the ashes.


Tears in my eyes but yes I am home glad to read about everyone's support. It's been really hard to believe that all of this did occur over the span of a long weekend. But I was called and scheduled to go to the hospital at 7:30 on Thursday 29 Apr, went into actual surgery at approximately 2:15 am Friday 30 Apr and was out of surgery by 6:00 am Friday 30 Apr. They took out the resperation tubes at about noon. I grins and giggles with my wife Colleen and son Rory and Livia (his girlfriend). Rory has pictures of me through as much as he could shoot with his digital camera. Even a short movie. When I get with him probably some time tomorrow we will try and make a post of it. I will have it linked from to other forums on s2ki if I can figure it out.

Saturday 1 May
Called Colleen and woke her up a 6:00 am singing "Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary!" We only live a ten minute drive from the hospital so she was able to go home and sleep and take care of the dog and cat.
Colleen and I had our 25th wedding anniversary. We got the greatest gift anyone could give, from a young donor.
I got the rest of the damn tubes out of me.
Got out of bed on my own later this day.

Sunday 2 May
Got to lay around a bit but the hardcore in me wanted to get up and out. Listened to a lot of the radio WEMU if you are interested there is a link in my signature that's live.
Got to take a towel bath today also boy did that feel good, no I didn't have to have a nurse do it although several would have gladly done it.
Colleen and her Parents came early about 9 am.
Rory and Livia were in again, along with Colleen everyone wanted to see STARR but she's a bit unruly and a handful. I had pictures of her on the wall in my hospital room.

Monday 3 May
Doctors make rounds again they are all grins and giggles because everything went so well. Had very few questions for them. Talked to a young woman doctor from Urology about......Well I'll just let you figure some stuff out on your own. But suffice it to say EVERYTHING is working well. Spontaneousley!! Some possible embarassing moments but who cares.
Got my first non family vistors as well today Couple of Rory's friends who are just about like family anyway and a couple Colleen and I have known for a while and go to dinners with, they brought me flowers and card. Rory and Livia also gave me flowers and card
WEMU sent me a beautiful Flower Bouquet made of Parrot Tulips, and Orange Roses.

Tuesday 4 May,
Doctors make their rounds still grins and giggles, they had to wait for me to get out of the bathroom, this time. They then told no way to keep me in here and that I would be discharged this afternoon. Around 10 am finally met the Surgeon that did the work on me. Didn't think I would actually get to see him before I got out of there. We agreed that the Stars, the sun, planets, whatever, everything was in alignment for this. The Big Guy was smiling. Something has to come of this.
Colleen shows up and I tell her that I am being discharged just have to finish up some crap. Met with the PT therapist and walked to her office and back about 600 yards climbed steps and got into and out of a car body. She was amazed at my progress and the speed I was walking. Everybody concerned with my care I kept hearing them all say that.
Finally about 3 we get to the car.....Had to take the wheelchariot ride though. Got home and in the door about 4 damned shift change traffic from the hospital and detours around the highest traffic area in Ann Arbor. I was able to sit down at the computer then. Met my dog again, but have to be really subdued with her around, she is really a good dog and knows that something is not quite right with me right now. She has grown a good bit in the 5 days I was in the hospital.

Wednesday 5 May
Woke up this morning in my own bed, not as easy to get out as the hospital bed, higher and no rails to grab onto.
Had to take pain meds last night though they finally wore off by 7ish this morning.
Watched the local news and had breakfast of real eggs not the pour from a carton yolkless things that they call eggs in the hospital. Also real English muffin. About 11:00am went outside for a short walk down the dirt road in my neighborhood, got back in time for lunch and a nap. Oh yeah on top of all of this I am taking about 40 pills a day also split between 8/9 am and then again at 8/9 pm. Some of this to last the rest of my lifetime.

Thursday 6 May
Somewhat sore this morning, but overall not bad. Keeping pain meds to nightly only. The morning regimen of weighing in B/P and temperature all before taking my myriad of pills has begun, well it actually began yesterday. Breakfast at home can’t say it enough. No matter how humble or grand it’s a lot nicer being home than in a hospital room. I will be going for a walk today again in the neighborhood. Rory is “babysitting” me for the afternoon so Colleen can go shopping. He and Livia have been a big help and very good to be around through all of this. Ian and Kim came over for a visit today also. Ian brought his dog Mikka over so STARR and Lucky could all get in some playtime. Rory, Lucky (his dog) and I went for my walk in the neighborhood. I walked the same as before 3 blocks down and 3 blocks up.
Friday 7 May
Can anyone believe it’s only been ONE WEEK since I had my liver removed and another one transplanted in me! I feel great to say the least!
I have my first clinic visit, but it is also a chance to get away from the house for a while, even though it is only back to the Hospital. I get to do a lot of walking there and it’s even easier because the hospital has flat floors. I probably walked further in the hospital with less effort than in my neighborhood, because of that. Well we finally left the clinic, they had me increase my prograf by 1 ml but I could cut my prednisone by 10ml.
Colleen and I had lunch out! Mr. Pita was so good! Colleen and Livia went to Costco leaving in Rory’s care again, actually I think they like having him take care of his cranky old man (it’s mostly the prednisone).

Saturday 8 May
Feeling better day by day, losing a little weight but most of it is water which I am quite happy to say bye-bye to.
I felt up to a big adventure today, so I went to Costco with Colleen and the kids, what a ****ing zoo. Colleen made me use an amigo, all that did was to piss me off even more people don’t get out of your way they park shopping carts around you like you aren’t even there. I will not use one of them again if at all possible. We came home and had lunch. Later, Colleen and I went out again only this time it was a little more civilized as we went to Border’s Books. I looked around for a DVD but didn’t find anything to my liking. We settled on one of the sofas they have in the café area and looked at a magazine while having tea and a muffin.
Steak and rice for dinner! Yes, how nice, too bad I can’t have my steak rare like I really like it, but for now everything has to be cooked more thoroughly. I feel a little sorer tonight, but I did a lot today. I took a pain pill shortly after my 8/9 pm pill regimen, and took some more around midnight, and another at 3:30 am.