Daddy's first day home: Happy Father's Day. Meds. Other patients.

Dad got home last night to a housefull of dogs, children, a grandchild, wife, mother, sister and her fiance. Barbecue was going, and dad got to sit in his chair.

It was an uncomfortable time, trying to get into a position that wasn't painful. In the hospital, he didn't have much pain, but he was uncomfortable in his whole upper back and abdomen. As he had to have his diaphragm cut away from the liver adhesed to it (the old one), we thought maybe that might be part of the problem.

Today, the 19th, we went back to the hospital's Hepatology clinic for the first follow up. His doctor says all things look good so far. Later today, he'll hear about the bloodwork they did today (checking the antirejection drugs and other levels) and the X-ray they did of his abdomen (to make sure there's nothing blocking his G-I tract). Hopefully it is just slow moving.

At the hospital, we met up with many other patients there for their follow up visits for transplant. Many, if not most of whom we met (and their families) were also liver transplant patients. One woman had had two transplants, and was still having some difficulties. Her first transplant was rejected and she had a second transplant a year later. Another man was there with his wife/partner. They live in Grand Rapids, MI, but this hospital was the closest they could get. (That's about 4-5 hours away.) They had to come in twice a week for bloodwork, and their insurance didn't cover housing needed when they stayed nearby.

The medications he is on are many; several antirejection medications which reduce the ability of the immune system to reject this new organ. The downside of this is that his immune system is reduced. He wears a mask when around sick people (who stay away, ideally), children, pets and out in public. Also, he isn't allowed to work in soil, with animal clean up; pets have their feet wiped well everytime they go out/come in. This makes an anti-yeast (thrush, happens in the mouth) medication necessary. Also, pain medication, fiber medication to help with regularity. Other medications total 10. Some are taken "as needed", but most are necessary. The anitrejection medications are for life. The schedule of medications is quite complicated, as you can imagine! He'll be using one of these: http://tinyurl.com/rq5w7

Check out the linked websites for more information!