Wow... what a difference 7 10 1/2 hours of surgery can make:
Thursday August 23, 2012 --continued --
6:00 am -- Newspaper lady came bye & said "THE ANGELS ARE TAKING OVER"
7:00 am -- Update -- "All is still going along well".
9:38 am -- Update -- "Still moving along".
11:28 am -- Update -- "Finished". Moved to the Consult Room.
CONSULT ROOM WITH DR. RAVINDRA
Donna, Dad (Bob) & Ann are in the room ---
Surgery (under knife) went VERY WELL. Since Chip is a large man and is so sick it took a while to get things arranged. Liver was as good of a match as it could be. Due to the resistance of the original liver the portal vein was clogged. Only one unit of blood was given during the procedure.
Next step: keep scanning the abdomen for blood flow. One in twenty have issues. If an issue arises (NOT EXPECTED) then he immediately goes back on the donor list but becomes #1 on the NATIONAL DONOR LIST.
ICU for about two days.
Complications usually occur in the first few weeks. (they don't necessarily show up immediately). Rejection of the liver is within the first 3 to 6 months.
Clearly must be VERY CAUTIOUS. After the first year the life expectency is very good. The liver starts working slowly. About 30 to 40 pounds will be shed in the next two weeks.
It will take months to rebuild the muscles. Fluid will no longer have to be drawn off him. Feet will stay swollen for a month because protein levels have been so low. He wil be puffy for a few days to a week.
The liver can not be donated to someone else. It gets ONE EXTRA BODY chane chance and then it is done.
The above is just what was taken from the notes that I made from the consultation. It may not all be EXACTLY as the Dr. said but it is close. Sorry for typos. We are now on recovery ICU floor waiting to go see him.
When I first walked into see Chip last night I said "It's a fine night for a liver". So far.... it has been. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. We need them and appreciate them. Also, AGAIN, we realize and do NOT take for granted how this process has worked in our favor with very few odds against us. While we are sorry for the loss of the donors life we are ever so grateful for their choice to be an organ donor. BLESSINGS ARE IN ABUNDANCE --- Angels on your Pillow -- Next step is to see Chip and then speak to the social worker. I then need to locate housing in the area. It's a good issue to have as we thought we had a few months to do this homework but it will be done.
Again, many thanks for your love and support!
The Entire Bryant Family
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