New member

[michaelabshire]

I'm a 64 year old male who received liver transplant 11/30/07.  Thought my age meant I would not be eligible for transplant.  Doing well so far.  Take 3 prograf, 2 cellcept a day.  No steroids.  Had hcv, cirrhosis, hepato cellular carcinoma (hcc).  Diagnosed mid Oct 2007, very blessed, received liver 11/30.  Have very few side affects except occasional diarrhea.  The biggest problem I have is not putting on enough weight.   I drink glucerna 2 cans a day.  I walk a couple miles every other day and I lift light weights every other day, to get back my strength and stamina.

[JulieAnn]

Welcome Michael!  My brother has Hep C and had a liver transplant about 3 years ago.  I come here regularly for help and support and the folks here have helped me so much.  It's good to hear how well you are doing and I'm glad you have joined us.  My brother also struggles with putting weight on.  Keep us posted on your progress!

Julie

[MissyMouse]

Welcome to our little corner of the web Mike!  So glad to h ear that you are doing well after your tp.

Mouse

[Squeaker1]

Wecome Mike and congratulations on your new liver and the fact that you are doing so well with it.  There are some others here on the site that gotten new livers so you have something in common with them.  We are ALL here for support and friendship.  Glad you came over.

Hugs, Squeaker

[beingbecky]

Hi Mike,

Glad to hear things are going well for you! That's great...Glad you found us.

Keep coming back.

Becky 

[robin]

Hey Mike...we are at about the same post post-transplant...my year anniversary is on Nov. 22 (2007). Welcome and I'm happy you found this forum. You will find there is a lot of support here for members who are nearing or post transplant and dealing with hepatitis C. If you don't mind, where were you transplanted? I got mine in Arkansas and Hank (another member) was transplanted in Pittsburg. I'm sure you will hear from him soon, he has certainly helped guide me through my first year.
I take GenGraf (sides from ProGraf were too neurotoxic for me) and am no longer on Cellcept because it lowered my white counts too much.
Have you tried using carnation instant breakfast with a scoop of ice cream and protein powder to try to add weight? I've had no problem with weight loss due to the steroids I take. Since you are drinking glucerna, I'm assuming you are still having trouble controlling your blood sugar so you would need to look for a sugar free instant breakfast, if you tried to do that route. Has your transplant team recommended a dietary consult for the weight loss. I initially lost about 30 pounds but it was all fluids that had accumulated because of the liver failure.
Will you be attempting treatment for the hep? Have you ever tried treatment?
OK...will back off the questions. I'm really happy to have met you. Keep your spirits high...robin

[michaelabshire]

I was transplanted in houston tx at the va hospital. I was the first veteren to received a liver at the va hospital. This was a big event. I had a bad case of diarrhea for three weeks so this was cause of weight lose.Before transplant i weighed 170 now 160. I put two cans of glucerna,one banana, six starwberries into a blender. The taste is drinkable. After i was taken off of prednisone my blood suger was normel. I was glad to be taken off of prednisone. I would like to thank everyone for the e-mails. My transplant doctor said i would feel 20 years younger and sometimes i do.

[Lee]

Welcome to the site Michael....so glad to hear that you are doing well after your transplant...you will find much help, caring and friendship here....hope to hear from you often.

Blessings to all,

Lee