Kevin Eckhoff Kevin & Beanie Eckhoff

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Hi!



Short story version: My dad (Beanie Eckhoff) was diagnosed with PSC in the last couple years.  PSC (the first word is "Primary" - I can neither spell nor properly pronounce either of the other two words) lead to total cirrhosis of his liver.  



When we found he needed a transplant, I didn't realize that a person could be a Living Donor for a liver transplant.  I mean, you only have one liver, right? 



As it turns out, our liver - when healthy - regenerates at an amazing rate.  Like, if all goes well, I should have a fully regrown liver in 3-4 weeks.  Crazy!



So, we went through evaluation at the Mayo in Rochester, MN last year.  I passed all the tests and found out in late December that they had confirmed I am a match for my dad.  Elation!



We were hoping to do the transplant in February 2017, but a routine checkup for my dad found that he would require heart bypass surgery before he could have the transplant.  The surgeon told him that his heart was fine for an otherwise healthy 63 year old, but the stress of the transplant would require them to go in and fix some blockages. So he had triple bypass surgery at the Mayo in February.  



His recovery has gone very well and he is now healthy enough for the transplant.  Some of his liver indicators have made it important to do the transplant as soon as possible, so we will both be in Rochester starting on June 22nd.  We will go through pre-op evaluations on Friday, June 23rd.  The surgery is schedule for Monday, June 26th.



My wife, Laura, will post updates when possible after the surgery.  I will post updates before and after (but definitely not during) the surgery.  That will be based on how "with it" I am at the time.



Thank you to everyone for the support, love, and prayers for all of us during this whole process!