....I had my life-saving and life-altering liver transplant; I think that merits one final entry in Caring Bridge.

According to the latest official statistics, the 5-year relative survival rate for extrahepatic bile duct cancer (what I had) is about 10%. And even for those cases caught in the early stage (like mine, thankfully), the survival rate is only about 17%. I remember reading those stats shortly after I was diagnosed, taking a deep breath, and wondering where in those statistics I would land.

Earlier this year I had a regular check-up with my hepatologist. At the end of the visit, she looked at me, smiled, and said purposefully, "Enjoy your family, Eugene. Enjoy your life." I thought hard on her words at the time. She had been there since the beginning and knew better than anybody how crappy BDC really is, so she was undoubtedly pleased with how far I had come.

But I think there was another subtle message. They generally stop tracking survival rates at 5 years, but there are no guarantees with BDC, at any time. So today I give my daily thanks to my anonymous donor, will try hard to remain in the moment, and enjoy my family and life. Doctor's orders.