As some of you may already know, earlier this year I found myself unexpectedly in need of a liver transplant. I will be using this site to keep family and friends updated in one place. I appreciate your support and words of encouragement.
Since I am starting this page part way through my treatment and many of you may not know everything that has happened, details of what has happened up to late November are in my journey (told by Mom) below:
MATT’S JOURNEY
On July 18th, Matt was in California for his job. Upon trying to return home, he experienced severe upper right abdominal pain at the airport and had to go to the ER. While there the CT scan showed some masses in his liver, one of which had hemorrhaged, thus causing the pain. The ER helped him with the pain. He was able to go home to Denver on the 19th, where he saw his primary care provider. This was followed up with referral to the Liver Multispecialty Team at University of Colorado Health in Denver. Following many tests and biopsies, and weekly discussions by the doctors and providers, it was decided that Matt should be evaluated for living donor transplant, and his care was transferred to the Liver Transplant team. The mass involves a substantial portion of his liver and resection is not an option. At that time, and still today, Matt does not qualify for a deceased donor transplant.
Once the decision was made to move forward towards a living donor transplant, they began with an extensive 2 day evaluation of Matt’s health. He was then approved for transplant.
Then the search for a living donor was started. Several people have stepped forward and agreed to be evaluated for possibly being the donor of a portion of their liver. The Liver Team is now going about the process of going through these potential donors and finding the best candidate. It all starts with being the same blood type, between the ages of 18–55, in great health, and having a large enough liver to donate enough for Matt and enough for themselves to keep. Both the donor and the recipient pieces of liver will regenerate and grow back to near full size. If you would like to learn more about the process you can visit this website. www.uchealth.org/services/transplant-services/living-donation (
http://www.uchealth.org/services/transplant-services/living-donation).
Matt has received a series of 2 Radioembolization procedures. One on each lobe of his liver. An Interventional Radiologist performed these procedures in which they deliver tiny radioactive spheres directly into the mass in his liver by catheter through his arteries. This procedure was used to ready the liver for removal, stunt any potential further growth or spread of the mass, and potentially shrink the mass. It also limits the effects on any surrounding healthy tissues.
We now await the determination of a donor, and the scheduling of the transplant.
