Help Save Mike

Thanks and peace to you all. It has taken a long time for me to write this update.

Previous to Mike’s health issues - he always signed the back of his drivers license to be a donor and donated blood. In October someone was on life support due to an accident and they were giving their precious organ. Mike was called and jumped at the chance.

Despite hours of work and multiple doctors at NW medical on his case, his body just could not accept this organ due to an undiagnosed condition. He passed away in the midst of his liver surgery.

Right before he was wheeled in we were holding hands and he was full of hope for more years, for better health, to see his children graduate from high school and begin their adult lives.

If you can, give the gift of HOPE. Be a donor.

Living Donor Organ Transplantation The Organ Transplant Center is a leader in living donor transplant surgery. Learn more.

Hi everyone!

Had a bit of a setback last week thanks to problematic esophageal varices, but that has been dealt with for the time being.

Most recent MELD score was 18, so no major changes in my overall condition.

The search continues, so please like and share my page.

Peace and love to all.

Hi everyone!

Not much to report in terms of things changing. MELD score has stayed pretty consistent and my general health is still about the same too.

Potentially interested donors should call the transplant nurse coordinator at the Northwestern Medicine donor hotline at 312-695-0340 with any questions and/or to begin the process.

This is me back when I was going through chemo in 2016.

Much better hair now, but a lot more energy and muscle back then!

Thanks to the tremendous support I was fortunate to receive, I somehow made it through that phase.

Only about 14% of the people who get diagnosed with what I had are still alive 5 years later, so I look at it as all bonus time since then.

Here’s the thing though: even if you don’t have a deadly diagnosis of one kind or another, no one really knows how much time they have left.

Look for ways to enjoy!

Peace and love to all.

Eagle River man receives rare living-donor liver transplant from his nephew The organ donation likely saved 54-year-old Tim Seafler’s life: Waitlists for organs from deceased donors are long, and living in Alaska makes it hard to be a last-minute standby candidate.

The first successfully performed living-donor liver transplant was performed in 1989 by a team from the University of Chicago. They removed a section of liver from a 29-year old Texas woman, Teresa A. Smith, and transplanted it into her 21-month-old daughter, Alyssa

The New York Times published an article about it on November 27, 1989:
https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/27/us/first-us-liver-transplant-from-live-donor-is-set.html

Alyssa went on to graduate from college in 2010!
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/news/first-living-donor-liver-transplant-recipient-graduates-from-college-may-9 #:~:text=On%20November%2027%2C%201989%2C%20a,21%2Dmonth%2Dold%20daughter.

Anyone interested in exploring becoming a living liver donor should call the donor hotline at 312-695-0340

First U.S. Liver Transplant From Live Donor Is Set (Published 1989) AdvertisementContinue reading the main storySupported byContinue reading the main storyFirst U.S. Liver Transplant From Live Donor Is SetBy Gina KolataNov. 27, 1989Credit...The New York Times ArchivesSee the article in its original context from November 27, 1989, Section A, Page 1Buy ReprintsView on...

Another sign/symptom of liver disease is skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice). Mike does experience this, although the severity depends on how well (or poorly!) the biliary system is draining, which fluctuates a bit over time.

Anyone interested in exploring becoming a living liver donor should call the donor hotline at 312-695-0340

Any list of sign/symptom of liver disease typically includes abdominal pain and swelling. This is also something Mike is dealing with.

Because his biliary drainage system is so damaged, the abdominal region is subject to bloating and can sometimes be a bit painful. In fact, during one of the biliary procedures Mike has undergone, the medical team drained about 3 liters of fluid out of the abdominal region. This susceptibility to fluid build-up is also why Mike is on diuretics (also known as water pills).

Anyone interested in exploring becoming a living liver donor should call the donor hotline at 312-695-0340

Anyone interested in exploring becoming a living donor should call the donor hotline at 312-695-0340

Thought it would be helpful for those following this page to know what the signs and symptoms of liver disease are.

Any such list of signs and symptoms will include chronic fatigue. This is definitely something Mike is feeling. It doesn't seem to matter how much sleep happens either, with the caveat that not getting a full night's worth results in more fatigue than normal.

Happy Independence Day!

May we continue to strive towards a more perfect union.

Quick update on things...

We're aware that a few people have contacted the donor hotline at 312-695-0340. Thank you for considering the process.

If a potential donor is interested, please do make sure you are taking the initiative in terms of contacting the transplant team and staying in touch about the status. In order to maintain high ethical standards and make sure the process is entirely voluntary, they will not track you down or aggressively pursue you about any next steps.

In terms of how Mike is doing; Other than, you know, having liver disease and dealing with the constraints that involves, Mike is feeling good and is still working and living life. MELD score has been holding steady in the low 20 range so not much has changed there.

Thanks again for supporting us and peace and love to all.