Subject: RE: Barry Finn - Four: Post Op
From:
Ferrara
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 05:23 PM
Okay, I agree this might be a good idea. Here is my post from BARRY THREE on post-op recovery, followed by Kat's. I'd like to see Mark's and my posts about donors, copied to a thread of thanks to Barry's donors, if that happens. I think it's a very good idea, although the message will have to be transmitted via Barry and all references to his name may have to be edited out first! I'll talk a bit more about that in the donor thread.
Here's my earlier post:
This is such good news, that the surgery went well and Barry is doing fine. Somehow I feel certain he will do extremely well.
A transplant is a bit different from other types of operations. It might make it a easier on Barry if I give people a few ideas of what to expect.
As you can tell from how long it took, Barry just had complex major surgery. Livers have an elaborate blood supply and all those blood vessels had to be connected to the new liver. A miracle indeed. But it leaves you pretty sore. He'll probably sleep through most of the next few days. It will probably be three or more days before he can talk to anyone, or even wants to! (Then, knowing Barry, he'll be taking calls the minute he gets to a room with a phone!) The four-week hospital stay is sort of an average, it could be longer or a bit shorter. Susan, thanks for reminding us that Barry has to take care of himself first of all. He'll need to pace himself and there may be times when it's hard to understand that even if he looks fine, he needs to slow down.
The surgery is just the start of the "transplant experience." The whole first year is a challenge. One heart patient said, "It's like being tied to that hospital with an umbilical cord!" There are labs and check-ups and changes in the medication for quite some time -- actually, for the rest of your life, but the pace slows after the first year.
He'll be taking large doses of immune-suppressing medicine. PLEASE CHECK WITH HIM BEFORE YOU HUG HIM!!! -- at least, if you've been around anybody with a cold or flu recently.
And, those drugs can have all kinds of "interesting" side effects. Can't predict what they might be. But be sensitive to the fact that he's going to be going around loaded up with powerful drugs for about a year. (After that, they start tapering you off a bit.) He hopes to be back at work pretty quickly. The thing is, it's not very predictable, you just have to wait and see how it all goes. I believe it's going to go very well indeed, but almost everyone has a few ups and downs at first.
We're all going to have to watch out not to "kill him with kindness." Barry's the best judge of how he feels, but we need to be sensitive and responsive if he doesn't feel he can get back fully into the swing of things at first. One of the hardest things for me was people who didn't understand why I couldn't participate fully and just pick up my old life right away.
If anyone can do that, it will be Barry! But it will sure help, I think, if his friends understand if there are times when it's not quite possible.
Thanks for listening. I with someone had explained these things to my friends after my transplant!
Rita Ferrara
And here is Kat's post:
Thanks, Rita, I was going to ask you about that, but didn't want to put you on the spot. It is very helpful to hear from one whose been there and it is much appreciated.
When I think of just what it took for me to get back up to speed after a hysterectomy, I can just imagine the time and adjustment it takes to assimilate a whole new organ. I hope Barry will be really good at listening to his body, first, and go with what it needs and not feel pressured, by his own eagerness, or anyone else, to get going, again. Just as you point out it will take time and lots of nurturing.
kat
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sj
