There is no such thing as a normal transplant.

[Guest guest]

When my wife Lori was first placed on the waiting list, we asked how

long a normal transplant surgery would take and what would be the

typical recovery.

The answer is there is no " normal " transplant and there is no

" typical " recovery. Lori had a colectomy on February 1 (2005), a liver

transplant on the 3rd, and remained in ICU until the 11th. Those

eleven days seemed like an eternity. Since then, she's had a few

scares with potential rejetion, caused when they tries to take her off

prednisone too quickly (Lori has now been off prednisone for about 8

months). But for the most part (and since February and March of 2005

are so long ago it seems that it couldn't possibly have really

happened), all is good.

When people would ask me about the experience or would talk about what

they thought were similar experiences, my response would always be

that you have no idea. They insist that they do, but they have no idea

what it was like.

I have read about Ken's and Tim's experience and at times it is quite

uplifting and other times it is very sad and distessing. Their stories

have caused me to remember some specific incidents, some pleasant,

some not so pleasant. I especially feel for their families since I can

most directly relate to them. I'll keep praying for Ken, Tim, and

their families. I'll also continue to advocate organ donation among my

friends and acquaintance since that's the best way I can contribute

today for those who are in need of organ transplants.