[Geewiz]

I've read a number of threads about the hostility on TOTV. It's true - though every forum has it's trolls and flamers. Given the environment of TV which is generally very gentle - the anger which occasionally shows on TOTV is jarring.

Still, TOTV has connected me with a ton of wonderful people.

This has become important as my liver is failing (it started going gimpy when I was in my 20's and is now getting critical).

Ellen and Kitty keep me on course...and challenge me to take proactive steps to get well and a transplant. Gracie has connected me with someone who had a transplant and taught me the easiest ways to get a liver. This info may save my life. All friends made via TOTV.

TOTV is a great resource. Thanks to the admins and mods (even though they sometimes admonish me for great lines like "carnival of idiots").

Let's honor a great resource.

[asianthree]

always sending my good thoughts your way

[gomoho]

glad to hear someone is keeping you on track - believe and it will happen.

[Parker]

Amen Geewiz.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Geewiz

I've read a number of threads about the hostility on TOTV. It's true - though every forum has it's trolls and flamers. Given the environment of TV which is generally very gentle - the anger which occasionally shows on TOTV is jarring.

Still, TOTV has connected me with a ton of wonderful people.

This has become important as my liver is failing (it started going gimpy when I was in my 20's and is now getting critical).

Ellen and Kitty keep me on course...and challenge me to take proactive steps to get well and a transplant. Gracie has connected me with someone who had a transplant and taught me the easiest ways to get a liver. This info may save my life. All friends made via TOTV.

TOTV is a great resource. Thanks to the admins and mods (even though they sometimes admonish me for great lines like "carnival of idiots").

Let's honor a great resource.

In the recovery moment, they have a saying “Let Go, and Let God” which does have some profound wisdom. Instead of believing we are 100% in control – it is often smarter to do what it is ours to do, and let it go. Divine, Source or Spirit can then help create a solution to whatever challenge we are facing. Ever have the experience where you didn’t know how something was going to get fixed? Or done? And then you prayed and somehow a miraculous solution presented itself.

Sincere good wishes for success in receiving your new organ transplant.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

In the recovery moment, they have a saying “Let Go, and Let God” which does have some profound wisdom. Instead of believing we are 100% in control – it is often smarter to do what it is ours to do, and let it go. Divine, Source or Spirit can then help create a solution to whatever challenge we are facing. Ever have the experience where you didn’t know how something was going to get fixed? Or done? And then you prayed and somehow a miraculous solution presented itself.

Sincere good wishes for success in receiving your new organ transplant.

Beautiful post Senior.

[redwitch]

Good luck, gee. Go fight the fight and don't give up, not even for one second!

TOTV has some remarkable people on it. So glad you found some that will help you and keep you on track.

[Quixote]

I have a friend who waited and waited for an organ transplant. Was promised one—and the promise was broken! Waited and waited again, more frustrated than ever. Then out of the clear blue, a friend offered to donate—and everything worked out great! Hang in there; one never knows....

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Quixote

I have a friend who waited and waited for an organ transplant. Was promised one—and the promise was broken! Waited and waited again, more frustrated than ever. Then out of the clear blue, a friend offered to donate—and everything worked out great! Hang in there; one never knows....

That was a blessing.........but we only have one liver, right?
So, it would have to be from a newly deceased person.....right?

As far as livers go, our niece's mother in law was treated for the past five years at Duke University in North Carolina.......she had liver cancer.
She is still alive and was given a clean bill of health. The treatment was state of the art with all types of nuclear inplants, then sectioning the liver, then more nuclear type treatment........but never chemotherapy. They would slice off sections during surgery. Not sure what it is all called, but she'd end up feverish......and then was sent home. She's alive and well and has lived to see two grandbabes born and one enter school.

I'm thinking "nuclear isotopes"......but not sure. Something was implanted into her diseased liver.........and she's really good today.

She also had tumors in her appendix, pancreas, etc......all over the abdomen. Duke Univ. is a top knotch teaching hospital/medical school, etc. I believe Teddy Kennedy went their for his brain tumor.

Years ago, liver cancer was not treated so successfully......as we knew a few who had it who did business with us.....but I do remember speaking to them and their children right before the end.........which was painless in all cases.

I realize there are all types of liver issues that are not cancer; just stating a positive outcome in someone we know.........normally, there is no five year prognosis...........but she's done it. One fallback of the state of the art treatment.......and they told her this........she has early onset dementia in her early 50's.

[DianeM]

Good luck Gee. Glad that you have support to help you get through.

[asianthree]

no you can have a split liver from living donor

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

That was a blessing.........but we only have one liver, right?
So, it would have to be from a newly deceased person.....right?

Actually, there is now what is called a "living transplant" that involves just a portion of a healthy liver. This is a regenerating organ, so in a best-case scenario, both the donor and the recipient will have a healthy liver that essentially re-grows. Pretty awesome stuff.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

Actually, there is now what is called a "living transplant" that involves just a portion of a healthy liver. This is a regenerating organ, so in a best-case scenario, both the donor and the recipient will have a healthy liver that essentially re-grows. Pretty awesome stuff.

Yes, thank you. I have read that the liver is a regenerating organ.

I checked back with the daughter in law. First of all, the m.i.l. had endocrine cancer of all the abdominal organs. Smaller tumors were removed.

She had half a dozen or more procedures on the liver.
There was some "slicing" off of the liver.
There was also many treatments of radiofrequency ablation.

Normally, it would takes months to recover from liver cancer surgery.

But, with radiofrequency "ablation" , which uses radio wave energy to HEAT THE TUMOR and "ablate" or destroy it........recovery can be at home.

A probe is directed through the skin, via scanner, directly to the site of the liver tumors.........the probe is hooked to an electronic device that delivers radiofrequency energy from the tip of slender needles protruding from the probe............multiple needle passes are used for HEATING larger tumors, ultimately leaving the patient with adequate liver function.

The tissue that is being heated literally "bubbles" because it is heated to boiling temperatures of 100 degrees Celsius? The needles are then slowly withdrawn and the patient can go home......

The side effects are minimal.......I'm reading :
FEVER, MALAISE, NAUSEA. That's exactly what she had.

Radiofrequency ablation is considered "palliative"........it's meant to reduce the size of liver tumors, plus to decrease the bulk of tumors that secrete noxious hormones......RATHER than eradicate all of the cancer.

I do remember "the beginning" when she was hospitilized and the secreting hormones "acted up" after eating things like bananas????
I believe she also had hot flashes........thinking it was menopause.

It gives patients hope. I guess the daughter in law and her mom assumed it was a total cure........but that's not exactly what Duke University is saying........

It's NOT a cure for the cancer.........but it extends life. It's palliative.
I learned something new today.........I keep her in my prayers; it has extended her life in order to see grandchildren born, grow, etc.

The radio isotopes?? came from Australia????????????

They were slow growing "carcinoid" tumors......and "neuroendocrine" tumors.......

[Lbmb24101]

I am not an expert, but i think one can donate liver in parts, so one can be alive and still donate a section of the liver.
Gee, you are in my thoughts for sure. I am so glad you have made good friends in TOTV!
And I do agree, this forum is great!

[rubicon]

I do believe that since the following topics will solicit the usual responses regarding the pro's and con's that it may be in everyone's best interest to skip them altogether

Is TOTV a good place to live?
Dog poop
Crazy drivers carts/cars includes signals, round-ab-outs, etc.
Restaurants
Contractors
Dog owners
Priority membership
The Developer or a facimile therof
Jodi Arias, Casey Anthony or any other stupid trial of its sort

My reason is we need a respite from the continuing barage of ad nauseam reporting we are getting from newspapr, television, etc
As my boyhood hero says "I can't stands no more."

One of the things I like best about my wife is that she will not allow herself to be unhappy. I am finally trying to imulate this intelligent practice and ignore all of this noise. Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm