Loren Bruce
Loren Bruce
 

this site began with the mission to find a Living liver donor for loren. Now …

Loren has a new liver

As of July 14, 2019, Loren became a liver recipient. What an exciting journey this has been. His journey took twists and turns no one could have foreseen. These pages tell the story of how he received his new liver, how he got his new lease on life and what his life is like now.

We decided to leave the original posts up (which were first published in July 2018) so you could see the process we went through to find a donor for Loren. What you will find below, if you scroll down, are the appeals we published to secure a donor for Loren. (They are left unedited.)

If you click right here (or the tab above, A New Life: The Journey) you can read all of the latest updates. They will tell you the rest of the story. Loren is in the process, right now, of writing more updates. Fill out the contact form if you’d like to be notified when a new post is published.

 
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Scroll down for original contenT:
The Mission to Find Loren a Donor

(The following letter was written back in July of 2018, with the assistance of my sister, Gail Hyatt.)

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Hi, I'm Loren Bruce.

Some of you may already know me. Maybe you’re one of my family members, maybe you’re a dear friend of mine, maybe we went to school together. Perhaps we’ve shared an office together or maybe we only know each other casually. Some of you may not know me at all. However you got here, I want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to read my story.

The bottom line is that I’m in need of a liver transplant. I’m sixty-six years old and my liver is failing. Without a transplant the prognosis is dire. Eventually, it will mean a premature death and, in the meantime, a severely diminished quality of life.

There is so much I still want to accomplish with the precious life that I have been given. I have loved my careers in public service, counseling and city planning but there are other things I’ve set my sights on for the next stage of my life.

For example, I am a lover of history, particularly American History. One of my hobbies has been to study Thomas Jefferson. A life-long dream of mine is to write a series of young-adult books about what it would be like for Thomas Jefferson to travel through time and find himself in the 21st century. What would he think about how his great democratic experiment turned out? How would he interact with the youth of today?

Now that I’m at retirement age I finally have the time and freedom to pursue goals like this. However, I find myself very, very sick. And due to my condition, I can’t hold a pen or type anymore.

 

KEEP READING ...

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How Does a Non-Drinker Get Liver Disease?

How is it that my liver is failing when I have never been a drinker? I have not even been drunk a day in my life. How could someone like me end up with liver disease?

It all started about forty years ago when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease--a serious autoimmune condition where the body attacks itself in the intestines. I was in grad school at the time. Up until then, I was super active and excited about all I wanted to accomplish once I graduated.  Then I had my first major intestinal crisis. I ended up in the hospital and had abdominal surgery to remove part of my colon. From that point on my health journey has been a roller coaster.

Because I’m a researcher by nature, I immediately devoured every bit of information I could find on Crohn’s, its possible causes, different diets to heal, drugs to help, and lifestyle changes that could ensure my recovery. I felt like I tried everything. At times I would see relief, and at times things got terribly worse. Several more surgeries were to come.

For several years I was on immunosuppressant drugs to help with Crohn’s symptoms, and enable me to live as normal a life as possible. (Crohn’s disease can be totally debilitating if untreated, and there were few treatment options when I was diagnosed.) Unfortunately, one of the drugs I was prescribed in those early years had severe side effects. I had no idea what was taking place internally. This drug was slowly destroying my liver. The effects didn’t show up for many years, but once they did, they showed up hard and fast.

Something Sinister Was at Work

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For the thirty years after I was diagnosed with Crohn’s I was able to live a fairly normal life given the unpredictably of my health. I went back to school at the University of Virginia and earned a second masters degree in Urban Planning. With that, I was eventually able to secure the job of my dreams—working as a city planner for the City of Falls Church, Virginia. But it wasn’t long before my health took a terrible turn.

As I mentioned, I had battled Crohn’s off and on since I was in my twenties. I had actually gotten myself off of all medications and was managing my Crohn’s through nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. But it soon became evident that something more serious and more sinister was wreaking havoc on my body.

I noticed that my ability to think, remember things, and solve problems were getting seriously impaired. My speech slowed and then slurred. I found it difficult to walk and keep my balance. It began to affect my work. And then something bizarre happened.

One day, several years ago, I had a horrible episode and started bleeding internally. It was so bad that I was found unconscious, on my bedroom floor. I had to be rushed to the hospital where the medical staff administered transfusions and saved my life.

This was a result of my liver failing. My blood couldn’t flow normally through my liver, so it backed up to other parts of my body (eventually causing a natural shunt to be formed where the portal vein enters the liver). My liver was declaring itself closed for business. When that happened, I knew I was in real trouble.

The possibility for more internal bleeding episodes still lurks on the horizon. Since my blood isn’t able to get the benefits of filtering and processing —jobs that the liver does—I have toxic blood running through my body and into my brain. So everything is out of whack.

Over the course of the last two years, my health has deteriorated so quickly that I had to take a medical leave of absence and eventually stopped working altogether. Even though I was getting close to retirement, I had to leave my job way earlier than I had planned. I was in my dream job for only five years. I haven’t been able to work since January.

Today I find myself unable to care for myself without assistance. The video below will paint a better picture of my current state. I know it's pretty raw and honestly, it's humbling to say the least. However, I think it may be important for you to see so that you can understand how I am currently having to live with my compromised liver.

Here is a snapshot into what my life has become:

My speech has been severely impaired. I speak very slowly and terribly slur my words. Sometimes I can’t get my mouth to say what my mind is thinking.

I cannot walk without a cane or walker.

I have to go up and down stairs by sitting and scooching, one step at a time, so that I don’t fall (I’ve had some terrible falls.). Here's a video to show you what this looks like for me.

I have trouble feeding myself and have to be fed sometimes.

Worst of all, my brain and my natural bodily functions are not in sync. This might be TMI (too much information), but I’m now incontinent and have to wear Depends. I can’t be far from a bathroom and oftentimes I don’t make it. This has been very humbling to say the least.

One of the hardest adjustments for me has been how this disease has limited my social life. Because I can’t risk being far from a bathroom I’m unable to accept dinner invitations, join in the celebrations of my friends, or take advantage of travel and entertainment opportunities. And, no more bicycle riding or hiking for me—things I’ve loved in the past. I’m, for the most part, housebound.

Good News, Bad News … Better News

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Because my symptoms were getting so bad I started seeing multiple doctors with various specialties. I’ve taken all kinds of tests and looked at my situation from every angle. For a while it was thought that there was a surgery that could help me, but my doctors decided against it.

Eventually, the consensus of my medical team was that I have irreversible liver failure. In mid-July, they sent me to the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center to be evaluated for a liver transplant. After a battery of tests and multiple interviews, they decided that I am a candidate for a liver transplant. It’s my only hope.

When they told me their decision, I was excited. It was the first good news I’d had in a long time. A new liver would enable me to get my life back.

But then I got the bad news.

There are over seventeen thousand people on the liver transplant list! And that number continues to climb.

While the number of people needing a liver transplant is increasing, the number of new donor livers available is decreasing. Worse, I discovered that you have to basically be on death’s door to receive a transplant, and possibly not be strong enough to recover. Those who are in the worst possible shape are at the top of the list.

When I heard that, I felt hopeless.

But … then, before I could despair, I got some great news. The doctors told me that they were recommending me for a LIVING-donor transplant—not a DECEASED-donor transplant. What? I had never heard of such a thing.

How a Living Donor Transplant Works

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There are two kinds of liver transplants. You can receive a liver from a deceased donor (what we commonly think of when we think of transplants) or from a living donor. Get this: The liver is the ONLY organ in the human body that can regenerate itself!

Someone can donate a portion of their liver to me (after mine is removed, of course) and both of us will grow our livers back to their full sizes in just six to eight weeks! We both end up with new livers! I am still in awe of this medical miracle.

According to my doctors, I’m not sick enough to receive a deceased-donor liver. (Boy, it sure doesn’t feel that way.) But now I see that this is actually a gift.

Despite my Crohn’s and because I have taken good care of myself, I am an excellent candidate for a living-donor liver. I don’t have to be put on the waiting list for a transplant. Once a donor is found, I can actually schedule a transplant before I’m on death’s door. My chances for a full recovery are excellent!

I’m incredibly grateful that this opportunity is available to me. What an amazing time in history to be alive. Thomas Jefferson would never have been able to conceive of such a miracle. I believe that many, wonderful, productive, healthy years are still ahead of me. Let's pray that this quickly becomes a reality!

Now let’s find a donor!

This is Where I Need Your Help

First, would you consider exploring the possibility of joining me on this incredible journey to regain my health by donating a portion of your liver to me? I completely get what a huge “ask” this is. If you find there is something within you that would like to explore further, then please do the following:

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Find out your blood type

My blood type is B+. The types that would be a match for me are:  B+ B- O+ O-.

  1. Red Cross: If you donate 1 pint of blood, they will tell you your type within 72 hours. If you have donated in the past they will have your type on record.

  2. Your Personal Doctor: most will be able to do it in his/her office and may already have it in their records.

  3. “Any Lab Test Now” or similar business. They have locations all over the US.    (They typically charge about $29 and it takes 1-2 days to get results).

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Learn More About Becoming a Donor

Go to this page. It answers two important questions: Is it safe to be a living liver donor? Who can be a donor?

If you want to learn more about the living donor process, click here.

If you want to see answers to common questions (FAQ's), click here.

We have also included some video testimonials of  donors and their doctors. Click the button below.

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Apply to Be a Donor

The first step is to fill out the initial questionnaire. If you are interested to see if you qualify and want to begin the process, click here or the button below.

This is just a questionnaire. You are NOT making a commitment at this point. The purpose of the questionnaire is to see if you would qualify.

*You will need loren's birthday for the application: september 3, 1952.

KEEP READING ...

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There is NO risk in beginning the process.

It’s very important for you to know that:

1. Any information you share with Penn Medicine will be completely confidential. I will not be told who has filled out the questionnaire. I will not be told anything until a donor has been cleared and selected.

2. You are free to back out of this process at any time with no consequences.

If you have any further questions, please email my sister, Gail Hyatt by filling the form out below (it goes directly to her inbox) and she will do her best to answer your questions or direct you to someone who can. Your contacts with her will remain completely confidential. 

If you aren't in the position to be a donor, I would greatly appreciate your prayers for my healing. 

Again, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for considering donating a portion of your liver to me. Words can never convey the humility I feel in asking. May God richly bless everyone in this process.

With great love and appreciation,
Loren

Have Additional Questions?

Ask Loren's sister, Gail. Fill out the form below and she will do her best to answer your questions or direct your to someone who can.

Latest Updates on Loren’s Health

April 2019

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Dear Friend,

In case you don’t know me, my name is Gail Hyatt. I’m Loren Bruce’s sister. Over the last year I have found myself functioning as Loren’s spokesperson. The purpose of this letter is to bring you up to date on his current situation and let you know we need your help.

It’s been over eight months now since the doctors told Loren he needed a living liver donor transplant. A lot has happened since then.

My last update was in October, and I’m well overdue for another one. Many people have written asking me how he’s doing. Thank you for your patience. I’ve been waiting for something concrete to share.

First, let me highlight some KEY DATES. If you are new to Loren’s story, you may find this particularly helpful and hopefully will put the current situation in context.

In JUNE Loren learned his doctors recommended a living donor liver transplant for his condition.

In JULY we put up this website liverforloren.com (aka: lorenbruce.com). Here, we explained Loren’s health crisis, how he got there, his need for a donor, and steps people can follow to explore the possibility of becoming a donor. If this is the first time you’re visiting this website, please take a moment and check it out this page before reading further. You will find it tremendously informative.

By SEPTEMBER the hospital told us he had several people apply. Many were disqualified for one reason or another; however, by OCTOBER the hospital told us there was one person who was chosen as the “designated donor.” Per the hospital’s guidelines, only that person would continue in the process until the doctors confirmed him/her to be the donor. (The hospital put everyone else on hold.) We were thrilled!

Soon, this person contacted us, and we discovered she was the wife of one of Loren’s close friends from many years ago. We were overtaken by gratitude for her willingness and enthusiasm to offer herself in this way. We now could follow along in her journey.

At this point, all her appointments had to be held in Philadelphia. The tests which could be done locally were completed, so she and her husband would now travel to Penn Medicine for more tests. With each step she passed with flying colors. One of the doctors who saw her even said, “You were made to be a donor.” I assume this was because of her desire to help along with her good health.

In FEBRUARY she took her last series of tests. (Her testing took a bit longer than usual because of the holidays, etc. It seemed like an eternity to us.) We had no doubt the results of these would follow suit with all the rest, and she would be officially approved to donate. One of these final procedures was a liver biopsy.

However, at the beginning of MARCH, we received the shocking news she had been disqualified.

Something in the biopsy gave the doctors pause. You can imagine how devastating it was to hear this—for both sides! We asked lots of questions and hoped there was some kind of mistake, but sadly we became convinced this was the right decision.

Once this news settled into our hearts and minds, we sought to find out if there were others in the “queue.” Was there anyone who could now pick up the baton and finish the race? The Living Donor Coordinator at Penn Medicine told us, no.

There was no one who was still in the process.

That brings us to NOW.

We need your help. Would you please:

1)    Join us in prayer that ...

a)    The Lord will sustain Loren in the future months. The hepatic encephalopathy has created daily challenges for Loren. But, even with those challenges he continues to be grateful, optimistic, and an inspiration to all of us.

(If you’d like to know more about hepatic encephalopathy, please visit this link.)

b)    The Lord will provide the perfect donor who can go through the process quickly.

c)    The Lord will enable us to schedule the surgery as soon as possible. The hospital only does about two or three of these surgeries a month and with many in line, the sooner we can get Loren scheduled the better.

d)    The Lord will be glorified through the entire process.

2)    Consider applying to be a donor and sharing this information.

a)    Please re-read the the homepage of this website and refresh your memory of the need and the process for applying. Go to the end of the site for a list of the steps to follow.

b)    Remember, you are free to discontinue the process at any time, for any reason.

c)    Remember, there are people/resources who can answer all your questions.

d)    If you were on the fence before, please consider exploring the possibility now.

e)    If you decide you would like to be a donor, but have obstacles in your daily life that might prevent you, know that we will brainstorm with you for solutions and help you in any way we can. As someone once said, “Everything is figureoutable.”

f)      PLEASE pass this letter on to anyone you think could be a potential donor. Please share this on your social media channels. Help us get Loren’s story out to the public. (The guidelines for a donor are on the website.)

IMPORTANT

One important point I want to tell you is this: We are so encouraged about the staff at Penn Medicine. After finishing Loren’s myriad of tests, and after going through the designated donor’s journey with her, we have absolute confidence in the competency and proficiency of this transplant team.

We Bruces are researchers by nature and as we have investigated more—asking so many questions regarding all of the decisions surrounding this surgery—we are fully convinced we have the best team in the country. Their reputation is outstanding.

They’re extremely thorough and professional, and are driven by much care and concern. They’re not willing to put anyone at unnecessary risk—even if it means saying no at the last minute and prolonging the surgery.

As difficult as that is, it truly puts my heart at ease knowing safety for both the recipient and the donor is their #1 priority.

So, there you have it. This is where things stand as of April 2019.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about any of the things mentioned in this letter. If you share this information with someone new, please give them my contact information (below) and let them know I’m here to answer any question. If I don’t know an answer, I will find someone who does.

Thank you for your love and concern for Loren. Thank you for your prayers. It means more to him than you can know.

With much love and gratitude,

Gail Hyatt

gailhyatt@gmail.com