When I left Virginia to drive up to UPenn on July 13th, 2019 … I was in pretty bad shape. I could barely stand, walk, talk, dress myself or tie my shoes. I had great difficulty preparing my meals, much less eating without help. My cognition and ability to think was pretty much shot. I had great difficulty typing on the keyboard or holding my cell phone without shaking. Thank the Lord for voice activation and transcription on my iPhone.

I had bright colored signs on my door in hospital and around my wrist that said I was a “Fall Risk.” “Keep an eye on this guy. Don’t let him out of your sight.” When I was able to get out of bed for the first time and take my first step toward a new life, it was just like a baby learning to crawl before learning to walk.

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On Monday, I sent out a post updating everybody about how I am doing to date. This 5th post begins to answer the 2nd of 7 questions that make up the story. I am going to attempt to describe what it was like to undergo this incredible medical procedure. What did I experience before, during, and after the transplant? It was pretty wild, to say the least. The best way I can describe it is to recommend you watch a recent PBS NOVA episode titled “TRANSPLANTING HOPE.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGphY_H05cI

I promise, you won’t be disappointed. The link is also at the end of this post.

2. So, what was it like? What did you experience?

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Over a week ago, I sent out 2 posts updating everybody about what’s been happening since the liver transplant giving a snapshot history of the timeline of key events. This 4th post begins to answer the 1st of 7 key questions that are in the outline of the story. Now I want to transition to the present day.

1. How am I doing now?

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As we outlined before, my condition was getting very serious and by late spring and early summer. We seemed to be approaching the make-or-break point. Then suddenly on July 13, I was awakened at 3:00 am, Saturday morning with a call from UPenn asking how fast I could get to Philadelphia. I was told there was a liver on its way to the hospital and it may be match. I needed to be prepped for possible surgery. Time was of the essence. A 70-year old male had died of a heart attack…

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Brief review of the Timeline – Highlights
1997 – I had major abdominal surgery. I was put on medicine (an immunosuppressant) that accidentally harmed my liver. … It made my mental capacity, ability to stand and walk, along with my overall stability very difficult.

In short, over the course of the next 12 years, toxins were not being filtered by the liver and were getting to the brain instead. Not Good! You don’t want that.

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