Post Liver Transplant Protein and Healing
Happy Earth Day to all of my Best Friends! I am filled with joy at the thought of sharing this lush planet with you all! It seems appropriate to give thanks for all the goodness that earth offers us in the form of food sources. They help us recover from any wounds that our body is experiencing. It is my 9th day post liver transplant and I’m so excited to share what healing foods can help us recover from surgery. Everything about my body, and my life, feels different. You have got to know that a Liver Loving Diet will always be my aim.
Spring is a time of transformation. The dormant trees awaken from their winter’s nap. The dead and lifeless seeds were scattered last year. Now they are stirred deep within the ground. They stretch toward their entrance on our planet’s stage. Flowers, vegetables, and herbs come up from planted seeds and begin to prepare nutritional goodness to help us remain strong. Some come up “volunteer”, as my grandma used to say. She used the word to teach me how strawberries put on new runners every year. They were eager to volunteer to help us have sweet goodness by the 4th of July.
I’m still taking pain meds although I try and space them further apart. They can leave me feeling sluggish mentally and also with my bowels. My day starts and ends with bunches of immunosupressants, steroids, antibiotics, and everything it takes to keep my body in a stable condition. Talk about major drugs and lots of them!
There are 2 major areas of focus after transplant. Protein and vitamins.
I went back and read my own blog about Protein to remind me of the multiple benefits of healthy protein.
During surgery of any kind, the incision is made and there is a whole lot of movement going on. Several muscles are cut. Even the diaphragm is split for a liver transplant. They move this organ over and poke and prod on that one. One organ is surgically removed, another is scooted around. The liver I received was a perfect fit. It slid in nicely, with little room left over. They inserted the drainage tubes and closed me up. Now it is up to me to eat well and rest to help my body make new connections to repair and heal.
This takes protein. I’m right where I have always been in the familiar liver loving diet. Eggs, fish, chicken, nuts, grains, and yogurt have been my mainstay. I brought my protein bars with me to the hospital and went straight to them 48 hours after surgery.
The protein is frontline in rebuilding connective tissue. Wounds and incisions are all closed up with sutures. As the tissue repairs, it will take a LOT of protein. My transplant coordinator Clay said to eat as much as I can tolerate. I’m doing it! I asked how many grams per day and he said just eat healthy protein. I’m at about 75 – grams per day all from healthy sources.
This means a couple of things. First off, my wounds will not be a muscle thief and steal from the rest of my body. Muscle wasting is caused when you are not getting enough protein. Second, it helps the heart muscle to remain strong. It is working overtime to remain stable and keep up with all of the new drugs. I’ve gotten a little heart racy with steriods. Deep breathing and even pain meds help with that. But I also eat heart healthy foods that include protein shakes! Third, by getting protein, my albumin levels are stable, my body is not making ascites and my drainage stopped very quickly. I got a drain removed less than 24 hours post op and the other one the next day. My drainage stayed clear and is now dried up!
Another thing I’m doing is chewing some vitamin C. Lots of fresh and frozen fruits and veggies are also giving me some antioxidant and collagen repair. We always start with food and then supplement only as our doctor allows.
It gives me a sense of control to know that I am doing something to help myself heal. I AM the pesky patient who asks lots of questions. One Major thing I am learning is to rest. Lots of sleep. Chat when I can, sleep when I need to. Finding my balance… Pain and meds, lying down and sitting up. Always being reminded by my sweet healing sisters to allow time for recovery.
I’ve got several blogs started. I wake up and blab a bunch of stuff and then doze off. Haha! THe one I will finish next is about my healing place with Linda and Julie. We have put together the ultimate girl power and goddess retreat that is enriching all of our lives. Spirit, Mind, and Body.
This is going up as is. My goodness I’ve cried me a river of joy. I’ve prayed for you like never before. I’m sending my best healing message of love to my Besties. We are strong. We can do anything with love and support. No fear my dears. I’ve been to hell and back and didn’t even get burned. That eternal part of my inward self is more victorious than ever.
Nap Time,
xoxo Karen:)
Gosh it felt good to type that. Oh my did I say how much I love you?
Post Liver Transplant Protein and Healing
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23 thoughts on “Post Liver Transplant Protein and Healing”
Karen, I have been praying for you and God has answered! You are such an encouragement! I am stage 4 cirrhosis with HE. Yesterday was terrible but today is better. I am so happy that you received the wonderful gift of a liver! I look forward to reading your blog. You have helped me so much in this fight…..thank you. I pray your body continues to heal. God bless you.
Tonya I hope you are feeling better today. I hope that you have a wonderful day . Dee
Dee Ernst recently posted…Post Liver Transplant Protein and Healing
So glad to see you posting again so soon. The steroids were almost the end of me, I am super sensitive to them…but that too will pass. Every day you will get stronger and feel better..so much so that you will feel like you are 29 again! However I do want to caution that with pain meds and steroids, I over did it, and ended up with a hernia. So please be careful. Sounds like you are doing everything according to the book…I remember about the protein…pretransplant you had to watch the protein..post transplant you need to eat a lot…I had trouble keeping my albumin levels up because I was a total vegetarian, so I had to go back to eating like steak and eggs for breakfast…but mostly chicken and eggs. I will caution you that watch the pomegranate and those juices that have it in them. Also stay away from farm raised fish or fish from the Atlantic ocean. I eat only Salmon from Alaska, or Alaskan Cod. This week we have a huge outbreak of botulism at a church potluck where homemade canned veggies caused. 1 person has died (54 year old woman) and 21 people are sick and several are in critical condition. So for a long time, eat at home, and stay away from buffets and going out to eat until at least 6 months. Love ya girlfriend…and Love an light for continued healing!
Dear Emma, thank you so much for writing and for sharing with Karen. All good advice right after a transplant. I am sure there is so much to remember. Take Care, Dee
Dee Ernst recently posted…Post Liver Transplant Protein and Healing
Welcome back, Karen. I know you’ll be here for a very long time. It is obvious that you have much to give to the liver disease community which has grown into the millions in recent years.
What a wonderful account of your liver transplant experience and recovery that was! I want to say again that you are a great writer. You bring everything you have done and seen to life in your words. I have cirrhosis and my doctor says it may be stage 2 by his reckoning. Some day I may need a transplant and, if I do, your writing will be my guide.
Thanks, Karen, for just being here.
Jim
James thank you so much for writing to Karen. I know she appreciates hearing from everyone. I am glad to hear you are only a stage 2. You could remain there for the rest of your life. I agree with you, Karen writes so beautifully. You can tell that she cares about everyone and really wants to help each person. She prays over everyone. Take Care of yourself, Dee
Dee Ernst recently posted…Post Liver Transplant Protein and Healing
Karen, it is so good to see you healing so well and so fast. I am following right behind you. I am on the transplant list, but have been deactivated until I get my glucose under control and treatment for the tumor. The treatment will be soon. I am having markers put in for SBRT next week. I need to start using your liver loving diet.
You are such an inspiration to so many. Thank you for always being there even as you are going through this. You rock, girl!!!
Hi Kathleen, thanks so much for sharing. I know that Karen appreciates hearing from everyone. Controlling sugar is hard. Everything we eat turns in to sugar. When I was diagnosed with diabetes I was told to stop just about every thing I was eating at the time juice, pizza, doughnuts, pasta, cereal, etc. It was very hard to figure out what I could and could not eat. I would try to read the labels on everything I ate, if a pack of crackers contains 45 grams of carbs, gosh I could have had a large salad or a meal with 45 carbs. It is a choice or balancing act, not easy at first, I know. Did they put you on Metformin? or have they asked you to try changing your diet first. Take Care, Dee
Dee Ernst recently posted…Post Liver Transplant Protein and Healing
Welcome back, Karen! Love the reminder of how much protein is needed to repair and keep muscles from deteriorating. Your battle scar will get lighter in time and wear it proudly as a reminder of how much you are alive and your spirit is strong and appreciative. Not only are you grateful living stronger than many out here. Thank you for giving us hope! Thank you for all you share. Healing hugs, Kat
Hi Kat! Dee here, I love what Karen shared with all of us, it was really nice of her. Especially so soon after surgery. She is such a giving person. How are you feeling today my friend? I hope you have a great day. I am doing well this am and hope you are too. HUGS Dee
Karen..I am so moved by your strength and courage. I’m so happy to see you healing with such wonderful sisters around you. Taking care of eachother. Just awesome. Your incision looks wonderful! You have taken such good care of yourself eating healthy and exercising before surgery I’m sure that has helped. Your attitude and mental state, faith has also been a great source of strength. Thank you hit sharing, the photos and your experience are so enlightening. Now continue to heal and grow stronger day by day. Love and Light..Deborrah
Hey there! Dee here, I agree with you. I appreciate Karen sharing so much of herself. I always wondered how they did the surgery, where they cut etc. I thought it might be like the heart, I remember my grandfather had heart surgery. I am happy to see Karen posting. It is wonderful to see her so soon after surgery. She is a miracle to me. Thank you for writing, I know Karen appreciates and will be reading all comments. Dee
Karen, thank you so much for sharing so openly and honestly. I’m grateful you shared your sutures. I’d been wondering how they did the work needed for a transplant. For those of us who might be facing a transplant, the info you’ve shared is vital to help in making that choice. I know you must have some idea of how many you have helped, many who haven’t posted, but have read every word. You are in my prayers for continued healing, peace, and joy. Thanks for being there.
Hey there! Dee here, I agree with you. I think Karen has gone a long way in helping people understand what happens during a transplant. I appreciate her showing her sutures as well. I am looking forward to hearing more of her transplant surgery. Thank you so much for writing. We have found that for every person that posts there are hundreds reading so thank you for posting, it is really nice to hear from you. Bless you, Dee
Karen, It’s so wonderful to hear from you and know that you are in your way to recovery. It’s also great to hear the excellent diet advice which I will save for future use. God bless you and heal you is my prayer!
Thank you for your positive and uplifting blog. I love it! You always offer such good messages. I reread all your blogs and watched your True Champions again recently. They reminded me if I do not stand up for myself, no one else is going to care or even think about me at the GI center. Mindy encouraged me to speak up. Your voice was saying eat right, yes, but speak up…so I did. The world is looking brighter today. Cancer is looking like a word my doctor used just to scare me into his world and make the same decisions he made. Most likely, there is no cancer at this time, and it will be rechecked in June sometime. A transplant does not look like it is in my future. I am fighting for Harvoni. Meanwhile, I am eating right, using my walker, as I cannot walk alone, so with the walker I am free to go by myself, have my tramp to bounce on each day and after this month I will add the new yoga DVD and mat that I have to my daily healing. Positive thoughts abound. YOU ARE Ms. POSITIVE! I love you for it. So happy you are healing well and the transplant is agree with you. You are looking terrific. Nice to have you back. Your woman’s retreat sounds heavenly. Love, Sheila
Hello Sheila, wow you have really made progress. I think that the trampoline is very good for the body. I am going to get one as well. I think it is a wonderful idea. I am happy you have found Karen, she gives me a lot of hope as well. I have never met anyone with a more positive spirit and attitude. She inspires me to be a better person than I ever thought I could be.
I hope you will stick around and share your progress with us. This is one of the best places I have found to make friends share and encourage each other. Bless you. Dee
Sheila,
My husband was going through the same thing. My first advise is to find a “GOOD” doctor who cares. We were lucky to find one. It’s long story…. Secondly, the insurance company rejected Harvoni. He was prescribed Viekera-pak and Ribo. We were terrified of side effects. Week 1 he had anxiety. Week 2 he had rash all over his body and leg cramps partially due to the interaction of new meds with other ones. They went away with medication and his viral count was not detectable. He has remained undetected. He has gained a ton of energy….You might want to investigated V-pak.
Wish you good luck. Sending you a huge cyber hug ((()))
Amazing you as always Grace Warrior sharing your story, courage and grace. Cc Much love and healing.
Thank you so much for commenting, I love that “Grace Warrior” I know Karen does as well. She is doing well and really appreciates everyone’s comments. Take Care, Dee
Hi Karen,
I am happy fo you that you are recovering well and God has answered in His time your prayers and you are on the right track to get better from now on.
I have just my first TACE, and I trust Lord Jesus will make this HCC be destroyed and never take root again. I am also suffering from mild scirrhosys and Hep B, however my liver functions look very good and liver is working normally according to my Specialist. I am on Viread-300 mg/day and that helps to stabilize the situation.
I am at the begining of a long fight but nothing is impossible to those who believe that God is is control of our lives and His plans ar different than ours. May God give you speedy and full recovery. Thank you for all your posts and to be such an encouragement to so many battling this illness.
Love you too Karen,
I’m so glad everything went as planned.
I wish they could bottle your attitude.
Then again, if your blog is anything to go by,
It’s its infectious in the best possible way, like laughter.
Your current recovery plan sounds great.
Best wishes for your recovery.
You’re inspirational,
Love, Guido
Hi Karen! I’m so happy for your new liver! Glad to hear you are healing and feeling better! My thoughts and prayers go out to you as you continue the healing process. Take care.
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