Adams Back to Liver Transplant List

April 17,'18: While inpatient, I had to take advantage of a photo-op with a cut-out photo of Dr. Reyes, hero Liver transplant surgeon who has taken on my case for future surgery. He has direct training by Dr. Thomas Starzl, tcreator of liver transplants. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! PLEASE READ ON:
It has now been determined that my liver condition is, in fact, irreversible without re-transplanting the liver as a whole. Yet, even MORE medical procedures and dental surgeries are going to be needed prior to going onto the list as a common preventative practice against life-threatening infections during post-operation.

* April '17: Trying to look attractive in 50 Shades of Jaundice while in clinic. =

Many of you already know my previous history. If this is you, please feel free to scroll down to "CURRENT STATUS" unless you're ok with re-reading about my pain, struggles, and misery in life. Ok, I probably would too, if it were someone else. Either way, my history as written one year ago, unedited, and in third-person format (although, rewritten by a friend) is:

PREVIOUS HISTORY:
As a survivor of cirrhosis of the liver, Adam was given another lease on life in the form of a liver transplant at age 26 in December of 1997. This gift of life has carried him in good health for the most part of 19 years now.

However, in the last 14 months, Adam has suffered several mysterious symptoms, such as severe jaundice, severe eczema, lethargy, intestinal poisoning of unknown cause, and insomnia. Some of the top hepatic physicians in the Pacific Northwest have described Adam's worsening symptoms as a "phenomenon of medicine" and are still trying to determine what is causing his condition.

* January '17: Hospitalized for severe jaundice.


CURRENT STATUS:
In the last 12 months, Adam has kept close-contact with physicians who have worked with top excellence in diagnosing his complications, keeping him informed of any changes in test results, and trying new strategies in attempt to save his now 20 year old transplanted liver. His coloring has mostly returned to normal but the medical staff have thoroughly explained the importance of improving his "numbers" (blood-test results) within six to eight months or his liver will certainly shut down and fail, altogether. The "phenomenon of medicine" status was dropped when his transplant surgeon found a stricture in his bile duct (passage between liver and pancreas) to be the culprit of his condition.

* (Above) the bile duct, which seemingly appears to be severed completely in its current condition is still slightly functional at a minuscule amount, merely hanging by a thread. In the last year, Adam has had four (ERCP) stent procedures to open up said duct. A fifth one has been scheduled for late March '18.
* (Below) are images with stents intact. 

NOW, ONE YEAR LATER:
Fortunately, this organ has not failed as of yet, but his condition hasn't  exactly improved, either. On several accounts, the stricture in his bile duct has:
- enlarged his spleen
- increased hypertension between his heart and liver
- worsened his insomnia causing sleep paralysis
- increased his eczema, at times causing MRSA / bacterial infections
- increased diarrhea to the point of dehydration, hospitalization , and chronic gas for everyone around him to enjoy.

Still, Adam's doctors are asking him to increase his muscle mass and bone density, and avoid exposure to toxins. A high protein diet, weight lifting and fitness training, calcium supplementation, avoidance of toxins, and stress reduction are critical to Adam's recovery from transplant surgery. He has been exercising as much as possible (walking and bicycling), but he still needs fitness training and access to weight lifting equipment in order to put on the muscle mass and bone density his doctors require. He has been eating yogurt by the case (literally) and taking calcium supplements.

* Biking has become another passion of Adam's, thanks to previous donors.

Adam's discomfort in asking for monetary help has impeded him in starting this campaign for several months. Thus, his debts with rent, electric bill, and payments for replacing his commuter car have DRASTICALLY fallen behind!

FUNDING WILL GO TOWARDS expenses not covered by insurance, such as:
- Medications and supplements which are ordered by doctors but can be bought over-the-counter, and are therefore not covered.
-High protein foods and supplements. 
-Repair of broken molars as a side effect of liver transplant medication (prednisone). 
- Medical supplies that will help him track his symptoms and success (thermometer, scale, etc)
- Transportation to and from the hospital and parking while there, both for Adam and for caregivers who frequently accompany him to appointments. 
- Dietary plan involving massive amounts of protein and double the amount of calories.  
- Repair of exhaust and window on Adam's car. (Working as a part-time art teacher for children in grade school, Adam must rely on his car which is currently in need of emissions repair and has a broken window. Inhaling exhaust may be a contributing factor to his recent poor health, since the liver processes toxins.)
-Membership in a gym where Adam can get the weight training and fitness instruction he needs in order to gain muscle.
-A lock and helmet for his bike.
-Surcharges for his many prescriptions.
-Help with rent and debt due to loss of income while in the hospital. 

On the PLUS SIDE:
- This aspect of Adam's life has fueled his passion in film-making, working currently on two movie projects as an art director, also acting a small part on a short film where ironically, his part is to retch, vomit, keel-over and die!
- This whole dilema has inspired Adam to write an autobiography about his experience in going through the original transplant process, as well as what he is faced with today.
- Adam will gladly send you a token of his gratitude (perk) in a small form of his artwork.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
- Please share the link to this campaign on your choice of social media.
- Prayers, happy thoughts, healing vibes, etc. for Adam's health to recover without the need of another transplant.
- Please consider becoming an organ or tissue donor. For more info, please visit: http://www.lcnw.org/ 

***THANK YOU FOR READING ~~~
               ~~~PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN! ***

*Adam would also like to thank:
- Donors of my previous campaign AS WELL AS all new donors contributing to this one! =)
- Bethany Rice for her writing & editing skill.
- Javier Caceres for his awesome work (unfortunately, unused).