How I got here…

In 1994 I was diagnosed with a rare liver disease called PSC. On June 1st, 2005 I received a living donor, liver transplant from my cousin Pete. During a 7 hour procedure my liver was completely removed and roughly 60% of Pete’s liver was transplanted. Within a few weeks both portions of Pete’s divided liver grew back to nearly 100%

After 10 days in the hospital I was released. Two days later I was back in and had severe internal bleeding. My hepatic artery clotted and I was operated on 3 additional times, but there was nothing that could be done. Since that time my portal vein has started to clot and while measures are being taken to prolong a total clot, a second transplant is inevitable.

To complicate things some more, on June 23rd, 2009 I was diagnosed with B-Cell Lymphoma. Two days later a tumor the size of a softball was removed from my small intestine. This cancerous tumor is also referred to as Post Transplant Lymphoma. Because I take Immunosuppression medication to prevent liver rejection, my risk for Lymphoma is increased. After only one treatment of Chemo, I developed pneumonia and was put in a coma to help my body recover. A PET scan in December of 2009 showed that the Lymphoma was completely gone.

In March of 2010 it was confirmed that the Lymphoma had returned. Another tumor roughly larger than the first time had developed around my intestines. This time I was able to get two rounds of chemo and have now been cancer free for about two years.