Chopped Liver - A Community for Live Organ Donors and Recipients

The Return of Chopped Liver (Or... What a Difference a Year Makes!)

2010-10-26T19:17:00.003-05:00

Where to begin?

For new readers, how about here: Hi, I'm Becky, and when it comes to living donor issues and the potential and compassion living donation represents, and to my brother Joe, I am about as passionate as it gets. You've stumbled on the blog I created in November 2005 as I prepared for the journey of giving a portion of my liver to Joe in 2006. I kept it going throughout that experience, and hope that if my story interests you, you'll poke around for a while. My favorite entries are listed in a section of links at right; you might begin there. Or at the very beginning - I hear it's a very good place to start.

For my faithful readers, I have a lot to catch you up on, most notably:

* Joe, sadly, is back on the transplant list in Memphis, TN. Our liver is failing and he's suffering, but we are ever hopeful that we'll find a liver that will give him another five years, and hopefully many more. Nonetheless, I'm running through the full range of emotions, landing all too often at anger and grief. And Joe? He never ceases to amaze me. His tenacity, courage, and heart through all of this are constant reminders of what "grace" looks like in human form. I will be blogging here about this new chapter in our journey, starting today. Keep him in your thoughts!

* The Greatest Gift Foundation is no more. It was wonderful, we made a difference, we really tried. For those of you who were supporters, please know that while we were up and running, we impacted the lives of hundreds of potential donors and transplant recipients. But in the end, we lacked the resources to give our constituents the service they deserved, or to be able to continue making sufficient progress on the issues to justify asking for our donors' dollars.

* The blog from GGF is still live, and still has so much great information -- relevant, informational, inspirational. I'll keep it running in an effort to keep the GGF's mission alive.

Thanks for stopping by, and watch for much more now that we're back in transplant land.

Meet my new blog!

2008-06-11T17:33:00.008-05:00

Update October 2010. Sadly, we have ceased operations of the Greatest Gift Foundation that is described below, in 2010. It is a great idea that maybe was ahead of its time, and required more funding and work than we could manage with our resources. However, the blog mentioned below does exist and is full of relevant and informative posts; I hope you'll check it out! - Becky, 10/26/2010

Chopped Liver fans, I am thrilled to re-direct you to my new blog, the official "day to day on living organ donation" blog of the Greatest Gift Foundation. For lack of a better name, I'm just calling it "the Greatest Gift blog" (yeah, I'm wildly creative like that). The address is http://greatestgift.wordpress.com/. My thanks to Mindy for her help and inspiration on getting it going. Mindy is terrific.

I will still blog here at Chopped Liver on more personal stuff, and not just transplant related anymore. Dating? Movies? Odd people? All fair game. (Not that I could possibly ever compete with this, this, or this.)

But for the latest on living organ donors, living organ donation, living donors, living organ donors, organ transplantation, living donors in the news, organ donation resources, organ transplant resources, and more, find me over at greatestgift.wordpress.com. (Take that, keyword search engine optimizers!)

Our first ever award!

2008-04-14T14:32:00.002-05:00

Well, the people behind "blogged.com" are obviously enlightened, informed, and marvelous souls, because they have hand-picked Chopped Liver for their list of "great" blogs in their "Health/Condition & Diseases" category, ranking it 25th!

Our score of 8.8 out of 10.0 was based on frequency of updates, relevancy of content, site design, and writing style. I take credit for only three of those (I'm just using a blogger template, for crying out loud) but I'll gladly accept the full reward and all the benefits with which it is bestowed. Which, basically, is just a link to my blog from their site, plus bragging rights forever. But hey, beggers and choosers and all that.

Wining and dining for a great cause

2008-03-10T17:23:00.003-05:00

This Sunday I have the tough, tough task of wining and dining with the American Liver Foundation Minnesota chapter and 200 supporters at the annual Flavors Culinary Gala, an amazing experience where 20 of the Twin Cities' best chefs each host a table for 10 and cook a five-course, wine-paired gourmet meal, table side. Sigh. Someone's got to do it, right?

If you'd like to be one of those someones, you can! Tickets are still on sale, and you don't have to live in Minnesota -- the ALF has these Flavors culinary galas in nearly every state. Find your state's gala and other event information at this link.

I go for three reasons. First, I've sort of joined the board of the ALF Minnesota chapter. (Yeah, oops. I was bored again.) Second, I love the networking -- 200 people in tuxedos and gowns, holding checkbooks and Amex Platinum cards, each with some reason to care about liver health and organ issues. Where better to drop the words "Greatest Gift Foundation" a few times? And third, well, it's a great cause, planned by great people. Its yummilicious. And best of all, it gives me a chance to wear my expensive Jingle Jangle dress a second time. Amortization, hooray!

Attendees also walk away with a CD full of the chef's recipes. I'll post my favorite on the blog next week.

A new living donor joins our community

2008-03-07T12:49:00.002-06:00

A special hello and hurrah to Tara, who is on her way to donating her liver to her step-father, who needs the transplant due to hepatitis and cirrhosis. Like so many of us who discovered we needed a creative outlet to express ourselves during this difficult and exciting time, she has started a blog, called "Liver n Onions," and I've posted a perma-link to it in the right-hand column. Stop by and wish her well!

The agony of the wait

2008-03-05T22:00:00.002-06:00

My heart goes out to a young couple of siblings named Matt and Megan, who are traveling together on the journey Joe and I went through of brother-sister liver unity. Their mom Cindy has been writing to me as their story unfolds, and her latest update introduced a circumstance I hadn't heard of from other readers yet, one more "complication" among many that can add to the agonizing waiting period donors and recipients often go through. Get this:

Megan, who's in her mid 20s now, was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in her late teens -- the result of blood transfusions she had as a very young child over a decade earlier. Since then she has suffered from cirrhosis, Crohn's disease, and diabetes. In October, when Cindy first wrote to me, Megan had level-4 liver disease, with AFP levels through the roof; her physicians were certain it was liver cancer. Enter Matt, her brother, who was cleared to be her donor in February. Great news! But on the same day he was approved, Megan's AFP levels mysteriously dropped severely, and her perplexed docs decided not to schedule surgery, at least for now. What kind of news is that?!? For Cindy, Matt, and Megan, it's difficult news -- and I can understand why. On one hand it's a possible miracle that Megan's body is healing itself. On the other hand, it's just another speed bump that causes a longer wait for the transplant she'll ultimate need. She is still incredibly sick, and Matt is ready for the surgery, but everything is stuck in a holding pattern. Any of us who have had to wait a single day for surgery once we know it's going to happen can attest to how difficult this must be for all of them.

There are no easy answers for why life throws us these curves. All we can do is stay strong and hope things are unfolding the way they do for some sort of reason. But as Cindy wrote to me, "It is so encouraging that living donation is giving us hope." If you have stories of your own wait or can relate, I'd welcome your comments. And if anyone out there has ever heard of AFP levels suddenly plummeting after several weeks of elevation, please let me know!

Say "Liver!"

2008-02-27T23:26:00.005-06:00

This photo of Joe and me is hands-down one of my favorite pictures ever -- it was taken at the Jingle Jangle fundraiser for the Greatest Gift Foundation on December 8, 2007. As you can see, we're happy!

But I would love to have a formal portrait of us taken someday, and therefore if I lived in the New York tri-state area, I would have immediately signed us up with Katja Heinemann, a Brooklyn-based photo journalist who is working on a series of portraits of donors and their recipients. If you are in the area and know of someone who might want to be a part of this terrific project, please reach out to Katja directly, at her email or via her Web site. Here's her message:

I am a Brooklyn-based photojournalist who specializes in public health issues, working regularly with a number of national and international magazines, such as People Magazine, Time, US News & World Report, Stern, Der Spiegel, as well as a host of women's magazines. Topics
I have covered in the past include pediatric and geriatric HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, down syndrome, ADHD and other behavioral disorders, autism, recovering anorexics and polytrauma in an Iraq war veteran, to name a few.

I am currently researching the production of a studio portrait
series that would show pairs of New York City tri-state area organ donors and their recipients. The pairings would illustrate the various
relationships that living donors have to their recipients, from family ties over married couples to strangers who found each other ... I am envisioning a series of posed portraits that are paired in diptychs, so I would want to photograph each person individually. Photographing donor and recipient separately would also make scheduling the portrait sessions easier - a pair could choose to come to a photo shoot together, or separately, if they prefer. I would work with each subject on figuring out how they want to pose, making this a collaborative
process. The variation from pair to pair would completely depend on the individuals: maybe a donor is proud to show off their scar, while a recipient would want to show only their face in the picture, or vice versa...... The project would show at least some of the donors' or recipients' scars, as this is after all about the human body.

In terms of logistics, I am planning to set aside a few studio days in a Manhattan location once I have sufficient number of potential participants lined up. I am hoping to produce this work within the next couple of months, and am flexible when it comes to scheduling appointments for the portrait sessions, which could happen in the evenings or on weekends. In some cases where people might have difficulties coming to the studio, I could potentially set up a backdrop at their house. The participants' surgeries do not necessarily have to have happened recently. In fact, I think it would add an interesting dimension to include the time aspect of how long some recipients have lived with the donated organ as part of the biographical information that will accompany the photographs.

For logistical reasons, l am looking for volunteers who will be able to be photographed in the NYC tri-state area, and as part of a pair of organ donor & recipient. As an exception, if someone wanted to participate even though their organ recipient or living donor may have passed away since the donation, I might be able to integrate those cases into the project as well.

I am planning on producing this series independently, and will distribute the final essay (which would combine the images with quotes
and brief stories and background information of the people involved) to
magazines or newspapers via my agency, Aurora Select. My motivation behind this series is the recurring theme of organ shortages that has cropped up in recent news articles. Creating compelling portraits would, I believe, call extra attention to this pressing issue. Participants would, of course, receive copies of their portraits.

I've got butterflies...

2008-02-24T12:23:00.003-06:00

Hi loyal readers -- I'm back after a long hiatus. And as we work to finalize the Greatest Gift Foundation Web site, I'll be ramping back up on this blog and trying to post three times a week. Once we launch, the blog will move there as a permanent feature of the site. Which gives me butterflies, both figuratively and literally! We hired an outstanding design and brand identity firm, Spyglass, to design our logo and brand, and after viewing hundreds of design sketches and ideas, we landed on one that surprised me but delighted me and everyone in the room and completely fits with our nonprofit's ethos. A simple butterfly, conveniently crafted out of a couple of lower case 'g's. Can't say for sure we're going to run with it as the final, but I suspect we will.

So I had to grin when I first saw the cover today of a new book published in part by UNOS: The Gift that Heals: Stories of hope, renewal, and transformation through organ and tissue donation. Nice little butterfly on the cover! I love the choice of the words "hope," "renewal," and "transformation," too -- all of those came up when we were talking through the butterfly logo concept with Spyglass, and all of them ring so true. I haven't read this book yet but it sounds inspiring. This is from UNOS' news release about the book, which came out in January 2008:

A few years ago, UNOS approached writer and donor dad Reg Green with the idea of writing a book about organ and tissue donation. The recently published book is titled, "The Gift That Heals: Stories of hope, renewal and transformation through organ and tissue donation." What makes this book unique is that it consists of 42 personal stories covering almost every facet of the donation/transplantation process -- the experiences of donor families, living donors, transplant candidates and recipients, donation and transplant professionals. "The goal of this book is to give readers a feel for the wide range of emotions and experiences that are inherent in this fascinating, life-saving procedure," said Walter Graham, executive director of UNOS, who conceived the idea for the book. "At the same time, we want readers to be inspired to support organ and tissue donation -- especially by declaring their intention to be donors themselves."

The book is available through publishing company

AuthorHouse. It is also available through Amazon.com. The price is approximately $13. Electronic copies are available from AuthorHouse for $4.95.

Doctors and kidneys and parties, oh my!

2007-11-29T09:17:00.000-06:00

Lots of stuff to tell you about these days, starting with a huge thanks to David at the Minnesota American Liver Foundation for giving me the opportunity to speak for a couple of minutes in front of a few dozen hepatologists and other liver-related physicians at an event for the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease. It went well, and a few of the docs stopped by afterwards to take my card, ask me more, and make helpful suggestions. Russ Wiesner, a prominent gastroenerologist and past president of UNOS, challenged me on the issue of paying organ donors. (Initially, I think, he misunderstood the Greatest Gift Foundation's mission and thought that I was promoting the idea of paid donation, which is categorically not so. At a minimum, we agreed that health care coverage for donors would be a reasonable step to take.) But it was fun having the debate with him and learning more about his insights on the best solutions to the organ shortage, which appear to be more about changing the structure and politics of the UNOS system than about reaching potential donors, living or dead.

Cara Mastrey, the sister of rock DJ Tawn Mastrey, introduced herself to say she too is launching a foundation in memory of her sister, who passed away in October, a casualty of hepatitis C and the infuriating lack of available donor organs.

But still, the highlight of the night for me may have been my conversation with a nurse who ushered me into the hallway to talk about her grand neice, who needs an organ, and her struggles with the decision of whether to be tested to donate in case she was needed. I learned something new about myself and my foundation after that conversation. The fundraising, the public speaking, the PR -- it's not that I'm not good at them or don't enjoy them -- it's just that what really energizes me is the actual service, making the connections and digging in to support people who are going through this. It's the work that pumps the energy through my veins. I can't wait to get started.

Oh, and the Jingle Jangle is cooking, and we can't wait to see as many of you as possible at the big event!

Minnesota Public Radio Show Today on Payment for Donations

2007-11-21T09:36:00.000-06:00

Yers truly joined the (disconcerting) conversation today on Minnesota Public Radio's Mid Morning show, featuring two prominent transplant physicians and leaders on why they are promoting a pay-for-organ solution to the kidney shortage in the U.S. I have tremendous concerns that this is going way too far given that we haven't even managed to support the living donors with basic emotional and economic support to see how that works. I called in, and was hoping for the chance for a little more give and take than I got, but no matter what any of us think of the conversation, it was a delight that it is being had!

You can listen at http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/11/21/midmorning1/.

A powerful story from B.C.

2007-11-15T19:19:00.000-06:00

Well, wow. Lisa from The Tyee in British Columbia, Canada, wrote to let me know about this beautifully written essay in yesterday's paper, by staff writer Linda Solomon, who considered donating a kidney for her brother. She eloquently captures the emotion that both potential donor and potential candidate go through -- the anxiety, the guilt, the fear, the pressure, the hope. For those of you who are interested in healing ceremonies, there's a bit about that as well. But you don't need to be invested in organ donation to find it simply a touching and powerful read. Highly recommend you check it out.

"Sick Girl" author speaks on the impact of her book

2007-10-29T18:25:00.001-05:00

You may have heard buzz about a new memoir called Sick Girl, in which heart transplant recipient Amy Silverstein describes the ongoing difficulties of post-transplant life and chronicles her struggles as she attempted to hide her lingering pain and suffering from her friends and family in an effort to appear "normal." Several reviewers and pundits have criticized the book, saying that it may dissuade people from getting the life-saving transplants they need, and that it might deter potential organ donors from becoming donors.

Today CNN offers a short video interview with Amy, in which she explains the true message of her book and elegantly addresses the critics head on, saying she thinks: "Anyone who really reads my book will see that I have been given life, and post-transplant I finished law school. I became a mother. I got married. I'm a sister, I'm a daughter, I'm a friend, I'm a community member. I am living, and I'm living for one reason only, and that is that donated organ. And I think that's quite clear in the book."

Worthy of a read, perhaps. If any one has read it send your thoughts in comments!

Heart-warming donor connection of the day

2007-10-09T16:39:00.001-05:00

My man John passed on this terrific article today. Who would have ever guessed that your vacuum cleaner salesman might also someday share the bond of a gift of life with you! An excerpt is below, but the full article is available at the link above.

Salesman brings more than vacuum cleaners to T.F. home
By Nate Poppino
Times-News writer

It's the kind of luck you get once in a lifetime.

After nearly three years of dialysis and searching for a donor, Twin Falls auto financier Paul Sucher has a new kidney. But he didn't get it by waiting on a list.

Rather, the kidney walked right up to his house and knocked on his door.

"I'm so healthy right now, it's almost like (losing my kidneys) never happened," Sucher said Tuesday.

It's all thanks to a Kirby vacuum cleaner salesman, and what Sucher, 35, called "truly a miracle."

The long wait

Sucher's kidneys failed three years ago as the result of hypertension, or high blood pressure. The change rocked Sucher's family, he said, who gradually got used to his new schedule - regular dialysis and other medical care, all while he kept his full-time job as finance manager for The Car Store.

They also got used to his odds of a transplant. Sucher shared his waiting list, for a transplant at the University of Colorado in Denver, with 500 people. In two-and-a-half years, he hadn't even moved one-fourth of the way up the list.

"You're waiting for a dead man's kidney," he said. "There's never enough."

On top of that, Sucher's blood type is O-positive. It's the most common - 37 percent of people are type O. But while other types could receive kidneys with any kind of blood, he needed a kidney from another O-type. That's assuming, of course, that the tissue types were the same as well.

Sucher had resigned himself to years of waiting, as none of his family members were a match. But then came the day several months ago when Jamie Howard knocked on his door.

The Idaho Falls-based vacuum cleaner salesman, also age 35, asked what was wrong when he was told Sucher's family couldn't afford a new Kirby. When Sucher's spouse, who answered the door, told Howard about the medical problems, Howard knew he had a kidney to spare.

"I went outside, prayed about it, called my dad and my wife," Howard said. "It was something I was called to do."

Boss of the Year!

2007-06-19T12:03:00.000-05:00

No offense to my boss, who's all-knowing and powerful, but North Carolina boss Chris Jernigan wins Boss of the Year in my book. He successfully donated a kidney to his assistant, Lisa White, earlier this year, and CNN has a warm video report on its site today. The report doesn't mention the company -- if any of you out there knows Chris or Lisa, let them know about Chopped Liver, because I'd love to get ahold of them for my ongoing work on my new site and foundation. Happy day!

Reality bites TV viewers

2007-06-12T22:44:00.001-05:00

When I first heard about "The Big Donor Show," an elaborate reality TV show hoax staged in early June on TV in the Netherlands, I was as abhorred as the most squeamish of Dutch viewers. In the one-night broadcast, three contestants in need of a kidney transplant were competing to "win" the kidney of a terminally ill woman. At the last minute, though, as viewers sat on the edge of their seats in horror over who would live and die, the host revealed that the show was a hoax, that the would-be donor was a perfectly healthy actress, that all the actors were willingly in on it, and that the point of the trick was to raise awareness for the need to change Dutch organ donation laws and promote organ donation choices.

Grotesque in the extreme.

But then for a while, my Mom changed my mind. When I brought it up this weekend, she questioned whether perhaps it was worth it -- macabre as it was -- because the Netherlands, it turns out, has a very stupid law in place. To be a live donor, you must be a relative or close friend. No anonymous strangers allowed. (Whaddaya think of that, Mike?) And they have the same shortage challenges we face here, and the world faces overall. Okay, I conceded she has a point.

Now, though, I'm back to critical. It's all just too ugly for me I guess. After a very quick Google search, I found this posting by a professional British blog bloke, Mal Fletcher (killer smile, that one) that reflects my own opinion quite well.

Welcome

2007-06-12T22:12:00.000-05:00

Hi to my newest reader, Tom. Welcome to Chopped Liver!

A sad day in the transplant community

2007-06-05T12:47:00.000-05:00

A tragic and hideously unfair plane crash killed two surgeons and two organ donor specialists from the University of Michigan Health System on Monday, while they were flying donor organs to a critical-condition patient. From CNN.com:

The university identified those aboard the plane as: Dr. Martinus "Martin" Spoor, a cardiac surgeon who had been on the faculty since 2003; Dr. David Ashburn, a physician-in-training in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery; Richard Chenault II, a transplant donation specialist with the university transplant program; Richard Lapensee, a transplant donation specialist with the university transplant program; and pilots Dennis Hoyes and Bill Serra.

Mind you, this might sting a bit...

2007-03-27T16:56:00.000-05:00

Overdue and obviously called for: the U.S. government has adopted a set of basic standards that transplant centers must follow with live donors, including full disclosure of risks, clarifying to the donor that he/she can back out at any time, and providing a knowledgeable donor advocate MD who is not part of the transplant team. (Thanks, Carol, for sending the news from St. Louis.) Yea, government!

Joe's and my fabulous transplant team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital did everything right without being told they had to back in January '06 when we went through this. My donor advocate was a general practitioner who was not affiliated with the transplant team or even the hepatology unit. Granted, he was a minor character in my story, forgettable, like the Ted "the Lackey" on Scrubs, but the point is I was examined medically (complete physical) and cleared for donation by a doctor with no conflict of interest, and I was welcomed to contact that doctor with any questions or concerns, any time.

As for explaining the risks, well, yes, please, and thank you! Because it does hurt for a while, and there are real risks to consider. Now if only the Feds would mandate that hospitals recommend Chopped Liver to all potential live donors. Is that too much to ask?

Meet Theresa and Megan

2007-03-05T09:12:00.000-06:00

In yesterday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, columnist Sylvester Brown, Jr. writes a very sweet story about Theresa, who had just completed a (so-far) successful liver donation for an infant named Megan who was a stranger to her. I appreciated how he captured honestly some of the ups and downs that both sides went through in the process leading up to the surgery. Theresa and Megan are doing well so far, he reports. You can read the story here. My thoughts and well wishes to both families!

All my love on Organ Donation Day

2007-02-18T14:18:00.000-06:00

I just learned belatedly that I have the best reason ever for no longer hating Valentine's Day. February 14, it turns out, is Organ Donation Day! So to all of you, my love and big candy hearts!

Even sweeter, I'll wrap up some interesting links for you in a nice red bow:

The International Association for Organ Donation is having its annual gala and convention on April 19-20 in Detroit. This organization's goal is to promote organ donation registry, with a focus on U.S. minority ethnic communities that are most in need of organs -- Arab/Chaldean, African, Asian and Hispanic American communities. According to IAOD's Web site, it is second only to the Secretary of State in enrolling organ donors to the State [MI] registry.

Another interesting link I've (unbelievably) just discovered is www.organdonor.gov, which offers "access to U.S. government information on Organ & Tissue Donation and Transplantation." Well, then! Like the IAOD above, the site recognizes and calls out our specific shortage of minority donors. I'll add it to the permalinks at right.

Seeking a donor or want to donate? Try this...

2007-02-04T11:51:00.000-06:00

In looking for ideas to pass to Mina (see post below), I came across a site called MatchingDonors.com, which, as the name obviously suggests, aims to match people who need a live donor with people who are altruistically willing to donate an organ to a stranger. After reviewing it thoroughly (it appears not only legitimate, but rather awe-inspiring and professional), I am adding a perma-link to the resources section at right.

[UPDATE 7 February '07:] With further exploration I learned that this site charges would-be recipients a large sum ($600 ) to post an "organ wanted" listing on the site. I was prepared to blog about that -- as a business student and strategist it irks me that MatchingDonors' business model (as a non-profit, no less) relies upon the people it is serving to pay for its operating expenses. But then I read the comment from Angie, who pointed out that Medicare may cover the listing costs and also that the organization can work with people who can't afford the hefty fee. I'm not sure how I feel about the concept, frankly, but as always I'm here to keep everyone as informed as I can, and let you judge for yourselves. Thanks for the comments, Angie!

Spread the word - seeking a donor for Suzan

2007-01-30T16:12:00.000-06:00

My friend Sesil forwarded me this message from her close friend, Mina Ozturk, whose sister is seeking a living kidney donor due to renal failure. Please spread the word!

Recruiting for Mission Critical Position:
Living Kidney Donor with Blood Type O
By Mina Ozturk, Talent Acquisition Consultant
SPHR, MA-HRIR

Recruit without boundaries. Reward without measure. During my tenure in the Human Resources field and in Talent Acquisition, I have been faced with difficult recruiting assignments in rather tough markets nationwide. This is, by far, my most challenging and time sensitive assignment to date. To fill a Mission Critical Position: A Living Kidney Donor with Blood Type O for my sister with a start date of “now”.

My sister, Suzan Ozturk, is experiencing kidney (renal) failure and needs a kidney transplant now to regain her strength and to prevent her from having to go on dialysis while waiting five years or more for a deceased donor kidney. According to the specialists at the University of Minnesota’s Transplant Center, a kidney from a living donor is her best option at this time. I have been evaluated by the team at the Transplant Center, but recently learned that our blood types are incompatible and I will not be considered as a potential donor. As a Type O recipient, Suzan may only receive a kidney from a Type O donor. Therefore, we are reaching out to relatives and non-relatives to locate a suitable match as quickly as possible.
...
More Information. If you are interested in finding out more about living donor organ donation, you may contact Cathy Garvey, the Transplant Coordinator at the Fairview University-Medical Center’s Transplant Center located on the University of Minnesota’ campus. Her contact number is listed below. She will conduct a confidential phone consultation to initially determine your eligibility. If you are eligible to donate, she will coordinate with you to have your blood drawn for typing either at your clinic or at the Transplant Center. She will also send to you additional information regarding the Living Donor program. All of this may be done confidentially and you do not have to share the results of the typing, or your final decision.

Contact: Cathy Garvey- Transplant Coordinator
Fairview- University Medical Center – Transplant Center

612-625-5115
Options 5-8-1, and reference Suzan Ozturk as the potential kidney recipient
cgarvey1@fairview.org
Business Hours: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
http://www.fairviewtransplant.org/kidney/kidney_living_donor.asp

A big day for donors in the WSJ

2007-01-21T09:41:00.000-06:00

It's remarkable on its own that Mark Foster saved his father's life with a liver donation -- but even more amazing is that he got ink (lots of it) on the front page of the Wall Street Journal this weekend. The in-depth story about his journey, "The High Price of Keeping Dad Alive," is accessible only if you buy the paper this weekend or if you are a subscriber to the Web site ($79-$99/year).

But God bless it, most of the Web is free free free, including Mark's outstanding blog, SaveFoster.com. I'm adding a perma-link in the "other blogs" list to the right. (I'm also adding a link to Josh Carpenter's blog. He's a PSC survivor and transplant recipient who gets to celebrate his first "transpliversary" in just a couple of months. )

Also, note that Mark encountered some financial hardship as a result of donating. (Now that his blog is front-page WSJ news, I presume his financial woes will soon be addressed by the sympathetic high-income readers, and definitely hope so!) It's worth pointing out that this is exactly why I want to launch the Greatest Gift Foundation -- to assist would-be donors financially so they can worry instead about what matters most: giving, healing, and moving on. I can't move fast enough but have so little time!

Thanks to McNarney and Amy Willis for pointing out the WSJ story.

Hey, stranger

2007-01-20T19:41:00.000-06:00

It's worth pulling out of comments and into a post Brent, an energetic and empathetic potential live donor I met through Chopped Liver, has started his "One-A-Day 2007" photo project to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. I encourage you to check it out and keep going back, because the volume and repetition is a definite part of its charm.

Brent aims to take and publish a photograph portrait of one complete stranger per day at his Flicker project site, with a brief comment on the nature of their conversation, which invariably will include the topic of organ donation. To do this, of course, he has to approach said strangers, engage them in a conversation that some people may consider awkward, get them to agree to be photographed, and get a signed release from them to allow him to publish the pictures. It reminds me vaguely of a great '90s movie, Smoke, about the poignancy of human connection, in which Harvey Keitel takes and stores photographs of his Brooklyn cigar store every day for several years. Brent, it's a beautiful concept, and without doubt my fave so far is your portrait of "G" from Day 12.

I'd encourage you to bookmark Brent's blog, CausalEffect, as well - because he has been coming up with some insightful and information-rich links on organ donation there lately, putting Chopped Liver to shame. And by all means, if you see this guy coming toward you with a camera, say cheese!

Happy BIRTHDAY, dear transplant....

2007-01-17T22:26:00.000-06:00

There is no Hallmark card, oddly enough, to say "Happy One-Year Anniversary of the Day I Gave You an Organ!" -- so I'm kind of on my own to express what I'm feeling towards Joe on this Wednesday night, the eve of the first anniversary of our transplant. (Only kind of, because the blessed Yahoo Greetings comes close with its speak-what-you-type talking e-cards, as Joe knows quite well by now!) Frankly, there's no card that can even come close to expressing what I'm feeling toward my whole family, all my friends, my boss and co-workers, the surgeons at NMH, my faithful Chopped Liver readers, and everyone who I have been in touch with around the world about this life-changing series of events. This is love, people. Love, gusto, hopefulness, joy, pride, humility, a teensy bit of disbelief, and above all, gratitude.

Joe: Let's hope for an even better year two. I love you so much!

As you may have noticed, I've been taking a break from Chopped Liver. Frustrated by my inadequate progress toward the new Web site and non-profit foundation I'm trying to launch, and busy with a tough load of classes and a major merger at work, I just couldn't face it. It was feeling like a burden and I didn't feel very worthy of it all.

But here I am, just back from another life-altering early-year event -- a two-week MBA crash course in sustainable business in the heart of Costa Rica -- and my soul feels refreshed and my perspective healed. And suddenly, I love love love this blog again. So with renewed resolve, I pledge to return to blogging with more frequency and vigor.

Terry, Mike, Brent, thank you so much for your recent emails. I really love hearing from you and I promise to respond to you each personally very soon.

Catching up

2006-12-10T21:26:00.000-06:00

My world started spinning three times faster a few weeks ago, and I haven't been thrown off yet but I did have to take a little blog hiatus. In the meantime I've heard from many of you, with good news and bad, and am eager to catch up. (Note how many times I use the word "inspire" or a variation thereof in the next few paragraphs. I love this community -- you people are awesome!)

* Brent, who's been in touch with me for a while now, wrote to say that he learned he was declined as a donor for his father-in-law due to medical reasons. He's the first person I've corresponded with during pre-donation testing who was rejected, so I'm taking his disappointment surprisingly personally. But he continues to inspire -- he's launching a photo project where every day next year he'll take a photo of one stranger on the street and ask that person about whether they are an organ donor, etc., and he'll be posting his results online. The purpose, besides being quite interesting in its own right, is to spread the word about the importance of organ donation. I love it! He's also keeping us up to date on his own life and the ongoing search for a donor at his blog, CausalEffect. His father-in-law has taken a turn for the worse, so join me in hoping for the best for the whole family.

* Colleen, a mom from Florida, wrote to introduce me to her inspiring group, 3-Day Mom, a group of moms from all over the country who walked the Breast Cancer 3-Day this year (and, from the sounds of it, plan to keep on walking). The group's blog fills you in on the race and what you can do to help, even now that the event is over and the countdown to October 2007's event has just begun. Way to walk, ladies!

* Mike, our happy and healthy source of inspiration from Canada who donated to little infant Kailey Simmons, says with excitement that he's very close to getting to meet Kailey and her family for the first time. I'm beginning to think Mike may be a living guardian angel to me. It seems his enthusiastic and optimistic emails always arrive on the days I need them most.

* One reader asked how my scar looks now that I'm nearing the one-year anniversary date of the transplant. I'm begging Mom and Dad for a digital camera for Christmas this year, and if they come through, I'll take a pic and show you that way. But to describe it in a word, the scar is "MINIMAL." Seriously, it is smooth, not very puffy, and not very red. I have 100% feeling in the area -- I heard reports that it could be numb or tingle from time to time, but haven't experienced that a bit. In fact, it's nearly flattering.... the scar runs perfectly vertical down the middle of my torso, so from a distance it just makes me look like my abs are a little more ripped! And of course, when I look at it, or feel it, I remember Joe and the whole experience, and I swell with pride and faith in miracles, so it's a part of me I wouldn't give up for the world.

More soon... I've got lots of news to post in the coming days!

Meet Mike - in amazing photographic detail

2006-10-29T13:21:00.000-06:00

Thanks to a reader named Christian, I just received the kind of hook-up that I live for when it comes to Chopped Liver and my upcoming project for the new Web site. His brother, Mike, recently donated for a baby named Evan at UCLA, and like me Mike chronicled the event on his personal Web site - albeit one that's much more tech-savvy than my own. (Yea, Firefox!)

And get this.... Mike got permission to have someone take pictures during the surgery, and he has posted them on his site. They're phenomenal in quality and in detail, and unlike anything I've ever seen. Apparently, they're unlike anything that many people have ever seen, including transplant coordinators and others who help donors like us daily but aren't actually in the operating room. I highly encourage you to check them out, but beware if you're squeamish. (If you made it through the Body Worlds exhibit, these pics will be a piece of cake. )

As you look at these, note that Mike's surgery was different from mine in that they gave him the full "Mercedes logo" treatment (in which the incision is like a large upside down capital "Y". In my case, they did most of the work through a scope entered through my belly button -- my pictures would have been relatively boring compared to these -- and then just made a straight-line incision down the center of my torso for the act of removing the donated liver piece. Mike's treatment is the more common, as I understand it, and his resulting scar looks just like my brother's.

Thanks so much, Christian, for connecting us to Mike's site. My best wishes for both Mike and Evan's ongoing recovery and health.

More on Kailey Simmons

2006-10-27T16:41:00.000-05:00

I am ages overdue for updating you all on Kailey and her donor, who has written me with infectious enthusiasm about how great he feels and how wonderfully the recipient of his sturdy liver tissue is doing. It is excellent news, indeed -- Canada's A-Channel News ran a television segment that's available for viewing online. (Click "dial up" or "highspeed" in the rectangular box that says "click here to get the video story.")

Having followed this story since the anonymous donor first contacted me several weeks ago, I didn't think the video would touch me as much as it did -- I nearly cried seeing Kailey smiling and her mother talking about how thankful she is to have her baby home. M, I'm so amazed and inspired by your gift and your attitude!

You may not forgive me for this one

2006-10-21T15:08:00.000-05:00

My thanks to Jason for the most annoyingly addictive video I have ever seen that is loosely related to this blog's theme. You have to watch the whole thing.

Joe Joe Joe Joe Joe

2006-10-18T22:31:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's more about Joe. But that's just because I am excited. He is back to work this week, and this time, it's official (he has his medical license renewed, and everything). He posted something cheery on his blog a couple of days ago. And I get to go visit him this weekend in Chicago, as part of a last-minute junket to cheer on Amanda as she runs the Chicago marathon. (Having been through one of our own with this whole transplant thing, it'll be nice to watch someone else do the work for a change.)

Are there pro-blog cells in liver tissue?

2006-10-11T23:33:00.000-05:00

Well, holy buckets. Joe sent me a brief email a couple days ago, seven words long, seven shocking words I never thought I'd hear him utter in meaningful succession: "I broke down and created a blog." This from a man who criticizes blogs more often than Paris Hilton buys handbags, more, even, than Boss Hogg complained about Bo and Luke Duke. (Um, that was a lot, for those of you who were born too late to dig the show and too early to have even noticed the recent terrible cinematic version.) I can only chalk this amazing 180 up to the fact that with the transfer of my liver tissue came a transfer of some blog gene that mingled with Joe's anti-blog DNA, metastisized to his brain, and burrowed in to stay.

Check it out, but only if there's a cute little puppy close by to cheer you up. I've posted a perma-link to the right, too.

And welcome to the blogosphere, Joe. You're one of us now. There's no turning back.

"Reality" TV and urban legend

2006-09-28T12:05:00.000-05:00

Anyone who watches FX network's ribald Nip/Tuck series knows that it is a highly realistic and medically responsible bastion of the truth, with poignant story lines that so closely mirror my own life I can hardly stand to watch. (And anyone who knows me can suss out the sarcasm.)

So I got a good giggle when Ingrid emailed me this from NYC:

"I was watching Nip/Tuck last night--my favorite, deliciously messed-up show of all time--and one of the characters was seduced in a bar and woke up to find that her kidney had been removed! Yikes. Seems there was a rogue group of organ thieves loose in Miami. Anyway, made me think about the horrendous underground organ trade and how very, very creepy it is. Kidneys, etc. worth thousands of dollars. Congratulations---now every time I see anything regarding organs, I think of you."

Sweet!

Kidney theft shows crack me up, and yes, I've seen several of them. Mind you, not a single incidence of it has ever been documented in the United States; it's pure "urban legend," most popularly believed to have begun with a falsified 1997 story at a Texas university.

In a related note, another moral pillar of TV drama light, Las Vegas, got selected for the Parents Television Council's prestigious "Worst TV Show of the Week" for its February 6 episode about a kidney theft.

The cutest little baby face!

2006-09-27T22:38:00.000-05:00

Here she is, pink-skinned and smiling! One-year-old Kailey Simmons is recovering well in Toronto two weeks after receiving a life-saving liver from stranger-hero Mike, who wrote me yesterday with an update that he's doing well still, too. For the 40 percent of you who said you'd consider donating an organ for a stranger if you discovered you were a rare match, Mike and Kailey are out there as living proof of how good that gift feels.

On pope-blogging and liver-donating

2006-09-25T18:48:00.000-05:00

I have a theory that Pope-related posts are far over-used by bloggers, so I apologize for the indiscretion of "pope-blogging" just before going on a posting hiatus. (And I hope dearly that I have just officially coined a new term, and that I might rejoice in someday seeing it added to the OED.)

I have much more personal updates to share, anyway. First, remember a few posts back, when I wrote about a young man in Canada who was donating for a young baby he didn't know, Kailey Simmons? The surgery was last week, and the donor wrote me to say that he and the little girl are doing well. I officially welcome him to Chopped Liver siblinghood! He's eagerly hoping to meet the girl and her family sometime soon. I'm following the story in the Canadian press, and as soon as someone writes with an update, I'll post a link.

Second, my thanks to those of you who've been asking about Joe. After a week into working again, he's feeling fine and going strong. Such a welcome reprieve after nearly seven months of frustrating recovery set-backs.

This might make you mad

2006-09-17T17:23:00.000-05:00

At the request of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican has re-opened for debate its ruling on whether a brain-dead person is actually dead. (Currently, the Catholic Church's official position is that brain death is death, even if the heart is still beating.) A terrific Sept. 15 article in Catholic Online sums up why I care:

"The question is crucial since brain-dead people may be suitable organ donors. If a brain-dead person weren't really dead, then removal of vital organs for transplant would be synonymous to homicide."

This wasn't necessarily Pope Benedict's idea: His predecessor, Pope John Paul II, had ruled that brain death equals death in 2000, but asked for the issue to be re-studied just before his own demise in 2005. Benny was just running with J.P.'s ball.

The Vatican academy, which held a summit last week involving 20 leading neurologists from all over the world, has recommended that the ruling not be changed. The final ruling must now come from the Pope. Red Prada shoes and pointy hat aside, he seems a reasonable man.

Meanwhile, a minority population of neurologists like L.A.-based neurologist Dr. Alan Shewmon continue to claim that brain death is nothing more than a pretty darn bad coma. Wearing my "all opinions welcome" hat, I should say that it's healthy to hear dissenting views on matters of such deep morality. Taking that hat off, I'm praying like mad that the Pope sticks with the majority.

Unfree at last! Unfree at last!

2006-09-14T15:21:00.000-05:00

Joe is going back to work Monday, after just over a full year. Good luck, Joe!

Meanwhile, back at my old NMH stomping grounds...

2006-09-12T17:04:00.000-05:00

Hey, everyone, I'm happy to introduce you to Samantha, the first Chopped Liver reader to write to me who will become a live donor at the same transplant center as me! In October, she and her dad will walk the same halls of Northwestern Memorial Hospital that Joe and I did, hop into the same ugly backless gowns and onto the same gurneys, maybe even get wheeled into the same lucky adjoining rooms, to undergo the same surgery Joe and I did exactly nine months previously. I'm sure they'll even have the same surgeons we did. (Samantha and I haven't dished yet about whether she's as smitten with the handsome Dr. K. as I am.)

Samantha's dad has cirrhosis caused by years of taking antibiotics to combat colitis. Live transplant is, at this point, his only option. With a few weeks yet to wait, if she's anything like me, Samantha could use some entertaining diversions to keep her mind off of the slowly moving turning of the earth, so if you've got a good joke or fun link (keep it clean, now -- Chopped Liver is a family site!) leave it in comments for her. (Don't forget, they won't show up until I approve them, due to comment spammers.)

I'll start:

Top Ten Things You Don't Want to Hear During Surgery:

10. Hey, if that's his spleen, then what's this I'm holding?

9. Could someone stop that red thing from beating? It's throwing off my concentration.

8. No one move... I think I just lost a contact lens.

7. Wait, this isn't a sex change operation?

6. Nurse, hand me that, um, uh, thingie.

5. Don't worry. I saw Dr. Kovach do this same operation on ER last week so I know how exactly how to do it.

4. And, that's the last stitch... hey, wait, where's my scalpel?

3. Someone call the janitor. We're going to need a mop.

2. "Accept this sacrifice, o Great Lord of Darkness!"

1. Nurse, more anesthesia please -- ahem, not for the patient, for me!

Welcome Samantha, and good luck these next few weeks to you and your dad. Say hi to Lori and the gang for me.

Giving it up for a stranger

2006-09-06T23:09:00.000-05:00

I'm in touch with a young man who has made the monumental decision to donate a portion of his liver to a young child who is a total stranger to him, after learning that he was the only one out of hundreds who was a match and a qualified healthy candidate.

Because the child's case has garnered much media attention, he's lying low until the surgery next week, and I'm respectfully keeping his identity anonymous -- but I want you all to know about him. Those of you who are prayers, go crazy for him. Those of you who throw good energy vibes, toss 'em up. And if you're him, well, know that I and your fellow Chopped Liver readers are wishing you the very best of luck and courage.

The idea of donating for strangers so inspired me that I decided it was time I learned how to add a readers' poll to this blog. So without further adieu, I usher in the debut of the Chopped Liver poll:
Update 9/17 -- the poll is closed but below are the results.

Would you donate a kidney or portion of your liver to a total stranger, if you learned you were a rare match?

Peace and comfort to the Barnes

2006-09-03T13:42:00.000-05:00

Last week, my coworker Katrina called me to say that her wonderful friends Randy and Britt Barnes were in a severe motorcycle accident in Stillwater. While Britt survived in critical condition, Randy did not. The couple has two young children. There is simply nothing fair, just, or understandable about flash tragedies like this one, and my heart and prayers go out to everyone whose lives were touched by the accident. Especially to Britt and their girls. I find so much hope and love, however, in the blessing that Randy passed on to the world: He chose to donate all his organs, and doctors estimate that multiple lives will be saved this weekend thanks to his gift.

The Joe skinny

2006-08-29T12:40:00.000-05:00

Many of you have asked for an update on Joe: Next week the docs will decide whether to remove the drainage tube that's propping open his biliary duct, and we hope very much that they'll do so. Once they do, if the stars align, the duct will stay open and Joe's current upswing will continue. Then he might be able to return to work in a few weeks, at last, eight months after the transplant surgery.

High expectations run in my family, so we'll be disappointed with anything less than an excellent outcome. Plus Joe is dying to get back to work, despite being comfy in his cozy new digs in Wrigleyville.

Speaking of high expectations, Joe reports that Homer's The Iliad didn't meet his. He's going to give The Odyssey a try nonetheless...

Did you know?

2006-08-25T17:28:00.000-05:00

There are organizations all over the U.S. and world that offer financial assistance to people who are awaiting organ transplants, have already received them, are trying to become live donors, or have already donated. Some are niche-focused, helping only transplant recipients in a certain state, for example. Others are much more broad, providing financial assistance for health and living expenses to donors and/or recipients before, during, and after surgery. Recipients and donors can even qualify for special academic scholarships, like this one.

Oh, I wish we'd known this sooner! We're looking into fundraising now to help Joe pay his medical expenses and recover from the last six months of downtown Chicago living with no income whatsoever. The deeper we dig, the more we realize we lost out by not taking advantage of these opportunities sooner.

I've added several links to organizations that offer financial assistance, in the right-side navigation bar under "Resources for donors & recipients." To find others, try Googling "transplant assistance" or "organ transplant foundation" etc. Add your state or city name to the search to narrow the results -- you may find a small local fund that could help.

(No longer) Jaundice Jill

2006-08-22T19:57:00.000-05:00

With a note from Chicago's Jaundice Jill, the Chopped Liver community has grown by one more member. Jill, who's my age, wrote to say she recently became a live donor liver recipient. Like Joe, she had primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) but with a nasty dose of bile duct cancer to boot. Her boyfriend was her donor (now THAT's a relationship!) and, happily, both are well and she's already back to work. Stop by her blog if you're interested in the perspective from her side of the PSC/liver donation fence.

O, that great maroon snail

2006-08-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

I went trolling for a fun liver-related quote to post tonight, and found this little gem by Richard Selzer:

"The liver, that great maroon snail: No wave of emotion sweeps it.
Neither music nor mathematics gives it pause in its appointed tasks."

For those of you who are either surgical or fashion enthusiasts and are wondering, that's Dr. Richard Selzer, of Yale Medical School, not Richard Selzer a.k.a. Mr. Blackwell, fashion critic who's famous for his annual worst and best dressed lists. Or... maybe they're one and the same?!?! (You heard it hear first!)

Little livers and big, big hearts

2006-08-18T15:05:00.000-05:00

As if the idea of life-or-death transplant needs weren't sad enough, it's downright heart-wrenching when you hear about liver disease in little kids. That's been on my mind a lot lately, but thankfully the news I have been hearing is more positive than negative.

First, I heard from a bold young man who wrote from Canada to tell me he's getting tested to donate for a 10-month-old infant he read about in the newspaper. I am motivated and inspired when I hear of and from people who are generous enough to even look into donating for a stranger. Thanks for writing.

Then, hope came in the form of a phone call to my co-workers' family, whose two adorables, Kyle and Sami, are afflicted by Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Kyle had already had his transplant, but Sami was awaiting hers. And then late on Wednesday, the night before Kyle was scheduled for a follow-up surgery, a liver became available for Sami. Both kids had surgeries early that morning, and both are doing well! Shannon and family, you're all in my thoughts and prayers!

Ta Ta Parties, Soldier Postcards and Other Great Gifts

2006-08-04T16:43:00.000-05:00

Hm, I've been outdone in generosity this week by a couple of friends. First, Krista emerged with her "Soiree to Save the Ta Tas," a cocktail party to raise money for her participation in the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. (Because her cause is noble, I'm willing to overlook that she has shamelessly and ruthlessly plagiarized the Jingle Jangle concept.)

Then Major Jack put out an all-call about Lets Say Thanks, a Xerox-sponsored program to collect postcards to be sent to U.S. soldiers stationed overseas. It takes two seconds -- just choose a cute design from the menu (all drawn by kids from across the U.S.), choose an existing message or write one of your own, and hit "submit." Xerox prints them and includes them randomly in packages sent to the soldiers. It's nice of Xerox and appropriate regardless of your political views or opinions of the war.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that my new pal Jason has agreed to donate his organs, as those of you who read comments have already learned. Way to step up, J.

I have cool friends. Happy weekend, everyone!

On guilt

2006-07-18T22:25:00.000-05:00

A recent liver transplant recipient that I met through Chopped Liver correspondence recently posted on his blog his thoughts on guilt. "I have talked to a few people who have had a liver transplant and most have felt guilt about the other person who has died so that I could live," he writes. "I do not feel guilty about the situation. ... Now I'm feeling guilty because I don't feel guilty!"

As a live liver donor, this hit me so strongly -- I wanted to reach across the miles and somehow help him know how far in his corner I am. I can empathize -- receiving such a profound gift must be an incredibly emotional experience in so many ways that most of us will never understand firsthand. So for any transplant recipients or hopeful recipients who might be interested in my humble opinions, I want to shout out with my (admittedly very personal) response: When I chose to give the gift of life, it was just that -- a gift. One given freely and meant to be received freely, without compensation or expectations. Whether I'm talking about the liver I have already given or the rest of my organs that I have volunteered to donate upon my death, I offer them with no strings attached in the hopes that their recipients will have a better life for it, and in the act of receiving will find comfort and hope. If any of my former organ owners feel guilt, all I ask is that they relieve it by paying kindness forward. Recycle something, give up road rage for a day, anything but guilt.

Meet Joe's hairy tongue

2006-07-16T23:04:00.000-05:00

Meet Joe's hairy tongue, the latest in an undeserved slew of unfortunate complications and ailments related to PSC and the transplant. Hairy tongue, says the omniscient physician known as Google, is "a commonly observed condition of defective desquamation of the filiform papillae." In plain English, says Joe (who is a real-live doctor, mind you): Hairy tongue is, well, when your tongue gets hairy. It's caused in some people by poor hygiene, and in others by a prolonged soft-food diet that causes your tongue not to get naturally scraped by rougher foods. In Joe's case, the culprits are the immune suppressants, the lack of a regular diet, the bazillion drugs he takes, and so on and so on and who knows. Like collapsed bile ducts, it's treatable, God love it. And I gotta hand it to Joe, he's laughing about it. For that matter, so was I, once I saw this picture of an actual inflicted tongue cell, magnified 150,000X under the finest scientific equipment. It's so ironic that it looks just like Gene Simmons.

(P.S. If you do yourself NO other favors today, do this for yourself: AVOID searching for the phrase "hairy tongue" on Google images. You will thank me.)

The Freakonomics guys take on organ demand

2006-07-16T13:08:00.000-05:00

I received this interesting New York Times Magazine link from Ingrid, who hears from me far less than she deserves. The authors of Freakonomics write an economist's argument for allowing live organ donors to accept payment for their contribution.

A different kind of "harvest time"

2006-07-10T18:19:00.000-05:00

Generally speaking the word "harvest" is pretty -- calmly sibilant, suggestive of sweeping corn fields and waves of grain. But something happens to it when it becomes part of the phrase "organ harvest." Not so easy on the ears, is it! Nonetheless, I'm adding the phrase to my list of periodic Google news searches in my attempt to stay up to date on the global organ donation landscape.

Today, the search yielded this interesting story from Australia: The country is considering legislation that would allow physicians to begin preparing brain-dead patients' organs for transplantation prior to their "real" (cardiac) death. It would be the first country in the world to explicitly legalize these helpful measures . Mind you, this would apply only to brain-dead patients who had elected during healthier times to become organ donors upon dying. (It is the Australian Health Ethics Committee proposing the idea, after all.)

I'm hardly knowledgeable enough to endorse the law, but sure as hell am inclined to do so, especially after reading this other Australian story, an ABC report found by searching for "organ harvest" on Google today: A Canadian report is suggesting that China is killing political prisoners by removing their useful organs from their otherwise healthy bodies, for transplantation into foreign patients who will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for the goods. These are the evils that our global organ shortage may be leading to. Thank you to all of you who have already completed your organ donor cards...

My abs are back, my heart is warm

2006-07-06T21:39:00.000-05:00

On the heels of my down-beat previous message, I'm posting this one with a gust of more characteristic optimism. Why the change of heart? For one, Joe is back out of the hospital and back to healing, albeit with a drainage tube still in place. For another, fellow live donor Terry wrote me with encouragement for keeping this blog going (I swear, girl, it's like you can tell from the ether exactly what I need to hear, and when!) . And on the same day, a new live donor named Jason reached out to tell me that he read Chopped Liver before and after his surgery and offered his help on an ongoing site to help future donors. What a difference it makes when you meet people know understand and share your passions.

And then there's this added perk: My abs are back! Getting dressed this morning, I noticed the definition is returning. I spent most of the 4th of July weekend in a bikini, by the way, and decided unequivocally that I love my scar. Happy day!

Ugh

2006-06-24T08:43:00.000-05:00

It's a fine line I have to negotiate: On one hand I want this site to be positive, focused on the miracle of modern medicine and of the power we have to give of ourselves to the ones we love. I want this site to be a source of courage and hope for others going through similar ordeals. And, of course, I want to protect the privacy and dignity of my family, especially Joe. But on the other hand, I created this site to chronicle my experience as a donor, and this week, the story isn't funny or upbeat. Joe is going to be fine in the long run, the doctors are still saying, but the path to getting there is proving to be frustrating and cruel. So to be true to my mission, I'll tell the story, insofar as it relates to my thoughts and feelings as his donor.

The question "How is your brother?" used to be one of my favorites, because the news was so good. Everyone loves a happy ending, smiles all around, shakes of the head and praise for the marvels of science. Today, I still value the question because it is so precious to know people are thinking and caring about our situation, and frankly, relieving to be invited to talk about it. But it's a much more tiring question to field these days. I don't know how much people want to hear, and no matter what I don't have enough to tell them, because I don't know enough. None of us do, not even Joe's doctors. Joe just keeps plugging away at the little setbacks, and we keep hoping that next time he leaves the hospital, it's the last time he'll have to do so for a while.

When I talked with one of the doctors at NMH about my plans to convert this site into a larger resource for potential and former donors, she cautioned me to be sensitive to donors whose experiences weren't as positive as mine -- donors whose recipients rejected the organs, donors who never got the chance to donate because the recipient didn't make it until or through surgery, donors who have since attended their recipients' funerals, and donors who suffered complications themselves. I imagine how it must feel for them to answer the questions, and two thoughts come to me. First, I'm better able to truly empathize, and second, while it might be hard, we are very, very fortunate. Blessings counted.

Laughing through the pain with Ricky Gervais

2006-06-16T12:50:00.000-05:00

Many of you have asked about Joe -- we're grateful for your concern and kind thoughts. When I left him in Chicago earlier this week, he was in pain but seemed to be steadily improving, and we had a great time laughing our way through season one of the British version of The Office and the newly released season one of Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. More important, Joe's long-term prognosis is still good, and there is no rejection going on.

I've learned more technical detail about the complications he experienced: hepatic artery stenosis and associated biliary stricture. In English, that means the hepatic artery (which is the primary supply of blood to the liver) collapsed, I think at the point where my piece of artery was sewn to his during the transplant. And then, as is frequently the case, that somehow caused the bile duct (which drains bile from the liver) to collapse, also at the point where mine was sewn to his. If you're feeling adventurous or if you're a scientific nerdy type, you might enjoy reading some of the many scientific articles published on the subject.

Joe's arterial stricture was solved with a stent, and a bile drain tube is currently propping open the bile duct. In both cases, Joe's tubes will heal and remain open independently. Then he's back on his way. And on to season two.

The latest on Joe

2006-06-09T10:30:00.000-05:00

I have a new least favorite word: Stricture. (n. An abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage.) Joe has been suffering some set-backs for the past few weeks -- he's jaundiced again, grappling with internal and external drains, and in a lot of pain -- due to strictures in his hepatic artery and bile duct, in both cases located right about where my tubes were sewed to his.

The good news is there's nothing life threatening going on, but the bad news is it's not good health, and it'll further postpone his return to work. Ugh. His condition at any given time does not impact my overall warm attitude about donating, but my frustration is definitely building over the fact that he's not zooming along a rosy trajectory toward life the way it was before PSC.

I'm heading to Chicago today to stay with him for a few days, just to help around the house.

Welcome, GretaWire readers!

2006-06-06T21:11:00.000-05:00

I am delighted you are here, and my humble thanks to Greta Van Susteren for posting the link on GretaWire.

You have arrived at Chopped Liver during a blessed time of transition.

There is the past: When I began this blog in November 2005, it was primarily to keep my family and friends informed as I attempted to -- and then later did -- donate half my liver to my brother Joe, who was suffering from an autoimmune disease called Primary Sclerosing Colanghitis (PSC). It was also a creative outlet to help preserve my sanity through the stressful and emotional ordeal. To follow the story from the beginning, start with the November '05 archives and read from the bottom up. If you are a potential donor, you may find some of the story particularly interesting, like my play-by-play of the pre-donation biopsy, pictures of my scar, and the before-and-after MRI images I recently posted below on this page.

There is the future: I never imagined then the miracle of human empathy and connection I would come to experience as a result of this little blip in cyberspace. I have communicated with other donors, patients in need, and anonymous well-wishers from all over the world through this blog, and realized that there is a passionate community of us out there that can genuinely benefit from a place to call home on the Web. Therefore, I am working now on evolving this blog into that online community, which will re-launch as Greatest-Gift.org in the coming months. If you would like to receive word about this site when it launches, please send me an email to be added to my private distribution list.

And then, there is now: I haven't been writing as much, because there is less to say. (I'm healthy, Joe is getting there, ho hum!) I'm spending my time instead on research and preparation for the re-launch. But meanwhile, there is so much to tell a first-time visitor. So much. Like the following:

Of the 92,265 people in the U.S. on the national list for a deceased-donor liver, only one fourth are likely to receive one in time based on current UNOS statistics. An average of 17 people die in the U.S. per day while waiting for organs.
The nation's organ shortage is exacerbated by misunderstandings of what it takes to donate one's organs after death. UNOS debunks several myths on its Web site.
Living-donor organ transplantation is not the only solution to the shortage, but for many people it is a life-saving option, and thanks to rapid advances in medical knowledge and technology, it is becoming more common. In 2004, UNOS reported more than 27,000 organ transplants, coming from a total of just over 14,000 donors. Of those donors, 7,150 were deceased and 6,990 were living organ donors.
The Coalition on Donation offers clear instructions and resources for people who want to enlist as organ donors upon their death. Please, if you consider yourself an organ donor or want to become one, visit this site soon.
The complete archives of my blog appear in the left-hand column, below some other relevant links you might find interesting or helpful.
I welcome your comments and emails.

Thank you so much for reading this. No matter what brings you here, I wish you health, peace, and courage.

Thoughts and prayers for Peter and Catherine

2006-06-06T09:26:00.000-05:00

Live liver donation is in the news in Pittsburgh, where Fox News correspondent Catherine Herridge is having surgery today to donate for her infant son, Peter. Thanks to Catherine's colleague Greta Van Susteren, host of On the Record, the story is also in the news all over the country. Greta wrote about Catherine and Peter on her own blog, GretaWire, and emails immediately began pouring in from people all over who can empathize from first-hand experience.

I joined them this morning, dropping a note to Greta to ask her to get word to Catherine about Chopped Liver, so she knows there is at least one other donor (scratch that -- two donors, right Terry?) who understand what she is going through and are willing to share and connect. Please join me in sending positive vibes and prayers to Catherine and Peter today and ongoing.

Chopped and Unchopped: The naked before and after liver pictures

2006-06-01T19:31:00.000-05:00

As promised, faithful Chopped Liver readers, below are the most naked pictures of me that you'll ever find on the Internet: before and after MRI images! (Warning -- they're graphic -- look away if you're squeamish.) The before shots were taken on November 10, 2005, nine weeks before surgery. The after shots were taken on April 27, 2006, 14 weeks after surgery.

I haven't been over these pictures with my doctor yet, but based on the amount of tissue I see with my untrained eye, it seems to me the volume is back to normal. The shape and position, meanwhile, are, well, off. The doc says that's typical: "For the first few weeks it just dumps tissue as fast as it can," he explained. "Then over the next three to twelve months, it re-shapes itself and moves back to where it belongs."

What he didn't know, of course, is that "where it belongs" is right here, on the Web. And in that case, here it is, ahead of schedule. Enjoy!

Don't blame my hepatocytes...

2006-05-16T22:21:00.000-05:00

...for the lack of posts recently. I may have been slacking, but those little suckers have been working overtime, and according to my untrained diagnosis upon reviewing my late-April MRI images, I have a full-grown liver again! The shape and placement are wildly off, but the docs say it takes about nine months for the organ to find its way back to its normal neighborhood and smoothiness.

I plan to post shortly some individual before-and-after MRI images because, well, the Web lets me. In the meantime, the more curious among you may enjoy this little gem: Northwestern Memorial Hospital has posted a video for live donors, a great introduction for people who are thinking about pursuing the option from either the donor or the recipient side. I don't believe I'm in the video. But then, I was under heavy sedation for a great deal of my time at NMH...

Hey, shouldn't you be WORKING??

2006-04-19T08:51:00.000-05:00

A shout out to any of my Carlson colleagues who are stopping by today via the link on Epicenter. I'm just kidding about the title of this post.... life's too short not to take some time to stop and smell the blogs, so to speak. I'm so glad you stopped by.

If only I had TIVO!

2006-04-13T13:05:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my pal Brett and the anonymous commentor who pointed out that the April 4 episode of the sitcom "Scrubs" was titled "My Chopped Liver," and featured, of course, a live donor liver transplant from brother to brother. Unfortunately, I missed it. I'll pay $5 to anyone who can get me a video tape!

UPDATE: I got the tape. The episode was so-so, but I have to hand it to the make-up team, who apparently know how to make an actor look genuinely jaundiced.

April showers bring May organ transplants

2006-04-13T12:48:00.000-05:00

Happy National Donate Life Month! (And you thought April was just for fools and thunderstorms.) Assuming you don't have a loved one in need of one of your extra organs right this minute, there are some other things you can do to help promote organ donation and celebrate people who have given the greatest gift of life:

Complete an organ donor card and share your wishes with your family.
Honor someone you know who gave the gift of life by submitting a tribute to the National Donor Memorial, or view the existing tributes of everyday heroes.
Make a financial contribution to UNOS or the American Liver Foundation.
Tell everyone you know about Chopped Liver -- I'm working to turn this site into a resource for potential and successful live organ donors, and want to connect with as many of them as possible.
Help put an end to misperceptions by learning the truth behind several negative organ donation myths.
Bake me brownies.

Okay, the last one won't really contribute to National Donate Life Month. But it would sure make my April!

In praise of Magic

2006-03-27T18:35:00.000-06:00

To answer the burning question: Joe is doing GREAT! He has been having weekly labs done to gather data on things like white blood cells and billyrubin (hey, isn't that the kid I went to my 5th grade winter dance with?) and for the first time since forever before the surgery, 100 percent of the measurements came back normal. He expects to try returning to work in May.

While I'm here, I'm adding this link to an inspiring story from my hometown paper, called to my attention by McNarney. A young woman dies but lives on through the five people who received her organs.

Namaste, Terry

2006-03-14T21:27:00.000-06:00

I'm on pins and needles awaiting word from Terry, who donated her liver to her sister, Dolly, yesterday at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass. Some of you may recognize Terry's name from her comments sprinkled throughout Chopped Liver; she wrote to me after discovering my blog in a search about live donor liver transplants during her own pre-donation preparations. We were strangers before; I still would not know her face if I ran right into her on the street. But through the community of the Web we have found each other, and I'm sending every positive vibe I have toward her, Dolly, and all their family.

Namaste, Terry. I bow to the divine in you.

"I honor the place in you where lies your love, your light, your truth and your beauty. I honor the place in you where... if you are in that place in you... and I am in that place in me... then there is only one of us." - Leo Buscaglia

Fois gras, anyone?

2006-03-12T22:20:00.000-06:00

Amanda and I got dolled up in fancy dresses and spent the evening as Curtis Nelson's guests tonight at Flavors of Minnesota, an annual Twin Cities fundraising event for the American Liver Foundation. A couple hundred well-dressed doctors, scientists, medical engineers, and others with liver-community credentials joined Fergie Frederiksen -- former lead singer of Toto and Hepatitis C survivor-turned-activist -- for a well-choreographed evening of fine food and paired wine. About 20 chefs from the Cities' fine restaurants each hosted a table, where they cooked tableside a unique five-course meal of their own invention. We were lucky to nab the territory of David Fhima, of Saint Paul's Fhima's, who not only charmed us with his gregarious, talkative nature and French accent, but also treated us to a divine feast -- lobster bisque muffin with buttery filet mignon, daikon salad over a smoky mushroomy broth, perfect seared halibut over purple asian sweet potato mash, and, for dessert, playful espresso milkshakes with freshly fried cinnamon donut holes.

I giggled when a cocktail waitress offered me a dollop of paté from the appetizer tray during the early reception. It's poetic, I suppose, to serve liver at a liver foundation event. But then, the bar was hosted, the raffle tickets were full champagne glasses with numbers on the base, and the five wines were free-flowing during dinner, so the hors d'oeuvres weren't the only ironic elements! Yours truly had about a glass worth of various wines, sweet nectar all, but otherwise I was a bastion of will power.

Although Hepatitis is unrelated to Joe's health condition, the issues behind tonight's events certainly hit very close to home, and it was a delight to be there among people who are generously supporting the American Liver Foundation. The group promotes liver health and disease preventions, and has done much to inform people of the 17,000 Americans currently on waiting lists for the live-saving organs they need. Curtis, himself a Hepatitis C survivor, is a tireless supporter of these same causes. For that, and for the seat at his fine table tonight, I am grateful.

Chopped what?

2006-03-07T18:15:00.000-06:00

Unbelievable, but true: As of Monday, the saga is over. I'll be back at home, back at work full-time, back in school, and back to overall life as normal. You'd have no idea any of this took place by looking at me, unless you're one of the rare people I'll bare my belly for. Yesterday, I ran half a mile, and although I had to stop because the incision hurt, I had plenty of energy and wind to keep going.

The ongoing question is, what will the long-term effects of this be on me, as a whole? Will I think differently about problems, about work, about myself? Stay tuned. It will never be like nothing ever happened.

Green eggs and heroes

2006-03-02T17:22:00.000-06:00

"We give comfort and recieve comfort, sometimes at the same time." I've been thinking a lot about that line, which I first encountered years ago on a Borealis blank-inside greeting card that I liked enough to frame for my bookshelf. Replace "comfort" with "inspiration," "hope," "faith," or "courage" and it's just as true. I'm living proof.

Among the more inspiring things that happened to me this week was a phone conversation I had with Maura, my nine-year-old parrot sitter. I had just told her father, Mark, that I didn't know how to repay the family for taking Owen for so long and giving him such good care. "Actually," Mark said, "there is something you can do." Then Maura got on the line and said her fourth-grade class is having a heroes breakfast, to which the students each invite a hero. "I'm wondering if you would come as my hero," she said. I don't think I've ever been so honored! I told her so, and she replied simply, "Well, I'm honored that you'll come." Inspiration given, inspiration gained.

Considering that just Monday I attended a Green Eggs and Ham breakfast with my niece Katherine and the rest of her first-grade class, it appears I'm becoming somewhat of a regular on the grade school event breakfast circuit. I'll save a Go-gurt for ya.

Meet my feline alter ego

2006-02-23T21:24:00.000-06:00

Another sign of Joe's continued recovery: He welcomed home two lovely, long-haired black cats today, three-year-old brothers he just adopted from a shelter. You may have already picked up about Joe that he is 1) funny; 2) a rabid, purist Seinfeld fan; and 3) eager to pay tribute to me, his trusty liver donor, in as many intensely personal, meaningful ways possible. Combinining all these characteristics, he named the cats accordingly.

Pictured here is Little Becky. He's the shyer of the two. At first glance the sweet, perfect name is an obvious homage to me, but Joe's fellow rabid, purist Seinfeld fans will immediately recognize the nod to Kramer, too, from the episode "The Little Jerry," original air date 12/19/96:

JERRY: Is that your "chicken" making all that noise?

KRAMER: Oh, Jerry loves the morning.

JERRY: Who?

KRAMER: Little Jerry Seinfeld. I named my chicken after you.

JERRY: Thanks, that's very sweet, but that is not a chicken.

KRAMER: Of course it is. I picked it out myself.

JERRY: Well, you picked out a rooster.

KRAMER: Well, that would explain Little Jerry's poor egg production.

The other cat has been named Soda Costanza. "Seven" was already taken, I guess.

Kofi Annan can't have mine

2006-02-22T22:33:00.000-06:00

"Apart from a good mind, the two most important assets for a United Nations diplomat are a good tailor and a strong liver."
- Richard Woolcott, former Australian ambassador to the U.N.

It's been a while since I've written anything of substance here, mostly because there's nothing major to tell about my journey. I have arrived in the Twin Cities for a brief stay before I continue my recovery in Washington state with my older brother and his family. Today I tried to do too much -- unpacking my car, two loads of laundry, a trip to Bed Bath & Beyond to pick up some assorted needed things, a pass of the vaccuum over all the carpet -- and now I am paying the price. I'm exhausted. So it's back to the couch tomorrow.

But I do have great news to tell you about Joe: He is doing very well, back to living on his own in Chicago, back to his signature knock-you-on-your-ass humor, back to smiling regularly. Of course, he's not back to work yet (heaven forbid he beat me to it), but that will come in time, a few more months yet.

Jam tan.

2006-02-17T13:12:00.000-06:00

Happy 33rd birthday, Helen. We miss you.

We're all brothers, humanity-wise

2006-02-17T11:04:00.000-06:00

And you all thought I was generous: A Big Lake, MN, man donated his kidney to a complete stranger, after reading an article about the need for organs. Read the story here.

More than I knew before

2006-02-13T13:51:00.000-06:00

Searching Wikipedia for relevant entries on adult living-donor liver transplantation, I came across this page from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. I wish I had found it before the surgery, and recommend it for anyone considering transplantation as donor or recipient. (Terry, check it out!) I've added it to my links list in the right column below.

A brother's true love and gratitude

2006-02-12T20:09:00.000-06:00

Joe submitted a comment to the previous entry worth bringing to the light of the front page:

Today I honor my sister the best way I know how. Please welcome Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball's newest team: the RJW Hepatocytes! The name is the most important thing about a fantasy team so this team is guaranteed to win. - Joe

For those of you who don't know, RJW are my initials, given Rebecca for Becky. And hepatocytes? See Wiki. I will keep the world posted on my team's status. Wow, I feel like Peter Hill-Wood. Rock on!

This is the power

2006-02-11T13:00:00.000-06:00

Today I have taken the first step in the evolution of Chopped Liver as an ongoing site to promote the greater good. At right, I have posted a small icon that links to Strengthen the Good, the inspiring creation of Alan Nelson, a frequent commentor on this site and one of my personal heroes. Alan, the genius behind Seat 1A (not to mention scores of corporate communication strategy success stories), created Strengthen the Good to unleash the power of bloggers to make measurable, meaningful impact on community-based social causes. In his words:

STG is the nexus of a network of bloggers committed to raising awareness for small charities around the world. Every so often this space highlights a new “micro-charity”—a small, inspiring charity, one with a real face and where $1 makes a difference—and the bloggers in the network link to that post, sending traffic, and awareness, the charity’s way.

You can read what the New York Times had to say about Strenghten the Good here, but you'll need a user ID and password.

I am joining the network, gladly. I hope you'll take a look.

Chicago - Minneapolis - Vancouver - Minneapolis

2006-02-10T12:20:00.000-06:00

It's day 22 of my stint as a post-op invalid, and for the most part all is right with the world. My good friend Katie and generous, kind-hearted Clay are coming to DM for a visit tonight, and I've made reservations for Centro, the city's newest downtown hot spot (think Zelo, only lonely). They have a strong wine list that includes the very same lovely Prosecco that Amanda and I enjoyed in the company of the owners of Casa Tua in Aruba just a few weeks ago. I may force my company to try it so I can savor it again, albeit vicariously this time around.

Some news on my comings and goings: We're heading to Chicago next Tuesday to visit a much-improved Joe for a week of un-overdone fun. On Saturday, February 25, I'll make a brief return to the Twin Cities, for just two nights before hopping a 2/27 flight to Vancouver, Washington, to visit my older brother and his family. On March 9, I fly home, where I'll stay for good! The following Monday, March 13, I'm back at the office full-time, and the week after that I return to CSOM for two B-term strategy courses. It'll be like I never left. Except I have a blog now.

I miss everyone back home terribly. Throw a snowball for me.

The Scar and the Wool: A Photo Essay

2006-02-09T13:03:00.000-06:00

By popular demand:

Three panels of the blanket, not yet sewn together

A close-up of my knitting handiwork

The surgeon's handiwork: My 4.5" badge of honor (The mark to the right of my belly button will also scar, probably -- that's where the drainage tube was.)

Unenticing options for the future of Chopped Liver

2006-02-07T15:45:00.000-06:00

So, I'm struggling to determine how I can keep Chopped Liver compelling and relevant, now that the high drama of my family's ordeal has subsided. Not much to say anymore: Joe and I are both healing, slowly, daily, just trudging through the boring course of predictable recovery. Do my readers really care if today I knit 12 inches and read two chapters of Saving Fish From Drowning? Is it newsworthy that the final hold-out bandage fell off to reveal my scar at last in full? Could you care that my abs hurt a little bit more today than yesterday, following an aggressive two-hour outing with my Mom to the mall? There is no story here, really.

So what do I do with this blog from here? I posed this question to Philadelphia-based friend and philosopher John M., who said matter of factly, "Well, you'll need to decide whether your next post is going to be about the latest episode of The Bachelor or about the State of the Union address."

Eeesh. I think I'll try to stretch the liver-related stuff out for a while.

Did you know?

2006-02-02T12:09:00.000-06:00

By some estimates, my liver could be fully regenerated by now. More likely, it's still growing its way toward original size, but scientists have determined that the average time of growth is between two and eight weeks.

Because adult liver donation is relatively new, and the only way to know how much has grown is to take expensive pictures via MRIs or CAT scans, transplant specialists don't have a lot of data to go on. To rectify that, nine leading transplant centers across the country, including NMH, are conducting a study of live liver donors. Over ten years, 1,700 adult liver donors from those centers will have an MRI scan three months after surgery, and volumes and sizes will be recorded. I have volunteered to participate, and I'll have my scan in mid April. Based on results so far (four years into the study), the NMH transplant team said about 98% of all participants had fully regrown livers at the three-month mark.

Not coincidentally, the three-month anniversary of T-day also serves as the first day I can enjoy a beer or glass of wine again. Revel in the miracle of life!

The other side of the story

2006-02-01T16:54:00.000-06:00

I'm pleased to introduce you to Josh from Georgia, a stranger to me who wrote to say he's been enjoying Chopped Liver as he embarks on his own search for the organ that will save his life -- like my brother, he suffers from PSC and may need to rely on a live donor for the transplant he needs. Josh's blog, My Hepatic Times, is his outlet for sharing his emotions, positive and negative, as he goes through this process. I encourage you to check it out if you're interested in reading what it's like to be on the other side of a story such as mine.

Although my brother and I are close, Joe is a relatively private guy. (Note, no blog!) So Josh's articulate posts have given me a valuable window to the range of emotions that people in his and Joe's positions go through. God bless the Internet. And more important, Josh and all his family.

Knit one, purl two, America!

2006-01-30T22:20:00.000-06:00

During WWII, men and women on the U.S. homefront were urged to knit sweaters and socks for soldiers to support the war effort, spurred on by American Red Cross campaigns, college sorority drives, and well-planted media stories to teach the craft.

In support of my own little war against boredom, I learned to knit just before the transplant surgery. My plan was to knit a warm, cozy, fluffy blanket during my convalescence, as a way to both pass the time and create a lasting commemorative keepsake that I could pass on to my kids--or even better, to Joe's--someday.

With the help and advice of patient Michelle H. and the equally patient staff at the Yarn Cafe, I set myself up with all the supplies I'd need for my project. Baby alpaca wool in red with some pink and pale green undertones. I'm happy to say tonight that it's coming along swimmingly! Of the six six-foot-long panels, two are done!

So no, it's not Operations Management homework, or the latest and greatest corporate travel proposal for Global Conglomerates R Us, but I'm contributing! Take that, al-Zawahiri!

Top ten things that seemed so @#$% easy just 10 days ago

2006-01-29T16:22:00.000-06:00

10. Carrying a pillow from the bedroom to the living room.
9. Blowdrying my hair.
8. Standing in line for groceries.
7. Riding in a car for several hours.
6. Turning over from one side to the other.
5. Yawning.
4. Bowel movements.
3. Lifting my arms over my head.
2. Putting socks on.
and....
1. Imagining how I might spend three idle weeks in Iowa at my parents' house without going certifiably insane!

Help! Visitors welcome!
:)

Loaded up and truckin'

2006-01-28T18:45:00.000-06:00

The Chinese New Year celebration fireworks just finished a couple of blocks away on Illinois (we could hear them clearly and see them reflected in the windows of a building from Joe's 35th floor southern panoramic windows). In his tiny apartment, we're having a celebration of our own, of sorts: Mom and I are headed home to Des Moines tomorrow. Joe is having a strong day, and I've ranked my pain at a "1" on a scale of 1 to 10 for the first time since the surgery. So it's a quiet dinner in, followed by some calm evening family time.

Key healing landmark: I put my belly button ring back in today.

Left meets right in happy liver section reunion

2006-01-27T20:01:00.000-06:00

Joe insisted we take some photos on his new digital camera once we were both feeling up to it. I offer the happy results: Left and right, together again! (I'll spare you the one of our bellies.)

Chicago - Des Moines - Minneapolis

2006-01-26T20:09:00.000-06:00

A quick note on my whereabouts and contact info for the next few weeks.

I'll be in Chicago until Saturday at the earliest. Use my email and cell phone to contact me, or leave comments. (Don't have my cell? Email me for it.)

Mom and I will leave for Des Moines only once Joe is officially over this bad pain hump and the itching is totally gone. I will send my home address via the email tree in advance of leaving. Not on the email tree? Let me know and I'll add you.

ETA in Minneapolis: Monday, February 20.

Its me - alive and one-lobed!

2006-01-26T19:03:00.000-06:00

The warmest of all possible greetings, everyone! After seven days of some relatively severe "incisional discomfort" (who I promise you'll get to meet a little more formally below) and almost no internet access or logging energy to speak of, I am thrilled to be back. I returned to Chopped Liver by reading Sharon and Dan's updates and all your comments, had a good happy cry, and then dove straight to the posting page to submit the first of many entries describing our recovery so far and yet to come.

First, the most important bit: Joe and I are going to be great! We are over the worst of this. The surgery did work; my liver is functioning in him (and managing just fine in me). In time, we'll look back on this miracle fondly as we frolic as a family in proverbial fields of flowers and wafting dandelion seeds, or, less metaphorically, as we get back to our regular lives and stop lying around in fetal positions.

But second, the reality of today: I haven't pooped in five days. This is not comfortable. Joe was readmitted to the hospital yesterday for the same reason, except his uncooperative bowels were causing unbearable searing pain, not just irritating cramps. He was released again today but is still in pain. These lovely TMI facts are a few of many I could share to illustrate that we are certainly on a recovery roller coaster. We have been through -- and will continue to go through -- a series of frustrating and sometimes disheartening ups and downs.

Yet third, the beauty of our reality: We are going to be okay, and we can handle a roller coaster. Any of my short-term self-pity can be chalked up to a probably over-optimistic impression of what the first two post-op weeks would feel like. And while Joe's pain is more severe, it's overwhelmed (most of the time) by joy over the progress he's already made and the promise of more to come.

And now, on to bloggy stuff.

Meet my incisional discomfort
Straight up, its name is "Pain," people. But like Sharon reported, my scar itself is teeny. Think of this guy at left, at a microscopic level, repeated like falling Matrix 1s and 0s in a pattern that, once backed out to the perspective of the human eye, looks like a faint red line four inches long by 1 millimeter wide. There are also two tiny cuts inside my belly button. (Get THIS: Dr. Koffran tried a first-time ever technique he'd been considering might work to reduce scarring... he did all the actual cutting through scopes inserted through my belly button, and then used the incision only to pull the section he needed out of me!) But fear not -- the navel ring gets to stay! Alex, eat your heart out, tee hee.

Mmmmm, drugs...
So if you've been wondering what sort of drug cocktails a girl gets to enjoy after liver resection -- morphine? sedatives? medicinal marijuana? -- let me end your suspense. I get Tylenol. Extra Strength, of course. Oh, yes, and laxatives. I am exaggerating slightly, because I did leave the hospital with prescription-only Tylenol 3 (laced with codeine). But the docs suspect it's the culprit behind the constipation, so I'm trying to grin and bear it with OTC remedies.

A couple of personal notes
Ingrid: Send any Redbook editorial contacts you might have.
ISU people: Does anyone know John Loecke's contact info in NYC?
Terry in Mississippi: Keep me posted! I'm excited for you and so thrilled to be able to give you good news to serve as hope!
CSOM Strat Mgmt group: Your flowers made my day!
CWT sales, CWT marketing: Your flowers made two of my other days!

The gift of life, continued
Today at my first post-op check-up, I met with a woman who is getting worked up to see if she can donate to her 21-year-old daughter Michelle, a perfectly healthy college-bound woman who suddenly experienced inexplicable liver failure, which will be fatal if she doesn't receive a transplant soon. Her condition merits her a Status I ranking on the UNOS donation list, meaning that as soon as any cadaver liver that matches her blood type becomes available anywhere in the U.S., it's hers for the taking. But she's been on the list for more than a week and a half, significantly longer than the typical two- to three-day wait for Status Is, and she's hovering in a life-threatinging situation. The family had to try the live donation route, so they can take that step if no organ materializes in the next few days. I bring this up for two reasons:

First, if you have prayers left to give, put one in for Michelle and her family.
And second, with this encounter I officially began the second most important part of my healing process. I got to see my gift pay off in a new and unexpected way, as I was able to listen to this sad mother's story, understand her fears, offer any insight she might want to receive on the procedure, and just tell her I understand. My God, I am looking forward to a lifetime of that sort of healing.

That's it for now. Shorter posts will continue now that I'm back online. I miss you all!

Home from the Hospital!

2006-01-23T16:49:00.000-06:00

(Posted on behalf on Becky by Joe's friend, Dan)

We are happy to report that both Becky and Joe are home from the hospital and showing steady signs of improvement. Their dad said today that Becky has shown "100% improvement from yesterday," so we're all glad to hear that news, of course.

Becky is now staying with her mom at a hotel in Chicago that was arranged by the hospital, while returning for daily exams and check-ups. Joe and dad are holding up the fort back at Joe's place.

I'm sure Becky will be up to blogging in the near future, so hopefully you'll be able to get her first-hand account here shortly. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. They really do make a difference.

Hanging in there

2006-01-21T20:23:00.000-06:00

(This post by Sharon, Joe's friend in Chicago)

Becky and Joe are still hanging in there. Becky was expected to be out of the hospital yesterday but she's still struggling a bit so she will be there until at least tomorrow (Sunday). She doesn't feel up to the phone or the computer but knows that everyone is pulling for her and she'll be in touch when she gets out of the hospital. They have arranged a room for her in a Residence Inn near Northwestern and her mom will stay with her there while she remains in Chicago. She'll have to come back to the hospital for tests and things - they have a shuttle so it should be pretty convenient and comfortable for both Becky and her mom.

Joe was sleeping when we visited today but according to his parents, he is improving slowly. He is more comfortable walking than Becky and I'm told he can make it several laps around the floor. Becky joined him for half a lap today and does half laps on her own a few more times a day. Exciting stuff.

There is talk of Joe getting out of the hospital tomorrow as well, but I think he has a few benchmarks to hit before he is released. Only time will tell. He will head back to his apartment under the care of his dad.

Hopefully tomorrow will bring a little more comfort to both of them. They're just taking it a day at a time.

So far so great

2006-01-19T20:43:00.000-06:00

(This post happily brought to you by Sharon, Joe's friend in Chicago, at the request of Becky who cannot get to a computer.)

Becky and Joe are both doing great! They are in rooms 1106 and 1108 (2 doors down from each other) and being well taken care of. As I know the phone tree was put into effect, everyone should know now that both surgeries went extremely well. Becky was in and out according to plan and Joe's couldn't have gone more smoothly. It was expected to last 10-11 hours and he was out in 6. They also expected him to be sedated overnight, but he was brought to consciousness last night and his new liver was already 'cleaning him out' according to his doctors.

Upon visiting tonight, Becky was resting and had just finished talking to both of her nieces on her brother's cell phone. They say the second day is the worst and Becky would agree, but she was in very good spirits and could carry conversations without too much strain. She got out of intensive care this morning and is recovering exactly according to plan - even getting up to go to the bathroom, although that did cause some nausea. She wants to make sure her family leaves the hospital and wants her brother to get to see some of Chicago so she's still thinking of others ahead of herself. She and Joe haven't spent much time together, although they did wheel them next to each other for a wave at some point. Of course, they both ask everyone about the other and his/her progress.

Joe is already losing some of his jaundice and his color will recover slowly over the next week or two. He is still incredibly itchy but he can't scratch comfortably so that's annoying. Moving and straining his torso is difficult and painful because of his massive scar.

So here's what you're all really waiting for: The Scar Report
Joe wins by a landslide. Becky has an incision a few inches long, everyone is surprised that it is so small. Joe, on the other hand, has a scar that that could be mistaken for the San Andreas fault. It is like an upside-down "Y" and stretches from his sternum to each of his hips. It is held together by staples whereas Becky has a nice clean suture. It is going to be impressive to say the least.

Becky hopes to get to a computer tomorrow if she can get out of bed easier. She is supposed to be out of the hospital on Saturday, give or take a day so I'm sure she'll be back in touch. Keep them in your thoughts, as I know you all are, but know that their spirits are high and they are recovering nicely. It's a long road to full recovery, but given what they've been through, they're doing just fine.

Sharon

State of mind, the night before

2006-01-17T22:43:00.000-06:00

My phone has been ringing throughout the evening with your well wishes, and I'm brimming with joy about how lucky I feel tonight to have all of you in my life. I'm struggling for words to describe my state of mind right now, but since so many have asked, I'll at least try...

First, I have my whole immediate family here (David got into Chicago tonight), and once we all were in a room together at Joe's apartment, I immediately got emotional. Then, Mom and Dad presented us some gifts--matching commemorative "Hugs" statues for Joe and me, and a gorgeous diamond pendant on a white gold chain for me. I dare you to accept that from your parents, who are so near tears they can hardly speak the words as they hand you the box, and not cry!

The most surprising moment of the night for me came just as we returned to Joe's apartment after picking David up at the airport. All Joe's Chicago-based friends were there, and were heading out the door. His friends Rishi and Greg gave me hugs, and one of them said, "Thank you, thank you for what you are doing for our friend." I lost it. I have thought so much about the fact that I am doing this to save a brother's life, a son's, an uncle's. I have thought about the fact that my actions have inspired and touched other people, friends and strangers. But until that moment, I hadn't really thought about this gift from Joe's perspective, and from the perspective of his fabulous and loving community full of people who care about him just like you all care about me. To them, I was not a hero so much for doing this, but for doing it for their friend, who they love. It blew me away. That gives me a tremendous surge of pride and peace as I pack up to leave for the hospital tomorrow.

Which brings me to my current state of mind. I am not scared, honestly, not a bit. I'm calm, and will probably even sleep pretty well. I hope I don't die or anything (the chances are a fraction of a percent, and really not much more than with an appendectomy or other minor surgery), and sure, I've had to face mortality today a little more than most 32-year-olds might in a given day. But overall, I feel calm. Ready. Eager. And above all, truly blessed. Give yourselves all a pat on the back.

Good night, Chopped Liver fans. Talk to you on the other side of the transplant!

T-Day details

2006-01-17T22:35:00.000-06:00

Staying informed: My mom will call Michelle H. at CWT and McNarney on his cell phone as soon as there's news to report on the success of the surgery. Michelle, in turn, will email everyone on my Chopped Liver email list, and McNarney will post on his blog.

Contacting us: The surgery is at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in the Feinberg Pavilion building. I'll have no contact room-specific details until I'm moved on Thursday to a recovery room. Once I'm there, we'll get that information to you via the phone/email tree.

Chopped Liver posts: The hospital has free computer terminals with Internet access, so as soon as I'm up and around on Thursday, my incisional discomfort and I will hop to the keyboard and send you an update.

All is right with the world

2006-01-17T11:03:00.000-06:00

Our surgeon, Dr. Koffran, could have begun his explanation in any number of ways, but he chose to start by explaining the "choreography of the day," drawing two squares on the white board to represent the adjoining rooms Joe and I will occupy tomorrow. "They are rooms 32 and 33," he said, "not that you need to know that...."

I almost fell over. He didn't understand why my mom and I broke out in laughter. Room 33 indeed. All is right with the world.

We were at the hospital for about six hours yesterday. I had my first EKG, a chest x-ray, and more blood tests, and for our efforts Joe and I were each rewarded with a plastic-coated, bar-coded bracelet that we'll wear until this ordeal is over. But all of that was gravy; the meat of the day was our meeting with the surgeons. Dr. Koffran is a handsome guy in his late 30's, confident in that way only talented surgeons can be. (Torgie, he's no Patrick Dempsey, though.) He's left-handed, and the the tips of the last two fingers on that hand are missing down to the closest knuckle--yet his strength, he told us, is in pediatric transplants, and he is relied upon to handle the smallest of ducts, veins, and arteries in cases like ours. Interesting. This will be his third live-donor adult liver transplant of 2006. The NMH Kovlar Transplant Unit is moving and shaking.

He answered all our questions patiently, as though the only place he needed to be all day was right there, with us. Pain came up, but he never uttered the word itself. "You will, of course, have some incisional discomfort for a while." With that, I laughed out loud for the second time that morning.

So, back to the choreography: My operation begins at 7:30, and should end by 10:30. Joe's starts at about 9, and should end sometime in the afternoon. I'll be in the ICU until Thursday morning, then transferred to recovery. Everyone is optimistic. Just one day left. Stay tuned! (Hospital contact info will be posted tomorrow.)

Wow and amaze your friends

2006-01-15T10:45:00.000-06:00

While we wait for the big day, I leave you with some trivia tidbits sure to increase your social status at cocktail parties.

* The liver is the body's largest solid organ and largest gland.
* It weighs about 3.5 pounds.
* It's approximately 8" x 6.5" x 4.5", for a total of 234 cubic inches -- equivalent to just over a gallon.
* On this day in 1870, the Democratic donkey made its debut, in a Harper's Weekly cartoon. (Hey, even I need to get out of liver mode every now and then.)

Heading South

2006-01-14T10:30:00.000-06:00

It's leaving day... The car is packed, the party is over, and most of you have seen me for the last time as an original-livered human being. I feel great, powerful, hopeful, and full of courage, thanks absolutely to all of you.

I especially want to thank everyone who stopped by Thursday. There were so many of you, and from so many different pockets of my life, that I couldn't spend as much time with any one of you as I wanted to, and I apologize if anyone felt slighted! But judging from the energy and noise coming from our half of the bar, I'd say fun was had. Your cards and gifts were terrific, too. I'm loaded with activities to keep me busy.... chick books, Sudoku puzzles, magazines, and two books--The World is Flat and Freakonomics--that I swear I will read when I have time, and now, well, I have plenty of time (thanks, Sandra, for bankrolling those).

So I'm off! I'll post again before the surgery, which is Wednesday.

A break from the Becky-related

2006-01-10T21:39:00.000-06:00

Need a diversion? Check out Triumph at a Bon Jovi concert in Jersey. (Not safe for work. Unless, maybe, you're Mindy.) Thanks for the link go to Alan, whose fascinating, mature blog, Seat 1A, is refreshingly less self-absorbed than mine. :)

The T-Day timeline

2006-01-09T19:11:00.000-06:00

One week from today the action begins! I will post hospital contact information here once we have it next week. Here's a quick overview of the upcoming schedule of events, beginning three days from now:

Thursday: The send off party (see below).
Friday: I drop off Owen at the parrot-sitters, pack, and clean out perishables from the fridge. This will take hours. I'm not sure how one packs for liver removal.
Saturday: I drive to Des Moines.
Sunday: Joe, Mom, Dad, and I drive to Chicago.
Monday: At 8 a.m., Joe and I arrive at NMH for an outpatient day of pre-op festivities, including chest X-rays, blood work, and a long-awaited visit with our surgeons.
Tuesday: We wait, with nothing to do and nowhere to be. I suspect Scrabble will be involved. (100 bonus points for anyone who spells "hepatic.")
Wednesday, 6 a.m.: Joe and I check into NMH.
Wednesday, 10 a.m.: By now, we should both be in surgery. Joe's will last about 10 hours, and mine only six.
Wednesday, late evening.: My mom calls the main phone tree branches to send out the "all's well" news. Phone tree efficiency ensues.
Thursday: I wheel my doped-up self to a computer terminal to post a celebratory, first-hand account of the joy I'm feeling. Or maybe I just stay in bed, gaze upon all my pretty flowers and cards, and enjoy some calm, IV-induced dreams for a while.
Saturday, 1/21: I'm discharged, give or take a day, and I move to my brother's downtown Chicago apartment where my parents await.
Wednesday, 1/25: Joe is discharged, give or take a day or two, and joins us at his apartment.
Sometime thereafter: I return to Des Moines for some R&R under the loving care of my awesome Mom.
Sometime after that: I return to Minneapolis for more of the same, under the loving care of some terrific friends.
March 13: Back to work. Chopped what? Honestly, I really don't recall....

Thanks to everyone for your kind words, offers to help, prayers, and interest in our story. You are making this possible.

When's the party?

2006-01-04T16:35:00.000-06:00

So, you gigantic community of cool friends (co-workers, fellow MBA'ers, mentors, crushes, soccer buddies, and more): Many of you have asked whether anyone is hosting a bash to send me off next week, and some of you have even offered to do the planning. Yea, and thanks! Of course there's a party! But since these last few days are so crowded, I'd really like to have just one event and invite everyone, rather than trying to squeeze in several mini-parties with my disparate groups of friends.

Here's the word:
Thursday, January 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 at McCoy's Pub in Saint Louis Park.
I'll be there the whole time, and hope you'll each stop by whenever you can for as long as you can. My thanks to Heidi for helping with some of the legwork.

Your anatomy.... in TRANS-VISION!

2006-01-03T18:49:00.000-06:00

The ever-delightful Mary S. brought me a one-of-a-kind treat from her bookshelf today: A thin, stapled paperback Better Homes & Gardens Family Medical Guide publication, undated but probably from the 1950s, featuring six transparent full-color plates -- in TRANS-VISION!* -- of the human torso. If you've been wondering where your liver is, check out plate IV, pictured here. (Hm, looks like the painter of Prometheus shot a little low.) And note that Joe gets a significantly bigger piece. That's brothers for you.

There's a tiny green gallbladder peeking out from under Joe's half. That will go away entirely, into the hospital garbage bin.

*TRANS-VISION, copyright Milprint Inc., Milwaukee Wisconsin. I looked them up... today they print foil candy bar wrappers.

Welcome to Year 33!

2006-01-01T15:29:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year! Many of you know that since 1995 I have named each new year as it begins, marking the occasion with an essay about where I currently stand and what I think is in store for the 365 days ahead. Yesterday, the Year of the Vertical Climb ended, and a very important year began. I'm struggling with this year's essay, because unlike every other year, 2006 has had its name set in stone since I began the project, and it's one that I have eagerly anticipated for ages. It's the only year that I've ever named in advance, and it chose me, not the other way around. It is Year 33: The year I turn 33. The number 33 has been signaling to me that 2006 would be momentous for as long as I can remember taking the time to notice it. Is it coincidence, then, that I begin Year 33 with such a monumental and life-altering act as this liver donation? I guarantee, I had no idea it would be a life-giving surgery. But I knew it would be something. It is my good fortune that the "something" is so stunningly beautiful.

The only thing to remain, then is to give Year 33 a subtitle, and I've chosen something that feels strong and apropos. Welcome, friends, to Year 33, the Year of the Greatest Gift. Take the title as liberally and widely as your spirit lets you. I do.

And thank you all for your on going support!

What I have in common with the depths of the Bradford freezer

2005-12-29T16:00:00.000-06:00

Many of you have passed along goodies about livers -- New Yorker cartoons, quirky news tidbits from wire services, links to blogs and other Web sites -- and they've all been good for a smile if not a giggle. But nothing yet has matched a hilarious email that Colleen recently sent me. She warned that rogue organ-for-money harvesters might catch wind of my donation and try to buy my liver out from under Joe. To help me fend off such scoundrels, she sent a photo of an ancient item her sister dug out from the depths of the Brad-Z Ranch freezer. "Note that this liver is clearly marked 'Not for Sale.' Should you do something similar?" Well done, Colleen. I've scrawled this on my belly in black Sharpie.

Our next big holiday: T-Day

2005-12-27T17:30:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your holiday was abundant and joyful!

T-Day is exactly three weeks from tomorrow, a stretch of time that feels endless to my family. Now that my trip and Christmas are over, however, to me the day feels especially close considering the billion things I need to get done in the meantime. A quick update:

Randall, my viral bronchitis: He's swimming with the fishes, so to speak. I left him somewhere in the Caribbean. Feel great now.

Joe: Hanging in there. We had a good time at Christmas together, solving an incomprehensibly difficult jigsaw puzzle and unwrapping gifts and all.

Aruba: Blissful. I recommend the Radisson property to anyone, but not necessarily the island itself -- there's not much nightlife or topography to explore beyond the beach. Bermuda is better. A special shout-out to Viktor, Serge, Kit and Torrey, wherever you are!

Meet my viral bronchitis

2005-12-15T16:34:00.000-06:00

Say hi to Randall. Judging by the way my chest feels, he has achieved slimy dominance over about the bottom fourth of my lungs. Typically, the doctor would have diagnosed a virus and flung me from his office with a handshake, but it's funny how a little impending liver donation can attract attention. Instead, after careful discussion about timing and risks, he said that Randall is harmless as far as the surgery is concerned, and that he should probably go away on his own within one week. If that doesn't happen, he said, Randall will probably have developed into a bacterial bronchitis infection, which could impact the surgery. So he sent me off with a scrip for Zithro to take only if the coughing gets worse. And I got a little lecture in why it's a good idea to get the flu shot and use Purell. In any case, there should be no cause for concern. I bested Larry; I can handle this guy too.

Karma strikes again

2005-12-14T22:47:00.000-06:00

Hm, no sooner did I brag about my fancy trip when my nasty cold took a turn for the worse. This truly is starting to seem like someone's watching. I'm visiting the doc tomorrow because I have a tendency to pick up bronchitis now and then. Interesting dynamic... I'm not sure I can take antibiotics now, given that we're within a month from the transplant date. One more question to add to my list for the team.

Also, I've tried finding a Twin Cities-based transplant support group, in the hopes that I might get connected with a local who has donated his or her liver -- someone to lean on for assurances and empathy, and someone to pepper with personal questions (staples or stitches?). Anyone ever heard of one? If so, email me or leave a comment. I'm sure I'll connect with someone eventually, if not in the T.C.