Richard's Story
I
Richard Fugett
Richard Fugett
Liver Transplant Recipient
3/09/2021
Back in 2013 I had a coloscopy and was told I had fatty liver disease. I headed down to U.C. to be evaluated. After initial evaluation by the Liver team no drastic action was taken. I was introduced to Dr. Anwar and was in his wonderful/capable hands for the next a 8 years. After a years of banding surgery's amd such, all was seemingly going well until the fall of 2020. My liver had taken a turn for the worse and I was put on the transplant list. Through a few tests and such it was discovered that I not only had cancer in my liver, but also heart blockages. On top of all that Covid had arrived and I also developed a case of shingles! ( the fall/winter of 2020 wasn't a fun time for me needless to say ) Thank goodness i had wonderful Drs. at U.C. to get me through all my problems. Dr. Ram Chadalavada for my cancer and Dr. Ahmad to handle my heart. I was Truly blessed! After getting all of that taken care of it was time to get back to the transplant list. It didn't take long before i "got the call" On March 9th 2021 my new journey had begun. Once again, i was in great hands with Dr. Shah and despite the covid quarantine and some crazy nights after surgery, I was able to make it through, and I'm living my new life to the fullest thanks to my donor and donor family ( who i hope to meet someday ) and the wonderful Drs. Nurses, and all the Staff and U.C.
Tracy's Story
My name is Tracy Keating. I was diagnosed with a Fatty Liver in the 1980’s. Back then, I was not informed of the possible dangers that could develop over time, so I ignored it. In 2006, I was 50 years old, and completed my first Sprint Triathlon. I completed 2 more the following years. I thought I was in pretty good shape and health. Then one day in early 2015, I had developed a huge abdomen. I looked 9 month pregnant. I felt OK, just was enormous overnight.
My sister took me to her PCP, who immediately sent me to a GI the next day. The day after that, I had a paracentesis (draining). The first of many. I still felt fine and was ignoring (denial) the symptoms, until I received a call from the GI doctor. He informed me that I had 2 years left to live. THUD!!! OK, so I figured it might be serious now. The doctor talked about “transplant”. I was still trying to figure out how to take off work with my PTO and get back without telling anyone. Boy was I in for a surprise.
I was listed by March of 2015 for a liver transplant. It was very difficult for me to tell anyone. I had two boys. Their father had already passed away and I was all they had at home. How do you tell your children that they might lose you too? I felt inferior. I felt like I let my children down. I felt broken! Then, to make matters worse, I remained listed for 1,030 days. Almost 3 years.
Each day, I knew that I was much closer to this accelerated death. Each day, praying the phone will ring. I even taped it to my hand at night in case it would ring, so that I could find it to answer it. I certainly didn’t want to miss my opportunity. At this time in my life, I was living alone. Both boys had moved, one to college and the other graduated and lived out of town. Then HE hit (Hepatic Encephalitis). My body was deteriorating daily and new problems seemed to pop up daily. Now, HE was taking my mind.