Denise - Firefighter's Liver Resection
ADPKD with severe PLD. A real firefighter, a liver resection at the Mayo Clinic.
I'm home following my liver resection on September 22, 2006 by Dr Nagorney at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota USA. He removed 70% of the left side of my liver,removed my gallbladder, repaired my umbilical hernia and fenestrated several large cysts on the right.
I was at the Mayo Clinic for 8 days after the surgery, and my total recovery time was about a month. The first couple of weeks I didn't do much of anything physical. Not because of pain, but I would tire very easily (from the blood loss, I assume), and I 'protected' my belly with a thin, squishy pillow. I was weighed before and after surgery, and there was a 25 pound difference! Yikes. Dr Nagorney had taken out 25 pounds of liver, cysts and fluid, and so I felt deflated (happily!) and I sort of felt like my remaining organs were just dangling in there. So the pillow added support and comfort.
I was released on the 8th day after surgery, stayed in a Rochester hotel for one night, then drove 4 hours home (not a bad commute at all). After about 4 - 5 weeks or so, I started doing small things - a little bit of laundry, cooking, small walks. I'd get tired after doing something physical, and so I'd just rest for an hour or so, then my energy would be back. I think I took pain medication for about a week after I got home. Prior to the surgery (and before my liver got so big), I was a very active and healthy person, and I worked a physically demanding job. I also happen to have a great immune system, as I rarely get colds, etc.
My liver drainage tubes were removed on the 7th day of my hospital stay, but unfortunately my body wasn't done producing fluid. About a month later, I had gone back to the Mayo Clinic to have 3.3 liters of fluid removed via paracentesis (about 7 pounds!) After that, my body seemed to manage any fluid on its own.
Approximately 3 months after surgery, they removed the knot from the sutures that were put in to close me up. The knot was located just under my breastbone, and the tails of it were 'poking' just beneath my skin. After that, a small incisional hernia developed - about 2 inches wide - again, just under my breastbone were they had removed the suture. Nothing major to worry about, but it did sort of concern me and I thought I would take care of it one day. Well, I got my opportunity when I had a hysterectomy February of 2009. Still under anesthesia from the hysterectomy, a second doctor came in and put in a piece of mesh to repair the hernia. My liver had grown back (pre cyst size) within about a month after the surgery. Gravity made it grow down, so I do need to inform other medical professionals, like when I had my hysterectomy. I have one cyst (I think it's just one) that bothers me sometimes, but it is very fleeting pain and I've never had to take any meds for it. That's it for complications - and I really don't even consider them complications, because to me they were minimal (especially compared to others). Actually, under the circumstances, I feel great! I'm not taking pain pills, and it really only hurts if I cough or laugh too hard! These symptoms occurred just during the first month following my liver resection surgery. Otherwise, I'm doing very well and looking forward to a great summer.
I can't say enough good things about the whole experience. Dr Nagorney, Dr Torres, all of the Mayo staff and facilities were phenomenal. It took me almost a year to decide to go ahead with the operation, and I have no regrets. In the past year I've educated myself and others (my HMO insurance) about symptomatic PLD and the options available. It was worth it. Empower yourselves with knowledge to get the best care possible- it can work! I know that not everybody is a candidate for this surgery, and I don't know what I would do if I didn't qualify. My heart goes out to those of you that aren't able to have this surgery. I also sympathize with those of you that did have complications. I feel extremely fortunate/lucky?! A year after the surgery, I took a motorcycle ride from Wisconsin to Colorado, and had a great time! I'm also enjoying riding and showing my Tennessee Walking horse, Dollar. My surgery experience was fantastic! I don't have any firefighting pictures of me - How about this one with me and my horse?
