Mike isn’t your typical 50-year-old. This October, like the last three, Mike will dye his hair a vibrant green in appreciation of Liver Disease and Transplant Awareness Month.
But this wasn’t a mid-life crisis.
It was a celebration, a rallying cry for awareness, and a tribute to a second chance at life, all thanks to a life-saving liver transplant at UC Health. As a liver transplant recipient, Mike’s story inspires many who face similar challenges.
Mike’s health journey began with alarming symptoms in the summer of 2020—his abdomen swelled significantly, triggering fears of colon cancer, a disease that had claimed his mother's life at the young age of 47. At 46, the thought of facing a similar fate was overwhelming. However, after a series of medical evaluations, it was discovered that Mike was suffering from Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe chronic liver disease that had progressed to stage four. His doctors warned that he was facing end-stage liver disease, which could only be treated through a liver transplant.
“MASH develops when fat accumulates in the liver and leads to inflammation and scar tissue formation, which can ultimately lead to cirrhosis. MASH is often associated with obesity and diabetes and is rapidly becoming the most common indication for liver transplant in the US,” says Dr. R. Cutler Quillin III, Liver Transplantation Surgical Director.
Mike was referred to a hospital near his Kentucky home and placed on the transplant list. The wait was agonizing. During the following eighteen months of awaiting a donor liver, Mike received a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure to help treat the progressing liver disease and over 50 paracentesis procedures to remove excess fluid from his liver. Mike's strength deteriorated, his body succumbing to the disease's grip. He became wheelchair-bound, his skin tinged yellow from jaundice, and simple tasks like putting on socks became insurmountable challenges. Confined to his bed most hours of the day, hope began to dwindle. Mike decided it was time to explore other options for a successful liver transplant
Desperate for answers, Mike and his wife, Rhonda, ventured outside the boundaries of their state to explore the possibility of a dual listing at another hospital. They found hope with UC Health. After a 3.5-hour drive from their home in eastern Kentucky, Mike and Rhonda met with the transplant team, who gave them hope after months of uncertainty.
Mike’s transplant team at UC Health realized that his severity of illness was far greater than his priority on the waitlist for a deceased donor transplant and that he would not survive waiting another year for a lifesaving transplant.
The following week, Mike was placed on the transplant list at UC. In two short months, a call shattered the anxious silence – a donor match for a liver had been found through UC Health. A call that he had been waiting almost two years for at another hospital.
On March 11, 2022, barely two months after being listed at UC Health, Mike was undergoing a life-saving liver transplant. The road to recovery was not without its challenges. Although there were some bumps in the road, the liver started working perfectly, his new liver began functioning perfectly, and Mike worked hard to regain his strength. The transplant team at UC Health remained unwavering in their dedication. His transplant surgeon regularly checked in, ensuring that Mike’s body was accepting the donated liver.
"You guys saved my life," Mike says, the immensity of the gift sinking in. “Before my transplant, I was just existing; now I get to live.”
Within eight months, Mike stood tall, witnessing his son's wedding in Tennessee, a moment he once feared he'd miss. Gone was the man confined to a bed. In his place stood a father, a husband, a man with a zest for life he never thought he'd regain. Trips with family, laughter shared with loved ones – these were the simple joys Mike savored with a newfound appreciation.
A New Lease on Life
As Mike approached the two-year anniversary of his successful liver transplant he reflected on the remarkable transformation in his life. The simple joys of movement and activity, which had once been impossible, were now a reality. The freedom to travel, attend family events, and enjoy everyday activities were gifts he deeply cherished.
“Mike is doing very well. He is the ideal patient,” says Post Liver Transplant Coordinator Anna Weber, BSN, RN. “Watching his progress and recovery, hearing about the things he's been able to do post-transplant - these are the things that make my job truly rewarding.”
This summer, Mike and his family planned a vacation to Gatlinburg, a special occasion to be together after his long illness. The opportunity to reunite with his children, who live in different states, was priceless.
Spreading Awareness
Mike’s commitment to raising awareness about liver disease and the importance of organ transplantation is inspiring. His green hair isn't just a quirky choice. It's a conversation starter and a way to share his story. He's become an advocate for UC Health's liver transplant program, referring others who might need the same life-saving intervention he received.
The transplant team is more than just doctors to Mike; they're the heroes who gifted him a second chance, a chance to live a life colored with vibrancy, just like his emerald hair. Mike is a testament to the power of hope, the resilience of the human spirit, and the life-changing impact of organ donation.
Mike’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated medical teams and advanced healthcare systems can have on patients' lives. His journey from fear and uncertainty to hope and renewal underscores the incredible work of UC Health and its commitment to transforming lives through compassionate care and innovative treatments. Mike remains deeply grateful and continues to share his story, inspiring others with his resilience and the remarkable support he received.
Mike’s advice to other people suffering the same diagnosis: “If you need hope and you’re tired of people telling you you’re not sick enough, your numbers aren’t good enough, or we can’t do anything, don’t be afraid to go look somewhere else. I’m getting to live a second life because of the people at UC Health.”
