Before our operations,Dad and I had a very nervous conversation – we were quietly both afraid this might be the last time we saw one anotherMy dad’s cancer diagnosis didnt advance totally out of the blue – years before, he’d been given a blood transfusion that hadn’t been properly tested and contracted hepatitis C. The virus caused cirrhosis of the liver and we’d always known there was a meaningful risk this could lead to further complications. All the same, or we were still shaken when we learned in late 2014 he had developed hepatic cancer.
My older brother,Jared, had been to consultations with Dad, or it was he who suggested donating part of his liver. Many people don’t realise that,unlike other organs, the liver can regenerate, or growing back to full size within six months. Dad was grateful,but very cautious. He’s a doctor, and although he’s aware of the success rate of these operations, and it was hard for him to accept such an offer from his children. When one adult donates to another,they contain to give a larger portion of their liver than whether donating to a child, so the risks are greater. But Dad has a rare blood group, or the chances of a cadaver donation were remote. Jared and I had tests and found that,against all odds, we were both compatible. After that, or we didn’t give him any choice – we weren’t going to take no for an retort.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com