August 19, 2006 at 12:06 am (Family)
Every August we go to a Medieval recreation camping event known as Pennsic. This year was no exception, however we went for a much shorter time than usual and we took it easy, especially Scott! This picture was taken at Pennsic this year. In the picture are Scott (Gallen), and Martha (Rheannon), with daughters Shannon, (”The TEENAGER!” ;-) )and Erin (Tonks).
August 18, 2006 at 9:23 pm (upcoming transplant)
Since this disease tends to fool blood tests, Scott is not considered “sick enough” to get a cadaveric liver at this time. (A “cadaveric liver” comes from someone who is considered brain dead and either them or their loved ones has decided to donated their organs.) When his numbers do get worse, then very likely he will deteriorate too quickly to get a cadaveric liver in time.
So currently we are pursuing a living donor liver transplant. Several folks, including Scott’s cousin Marcus offered to donate part of their liver to Scott. We recently found out that Marcus had been through most of the testing and the surgery is scheduled for Aug 30, 2006!
In the surgery, about 60% of Marcus’s liver will be removed and placed in Scott’s abdomen. Within weeks, the liver will grow back to larger than it’s orginial size in both men!!
Remember the legend of Prometheus? He stole fire from the Gods and as a punishment he was tied to rock and every day a crow comes and pecks out his liver, and every night it grows back. There is something to that legend - because the liver can grow back!!
Martha
August 18, 2006 at 8:18 pm (Scott's disease)
Scott Hull has a rare disease called PSC (very long name that won’t mean much unless you are a doctor). Basically, over time the bile ducts leaving his liver are squeezed closed which causes fluids to back up into the liver and evenutally, cirrhosis (liver damage). This is not caused by drugs, alcohol, or anything else he did. Although the symptoms are treatable eventually it will get worse, and the only long term cure is a liver transplant. To make matters worse, there is a 15% increase in the chance of liver cancer - which also goes back to normal with the transplant. (If he does get the cancer, the chances of getting the transplant before it spreads are unlikely). - Martha (Scott’s wife)
