The Transplant
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
scotthull said,
August 24, 2006 at 12:57 am
Aug 23. We went for the pre-op appointment - which was filmed by the BBC team. It was scary enough talking to the surgeons, but with Haley there with the camera made it seem a little unreal. Fortuantely, very little of what the surgeon said was new information to us. Except one little phrase “the most complicated surgery done”. When later he was talking of his brothers heart transplant, I asked him if the liver was more complicated than the heart -his response “much more complicated”. Alrightly then.
MarcusHull said,
August 24, 2006 at 11:01 pm
That does seem a bit daunting, but the faith in the Doctors’s and God will get us both through this quickly & safely.
Teresa Camacho-Hull said,
August 25, 2006 at 12:09 am
Mmmmm this is our Marcus…we knew he liked saving lives when we went to bed on his second birthday with his Fireman’s hat…from then on, he had many hats to play with, the British policeman’s, when four; the US Navy’s; the Bolivian shaman’s, all the way to the US policeman’s when he was thirty-some!!! until Kim asked him to choose one or better yet…start rescueing people financially from his desk!!! I tried to lay down all the reasons for not going through this (sorry Scott, Martha, Sean, Erin and all who love you so much, a lot of people…
but you must understand…especially if you are a mother…but when I really, finally, heard Marcus and the reasons why on the 30th he will be right beside Scott, plus the need he has to do this operation to help one of his favorite cousins, all I can say, God Bless you two and I am sure that Mamina, Babba, especially, will be watching this miracle of our times and will smile proudly for their GRANDsons! Power to you two. Much love, Teresa
p.s. Donna, maybe we should be holding hands that day! Looking forward to being with you. (the gal from Bolivia…member???)
Jesse said,
August 25, 2006 at 12:31 am
While this is no “cake walk” for any of us you guys, Scott and Marcus, have the difficult part –the
rest of us are only the supporting cast. We’ll do all we can to help out while two families are flipped up- side- down while their men are out — families to care for, businesses to run — won’t be easy. You have a lot going for you — best doctores, grest hospital, big support system with lots of love — things will work out fine. Marcus, you will have to leave the Harley parked for a while and Scott you won’t be able to do much star- gazing for a few months, but what the hey, Pluto is no longer a planet so surely you will soon be helping NASA find the next big thing out there.
Martha said,
August 25, 2006 at 3:00 am
Teresa,
I am GLAD you tried to talk Marcus out of it. (I am also glad you did not succeed!) He needs know all the reasons not go do this as well as reason to do it, so he can make and informed decision. If he were to back out now, I would understand. Deep down, I think PopPop helped him make his decision. It is in the Hull blood to do the noble thing. I think Mamina, Babba, and PopPop will be with our Hull boys on the 30th.
Hopefully Marcus will be able drive that Harley before it gets too cold.
- Martha
Jeff Guerber said,
August 29, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Hey Scott!
I only just learned about the situation today, from a message Linda sent to the Astro Club. Wow. Here’s wishing that everything goes well for you and your cousin during the surgeries, and that you have smooth and quick recoveries! We’ll be thinking of you.
And don’t worry, the sky isn’t going anywhere, it’ll still be there to explore when you’re ready to get out and look at it again!
(Which you will be, soon!)
Jeff Guerber
Peter C. Chen said,
August 30, 2006 at 3:27 am
Hi Scott:
Didn’t know about your predicament until a post from Linda Pattison today. Here’s wishing you a successful operation and speedy recovery. Please keep in mind that the world has a severe shortage of wonderful people like you, so it is imperative that you take good care of yourself. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Regards,
P.C. Chen and family
Melissa Manley (step-daughter of Christine Hull) said,
August 30, 2006 at 5:49 pm
The Manly Clan is sending good vibes from South Carolina and Georgia to you, Scott and Marcus, and your families. I hope the re-scheduled surgery provides a little more time for mental and physical preparation.
We love you very much and we’re thinking about you!
Carol Krueger (co-work and friend of Scott's) said,
August 30, 2006 at 7:01 pm
Scott you are a SPECIAL person. I remember the first day you came to work for Code 444. From that day on what did I say to you every morning when I saw you. “Beam me up Scottie” well I am here to beam you up. My Love, my prayers and my thoughts are with you and your lovely wife and daughters.
Remember, if you need a nurse after you come home, I know where you can find one. You have my number here at GSFC. I have 43 years of nursing too.
Good luck to Marcus who also, will be just fine. The LORD is on both of your sides. He is a great man and he looks over great men. He will be with you both all the way.
Bonnie also sends her love and best. She is praying for you and Marcus. Everything will be just fine.
Rob Sticka said,
September 5, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Scott,
I hope you have a speedy recovery. We’re thinking about you here at Goddard.
Rob
Sarah said,
September 5, 2006 at 9:12 pm
Thinking of you all often during this long day. Give Shannon a special hug for me.
Sarah (Shannon’s Girl Scout leader)
Michael Heinz said,
September 7, 2006 at 2:04 am
Prayers and best wishes from d0c and his family.
Michael Heinz said,
September 7, 2006 at 2:08 am
http://obvioustroll.no-ip.info/?q=node/87
Janet Beale said,
September 7, 2006 at 3:58 pm
Thank you for updating us, Martha. Can you tell us how Marcus is today?
Janet
Carol A Krueger & Bonnie said,
September 7, 2006 at 8:33 pm
This is the best thing that happen since the REDSKINS won the super bowl in 1992. Martha you site is so wonderful. I can’t hardly wait to get home from work to see what’s new with Scott and Marcus. I was so glad to hear that Scott was up and in a chair this means a lot after surgery. How about Marcus is he up in a chair also. Are the two close by where they can talk and share their stories? May be that would be an option as they get better to be put in the same room together. I have been sharing this Blog with so many people at GSFC. They are suppose to be sending a note or two. Print them and share them with Scott and Marcus. They would get a charge out of it.
Well goods news today and please keep it coming. I will be back tomorrow for an update. I guess you are wondering why I am so interested in Scott’s operation/recovery. Well being a nurse for 43 yrs and knowing someone that has expereience problems, operations and now recovery with their liver that I have only read in books is very interesting to me . Our medical abilities and understanding have come along way over the years. There is nothing that our Medical field can’t do. Of course, cure cancer. But we are getting close to improving that too. God Bless and take care.
Kaeryn said,
September 8, 2006 at 2:32 am
Scott and Marcus, so glad to hear everything went well and you are both recovering nicely. no thanks are enough, marcus!
martha, shannon and erin take care of yourselves too.
here’s hoping scott will be in his new sickroom soon
Kaeryn
Kim Hull said,
September 14, 2006 at 3:41 pm
hello to everyone
I am glad that I could be a part of this whole thing 
I think that it has brought the whole family together and I am glad that we could help out 
The day of the surgury was very crazy for both Martha and myself but we were there for each other and we got through it 
Yeah!!!!!!!! Now that Marcus is home he is on his way to recovering. Hopefully Scott is doing great also. We are going back up to the hospitqal for a check up for Marcus tomorrow and we are going to check in on Scott to see him. Good luck with everything Martha and if there is ANYTHING you need please call 
We love you guys 
You are part of us now:
Marian said,
September 26, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Martha, Scott, Shannon, and Erin;
We hope things are going well for you and wanted to know we are thinking of you. Please let us know if there is ANYTHING you need;
Love, Marian, Greg, Katie, Alec, and Maddye