Stories
Introduction
We
thought
it
might
be
a
good
idea
to
have
a
section
of
other
peoples
stories
and
experiences.
We
hope
this
will
help
others to speak out and share their experiences.
This is Deb’s story, Deb’s lives in Stoke-on-Trent and had her liver transplant carried out at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham in 2014.
I
was
lucky
(I
guess)
that
I
was
able
to
return
to
full-time
work
in
the
March
of
2015
following
my
August
2014
transplant.
I
totally
understand
the
mental
health
side
of
things
as
when
I'd
returned
to
full-time
work,
I
broke
down
in
April
2015
when
everything
was
the
most
"normal"
it'd
been
for
many
years.
My
transplant
came
following
a
diagnosis
of
Wilson's
disease
in
November
1999
when
I'd
not
even
felt
ill.
It
was
being
controlled
by
medication
but
in
2013
I
started
the
year
with
a
chest
infection
and
pleurisy.
Then
after
a
fall,
I
broke
my
finger
in
August
which
needed
surgery.
I
then
got
the
flu
in
the
October
and
fluid
built
up
on
my
stomach.
This
got
infected
at
the
start
of
November
2013
and
I
was
rushed
to
the
hospital.
During
my
3rd
night
in
there
the
fluid
rushed
up
into
my
lungs
and
my
right
lung
collapsed.
Had
I
been
at
home
they
said
I'd
not
have
survived.
They
rushed
me
to
Intensive
care
and
drained
7
litres
of
fluid
from
my
lung.
I
remained
in
the
hospital
for
the
rest
of
November
where
they
drained
8
litres
of
fluid
from
my
stomach.
That's
when
they
decided
I
needed
to
be
transplanted
and they listed me in January 2014.
When
I
broke
down
in
April
2015
I
went
to
my
GP
and
he
referred
me
for
counselling
which
I
had
until
July
2015.
I
still
have
days
where
I
get
lows
and
anxiety.
The
councillor
said
I
had
a
lot
of
signs
of
PTSD
and
also
Survivors
Guilt.
Keeping
myself
busy
is
my
way
of
pushing
my
negative
thoughts
back.
I
have
found
that
when
I
say
things
on
Facebook
occasionally
my
friends
and
family
react
differently
to
the
people
in
the
Transplant
Chat
page
for
Queen
Elizabeth
Birmingham.
So, it is good to speak to people that have been through it as they do understand more and can empathise.
Hopefully more stories can be added here later - once others feel comfortable
about sharing their experiences. Please email your stories to us at :