alb123's Journal

Well, today I was discharged by my visiting nurse.  I am now 117 days post liver transplantation and doing "okay".  My bloodwork comes back with very good levels and I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable with the whole situation.  Its been scary, the memories of the illness, the hopeless thoughts, the strain I placed on loved ones...But I am alive and technially healthy.  I have ridiculous joint pain since the surgery, but my doctor raised my prednisone intake from 5mg/daily to 20mg/daily to try and help with the inflammation (arthritis) that has developed.  Its been about 3 days now, on 20mg, and I think there is some level of pain reduction in the ankles and knees.  Its still extremely painful in the elbows, fingers and shoulders tho.  Time to start working on accomplishing new goals!  Mainly getting off of the dilaudid pain medication.  I can't imagine having to deal with this pain without it.  It hurts bad enough WHILE taking it.  We shall see...