In July of 2018, I suffered heat exhaustion while umpiring multiple games in 95 degree heat. After two days, I went to see my doctor. My doctor didn’t diagnose with any major health problem at the time. I managed my health until November when an ultrasound and blood work revealed I had cirrhosis of the liver. There was also suspicion of cancer and my oncologist was not very optimistic.
After several benign biopsies, I was cleared to travel to Florida with my family in January 2019. It was there that I became ill with what turned out to be an infection. From that point on, things went downhill with ascites, varices and an abscess in my abdomen which complicated my health and required surgery. Gradually my health improved enough for me to leave the hospital and enter a physical rehabilitation center.
A ruptured hernia in February 2020 provided the most recent health hurdle, but after repairing the ruptured hernia, a TIPPS operation, and with the tremendous support of my family, my health has improved by 75%.
I have been on the organ transplant waiting list since October 2019 waiting for a liver transplant. The waiting has been tough and stressful for me and my family because of my low MELD scores (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) and with the not knowing what will happen.
My hope, if I receive a liver transplant, is that it is successful and I will be able travel back to Florida with my family.
