“It’s dreaming about what it was three years before the diagnosis, and then, hopefully, dreaming what it will be after the transplant.” – Jon McSorley
I was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) in October of 2016. PSC is a rare, chronic and potentially serious bile duct disease that can be cured with a liver transplant. It is also common for PSC patients to have Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease, which I have dealt with since my late 20s. I am married with two young children, work full time and coach high school basketball. I was managing both diseases the best I could while keeping up as many activities as possible.
In January of 2019, I was referred to the University of Cincinnati Liver Transplant Team for an evaluation. Test results from that evaluation confirmed I had Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), which is a high risk for PSC patients. This increased the urgency for a liver transplant. UC Health partnered with the Mayo Clinic for my treatment, and we explored both living and deceased donor transplant options. Friends and family stepped up to start the process of being tested at the Mayo Clinic, as I became listed at both Mayo and UC Health for a liver.
After finishing rounds of chemotherapy and radiation at the Mayo Clinic, and a few rounds of chemotherapy at UC Health, I received a donor liver at UC Health. I write this on day 60 post-transplant, and I’m getting stronger every day. My family and I will be forever grateful for the person and their family who decided to donate their organs, giving me the Gift of Life.
Jon McSorley
