Mike McGookin

When I went to LDS Hospital I was not sure what to expect. I had been waiting for three years for a liver transplant at another transplant center in another state. I made an appointment to meet with the transplant team and be listed at LDS Hospital. Having been evaluated prior to my appointment, I had my records forwarded to LDS. The day of my appointment I brought my wife, mom, dad, father, mother, and brother in-law. We took up the whole conference room as two transplant coordinators gave us an introduction to the program. While we waited to meet the doctors in the waiting room, they had two volunteers (liver transplant recipients), eager to to answer any questions I or my family had. I came to love these men as they shared their experiences with me. We then went to meet the doctor in the clinic. During our long visit he answered many questions we had. The doctor gave us his time so willingly, I was impressed with the compassion he showed my family. I was listed at LDS Hospital within a week.

As time went on I experienced some of the complications that go with the liver disease I had. I was admmitted numerous times. After being in other hospitals, my wife and I noticed the difference right away. The nurses, CNA's, doctors, resident doctors, surgeons, pharmacists, coordinators, social workers, even the housekeepers, were so good to us. We didn't get that anywhere else. I was admitted into different departments depending on the severity of my complication and the staff was the same everywhere I went. As hard times came upon us we were treated as family. Doctors would sit beside me on my bed and talk to me and explain the next procedure. A special coordinator stayed with my wife during an emergency surgery. Social workers would be there for us to help with anything we might need. I was there so often and for long time periods, I was cared for by the whole transplant team!

The day of the transplant finally came. There were many family members there to support me. They said that the surgeon's nurse would update them frequently. After nine hours the surgeon came to my family and said everything went well. I was sent to the shock-trauma unit to recover. There I continued to receive excellent care. I felt I was important. I was encouraged to get out of bed the next day. I did (barely), but I did it, and what a feeling it was! Everyone was so positive for me. During my recovery I was reassured I was where I needed to be. I became more and more attached to the staff at LDS, everyone was so good to us. As I became stronger, I would walk from my room back to shock truama and the surgery recovery unit to see all of the friends I made while I was there, and they would cheer me on as I walked by. They would also come to see me in my room. And that meant a lot to a patient like me. Before I was discharged the pharmacist spent hours with my wife and I, teaching us how to use the medications that I would be taking. I was given a post transplant handbook to use stating the side affects of these medications and what to expect during my recovery.

Everyone at LDS made such an impact on my life, I will be forever grateful to them!