Through a routine term life insurance policy work-up, Joe's lab tests revealed elevated liver enzymes. That was 19 years ago.

Since that point, this condition has been monitored at regular intervals. The official diagnosis is cryptogenic cirrhosis - meaning there is no known cause.

About 10 years ago, the monitoring was stepped up and the possibility of needing a liver transplant was discussed. Over the past 5 years Joe's vitality has been declining and there were intermittent medical episodes that required either hospitalization or a lot of medical care. It has become quite apparent in the last year that a transplant would be needed in the near future.

Joe is now being treated by Dr. Victor Navarro and his team at Jefferson University Hopsital. As of September 20, 2010, Joe is officialy on the liver transplant list. From that list, donors are matched with qualified patients who are both sick enough to need an organ and healthy enough to survive the procedure. We are hopeful that Joe will be called for a transplant soon.

Joe received a liver transplant on October 8, 2010!!!

Friday, October 8, 2010

The latest

We have gotten several updates throughout the day. It seems that all is going well - the new liver is in and is working. We had a wonderful day together as a family! Jeremy, Elizabeth, Jon, Dawn, Sophia & Anthony arrived in time to see Pappy/Pops/Pop-Pop before he headed into surgery - we got to spend some private time with him and Grammy and all prayed together. We parted ways at about 10:30 a.m.

Jeremy brought some cookies, Elizabeth brought some bagel bits and Joel and Shannon arrived around 11:30 with donuts - it was definitely indicative of a DiCandilo crisis - no carb left behind!

We went to the Reading Terminal market for lunch and then hung out in a park - it was such a beautiful day. Erin, Lily and Wil arrived around 5:30 and we headed to dinner and to watch the Phillies game. Fay has been receiving calls from the OR nurse throughout the day letting us know how things are going.

Jer & Erin just took the kids home and the rest of us are now sitting in the waiting room as we anticipate getting an update from the doctor at 8:30. We hope to be able to see him briefly before heading home tonight.

It's been a long day but a very hopeful exciting day. We are all so thankful for the prayers and support we have felt throughout the day!
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