[olddog]

I was recently diagnosed with ascites. Please bear with the back ground information, as I do have an important question at the end.

Ascites refers to abdominal pain and swelling as the result of fluid buildup. Many underlying diseases can be responsible for causing ascites, including tuberculosis, kidney disease, pancreatitis, and an underactive thyroid. However, the primary causes of ascites are heart failure, cirrhosis, and cancer.

I have known for over a decade that I was born with a genetic defect commonly called Alpha 1.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT deficiency) is an inherited condition that raises your risk for lung and liver disease. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein that protects the lungs. The liver makes it. If the AAT proteins aren't the right shape, they get stuck in the liver cells and can't reach the lungs.

Everything is pointing to cirrhosis of the liver. More test to be done.

General statistics for ascites is 50% survive 5 years. Alpha 1 has been known to cause cirrhosis to advance so rapidly that from onset of symptoms to death can be as short as 6 months, although that is very rare.

Liver transplant is the only option to fix the liver.

At the beginning, I said I believe I would rather die than have an organ transplant. Now that I am getting very close to crossing this bridge. I am wrestling with this opinion I once held. When my best friend's kidneys failed and he made a similar point, I found myself wanting him to get the transplant, arguing against myself as well. His early death was shocking.

What do others think about organ transplants? Would you have one?