Yunus’ Journey: New Country, New Job, New Liver

Yunus's Journey

New Country, New Job, New Liver

Shortly after moving to the United Kingdom and starting a new job, Yunus’s health began to deteriorate. His journey has been anything but straightforward — but is it ever with PSC?

Yunus shares his experience of undergoing a live donor liver transplant, and the profound impact this life-saving operation has had on him and his family.

Father with light skin and brown hair with arms around his two young sons stood just in front of him with a brick wall background

How Did It Start?

Unfortunately, shortly after moving to the United Kingdom to start my new job, my health deteriorated.

I have had several episodes of cholangitis over the past four years, but during the most difficult periods of my life, I was experiencing cholangitis attacks almost every three weeks.

At the hospital, my CRP levels were usually checked, and since they were not very high, I was discharged. However, as soon as I got home, my CRP levels would rise to around 200, and I would experience severe fever and chills.

After living in the United Kingdom for six months, doctors told me that I needed a liver transplant immediately. This came as a huge shock to me and my family.

The Most Challenging Times of My Life

Given the urgency, I returned to Turkey for a liver transplant from a live donor, which was the quickest solution. During this challenging period, my wife and sons stayed in the UK for school and work. It was the most difficult time in my life, filled with uncertainties.

Beginning My Second Life

My operation was on the 8th of February, a date I now consider my second birthday.

Thankfully, everything went well, and I always thought of recovery as a countdown, and finally, I got my previous life back—my work, living with my wife and kids again.

I am now much more aware of the value of everything. I always focus on the positive side of things and no longer complain about the rainy weather in the UK at all!

"Right after first standing up, I felt like I had already won the challenge."

The session and support from the PSC Support community were truly invaluable to me during that time [transplant and recovery]. I cannot emphasize enough how important your work is—not only for patients like me but for the broader PSC community.

Please know how much it meant and continues to mean to me.

Lesson Learned from this Journey

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that maintaining good mental health is very important. There have been many days when I felt hopeless and struggled to maintain my motivation while facing pain and difficulties.

I feel privileged that PSC Support has raised my awareness and provided me with countless tools and benefits for mental health. Especially when we have physical health issues, we may tend to put mental health on the back burner.

However, just as in other uncertain situations, I have experienced that mental health plays a significant role in the healing process. Do not underestimate the importance of looking after your mental health during difficult times.