My story begins May 17, 2024 and nothing has been the same since.

My name is Joseph Wyatt.

My story begins on May 17, 2024. It is hard to write about having liver disease and harder to write about needing a live donor for a liver transplant. My life as I knew it, ended suddenly when the symptoms began, and problems started 19 months ago.

It is hard to write about having liver disease and harder to write about needing a live donor for a liver transplant.

My story begins on May 17, 2024 when a friend noticed that my eyes were yellow. I went to my General Practitioner and had tests done, and after a short hospital stay the diagnosis of liver disease with ascites/swelling.

Ascites is a condition where the accumulation of excess fluid in the abdominal cavity, between the lining of the abdomen and the abdominal organs. This buildup of fluid causes swelling of the abdomen. This triggers a weekly procedure where medical staff inserts a needle in the abdomen and drains sometimes as much as seven liters of fluid.

Quickly the symptoms got worse (trouble sleeping, severe itching, bruising, bleeding easily, feeling full and tired). This illness has required many ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries and being sick enough to be put on life-support in August 2025 for several days.

Having the disease is very frustrating and occasionally makes me confused; on one occasion did not recognize my wife of 25 years.

I am still trying to keep my routine and work everyday. I take dozens of pills a day and sometimes the medicine makes me nauseous. I must make sure to eat enough to not throw up the medicine. I must acclimate to a world where I am dependent on others for keeping medicine straight, medical appointments, things I used to do without thinking.

The ascites (buildup of excess fluid) makes it hard for me to move around, and every week when I go to the hospital to have my abdomen drained, affects all my organs, especially the pressure on my lungs, making it hard to breathe.

I have lost 40-50 pounds and cannot wear my regular clothes, cannot driveway anymore; it is hard to have to depend on everyone for everything and it makes me sad, mad and angry.

A second chance at life and a better quality of life, allowing me to resume my daily activities, unhindered. A transplant will restore my liver function, theoretically leading to a better quality of life with higher energy levels and improved overall well-being.

This journey has been a blur, and I am filled with uncertainty about what the future holds. I am thankful to be supported by incredibly positive family and friends who are for Suzy and me.

You know that quiet calm after a storm moves through; all of a sudden, the chaos is quiet, the clouds fade, and the sun comes out.

Suzy and I want to thank all of the incredible people at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Anne Arundel Medical Center. We take for granted that we are fortunate to have the most skilled surgeons, radiologist, PAs, nurses, therapists and techs right here in our neighborhood.

And without the love and caring of my wife I do not know where I would be.

Thank you for taking the time to hear our story. And thank you for your love and prayers.