Tony Lucero
Hi my name is Tony Lucero. I was born and raised in El Paso, Tx and have lived in San Antonio, Tx since 1999.
I grew up watching my mom’s family suffer from liver disease. First her grandmother, then her cousins, and finally herself. All suffered immensely and eventually all of them died from cirrhosis.
I was diagnosed with kryptogenic cirrhosis of the liver in 2007 after I was awaken from a routine gall bladder removal surgery. I remember being so overwhelmed I couldn’t even talk. All I did was cry. I think it was even more taxing on me emotionally when I had to tell my mom that I too had received this family trait.
In 2007 I was listed at San Antonino Methodist hospital. The first few years were hard because I lost quite a bit of weight either from anxiety attacks or from the actual cirrhosis. My anxiety was bad for a while because as I got more sick I would come to a spot in my mind that I remembered my mom, so I knew my liver was slowly getting worse not better. I was listed until January 2022 with San Antonio Methodist. At that time I was in ICU retaining so many fluids I had swollen to 355lbs, extremely fatigued, and unable to breathe due to all of the fluid I had retained in my body and now lungs. They suggested at this time that I get close to God and get my finances in order because their was nothing they could do.
My wife and I spoke and came to terms with my diagnosis, and I chose to move to Houston Methodist. The only reason I chose Houston was because my son Tim is a firefighter in Katy and my wife and father had family support being there.
I arrived in Houston by ambulance three hours later and began testing. I had a dream as I slept about my mom coming for me and me growing wings and I told her I was sorry but I couldn’t go. I had promised her when she was dying that I would take care of my Dad. A priest arrived that Friday and I told him about my story and my dream. He gave a strong prayer and an anointing of the sick, and said I feel God has placed you in a spot of spiritual warfare. I was in such despair that on Saturday night I prayed and cried and asked all of Gods Angels for help.
Sunday morning at 3am the nurse woke me and said to get up and shower because you’re getting your offer. My coordinator called and he told me that he felt they had a great match for me. I cried and prayed while showering and I came out and asked the nurse if she could please call my wife and father. It was at that moment that I was starting to feel God’s work in motion. My family arrived and they looked happy but their eyes still told me that they were extremely worried. I was getting wheeled from one building to another. I was so scared and worried until we passed into a glass tunnel and the sun was just coming up. At first the tunnel was cold because there was snow on the ground. I asked, “it snowed in Houston?” My wife said yes. Then as I was looking out the sun captured my attention and I became overcome with emotion. It was as if time stood still. The true inner feelings I have for this beautiful moment in my life I still have no words for. All I know is that I went from feeling like dying to feeling so good and that I didn’t want to leave that moment. It was the one time I was aware and fully cognitive of feeling the Holy Spirit.
I turned and told my dad, “I’m going to be ok dad.” I grabbed his arm and told him, “Dad listen to what I’m saying, I’m going to be okay whether I stay or go, I’m going to be okay.“
The next part of my story is I think the most beautiful because it isn’t about me but my donor and God. My dad and my wife said that after 10 hours my surgeon came out and told them that the new liver was transplanted and it was fully functioning. She said my entire system started functioning immediately, bile ducts and stomach. I think this is the most beautiful part of my story because it started this change in me that hasn’t stopped since.
I was transplanted on January 23, 2022. The hospital and therapist still shake their heads when I see them. I never needed pain meds after surgery. My vision has changed for the better in the last year. Sometimes I don’t even use glasses. I no longer use a CPAP machine. I started running five months after transplant and haven’t stopped since. All of this beauty I owe to my donor and to the good Lord up above.
At this time, I’ve spoken with my donor family over the phone and by text, and we are planning on meeting one day in person. They’re such beautiful people and I always think of how proud I want to make them with my health. I want to show them how much I cherish and love their brother for the gift of life he has given me. I want to personally thank LOPA for my liver and my life. From the coordinators to the people that transported my organ. Thank you for my life!