Aarron Busch, 46, Dewart Lake, returned home Friday after liver transplant surgery.

Once listed in critical condition at the Indiana University Medical Center intensive care unit, Indianapolis, he is now "doing much better."

Aarron's wife, Barbara, reported that her husband was hospitalized from the day of the surgery, July 16, until Aug. 25, when he was allowed to go home.

Becky Tusing, 41, Aarron's sister, also of Dewart Lake, was listed in fair condition at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, after her surgery. Tusing donated 60 percent of her liver to her brother, who was in serious need of a transplant.

Tusing was released from the hospital July 24.

Busch's and Tusing's operations took place at two different hospitals to allow the specialists to do the procedures in the hospital where they felt most comfortable. Doctors thought it was important for both patients to stay in the hospital where they could receive the best care.

Busch's entire liver was removed and replaced with part of his sister's.

Tusing stayed approximately eight days compared to Busch's month.

"He had problems with waking up," Barbara said of her husband after his surgery. "He got addicted to the painkillers and they had to wean him off of that. So they had him sedated for about three weeks." She said doctors had to "ease off on the drugs so he would wake up."

Even after Busch finally did wake up, his wife said, he was still in a "fog" for a few days.

"With liver patients sometimes they're in a fog (and aren't) clear-minded (for a while)," Barbara said. Busch became "clear-minded" Monday, she said, three days after his return home.

"He was doing good at that point," she said. "He's doing good now. He's already been down for one checkup and he has no problems at this point."

Busch will go back to the doctor for checkups once a week. Barbara said eventually the visits will "stretch out" to where he won't have to visit every week.

"Already 75 percent of Becky's liver has grown back," Barbara said. But Busch's is just beginning to grow back.

"It takes longer because he was so sick," she said.

Tusing will go back for checkups approximately every six months and she has about three more weeks before she goes back to work. Busch is not expected to go back to work for another year.

"It will take him about a full year to recover," Barbara said.

"He's doing much better," she said. She also said he does therapy at home to help him regain muscle strength and walk again.

Barbara said Busch and Tusing are glad to be home and both are doing well in recovery. [[In-content Ad]]