Offical Evaluation next week

[Toogoofy317]

I'm still kinda stunned at how fast this is happening. Guess I'm just used to progress being agonizingly slow but today was a huge leap.

I spoke with the transplant doctor at shands University of Florida hospital. He was very frank with me and explained a lot of stuff. He told me he wnated the full workup done on me sooner rather than later. Which means I go in on Monday. Would have been sooner but my appoinment wasn't until today. For some reason he wants tha patients on Monday.

Unfortunately, he said I had two strikes against me. My Chron's disease and the IVC filter. I did tell him that one of the GI doctors I had seen said I did not have the Chron's disease. So, not only will we be checking the status of my heart but will be doing a full GI work up as well. Just what I want another EGD Colonoscopy in less than six months. He said the biggest thing he was concerned about though was the filter because it makes it hard to do caths. Since it is in the IVC they can only do biopsies from my neck. He said though if this was my only problem that it should not prevent me from becoming a candidate.

So, wish me luck next week!

Mary S.

[cynthia]

Mary,

I wish you all the luck in the world!! Have faith...better days are coming :wink:

[Sarah]

Good luck!!!! We'll all be pulling for you.

hugs,

Sarah

[dreamcatchinglady]

Mary,
I am cheering and rooting for you. After we both get our transplants and the others who are waiting do I am sure we will all be able to write a book. It's an adventure all of us. Some days are tough but we can do it. Take care and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

[NoCrash]

Okay, now you're getting somewhere, Mary! Hopefully the forward progress will keep on keeping on! (Is that an expression limited to children of the 60's?) Good luck during the evals. I'm sure you'll be pretty busy with tests for awhile. Try to get as many as you can done right there at Shands to minimize the chance of lost paperwork between doctors/facilities. And the colonscopy would come later, anyway, better to have it over with now.

Biopsies are normally done on the right side (from the neck) for some reason, even when a left side (femoral artery) cath is being done at the same time, and I have no idea why. When I was at Mayo they did a left-side cath and then a right-side cath immediately following grab a sample for biopsy. The docs at the UCLA transplant clinic do so many right-side biopsies that they have the procedure down to a point where it only takes a few minutes--no sweat.

When I was 16, in 1971 (that's AD, not BC) they did a left cath through my right arm using a procedure that I'm told isn't even taught anymore! So many things are possible.

We're pulling for you!

Rob

[Largehearted]

Hang in there Mary. We will be praying for you.

Peace,

Leon

[Eileen2345]

Mary,

I wish you the best of luck.

I am praying for you and I am pulling for you too.

Hugs to You,
Eve

[angall]

Mary

I certainly will be thinking of you and praying for the best.

You're on the right track now.

Keep us updated when you can.

[Midge Rollins]

Mary, I am so excited for you. The big journey has begun. As far as heart biopsies all of mine except one have been through the neck on the R. Not a problem. As my Dr.'s told me when we are done testing you for this transplant we will know more about you than you ever thought possible. And they did. they knew every child hood disease I had had and hadn't had. The more you have had the better as you have the immunity to them. So good luck, and you are in my prayers.

[Reenie]

Good luck and keep us posted!

Reenie

[Linda]

Mary, Thinking of you, praying for you - Linda

[Toogoofy317]

Wow thanks for all of the heart felt wishes. I truly appreciate them. just when you think you are all alone in this so many step up and remind you that you are not.

Boy did all that driving take it out of me. On top of it all I think I might be getting a cold or another pleural effusion. That is what it feels like at least that and my temp is about 100 right now. Not sure who I should call about it. Hopefully though I will be feeling better tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Mary S.

[Laoshur]

Mary,

We will be praying that Monday yields great news!

Rhoda

[karen cicconetti]

Dear Mary
Good luck.We are all praying for you.



Karen

[Dolly (Andrew's mom)]

Best of luck Mary!!!!

[Stuart Schwartz]

Mary,

You're never alone here at HCMA.

Wishing all goes well next week and the news is good.
May things happen quickly in your favor.

Stuart

[jmurray]

Mary,

Good Luck. I hope everything goes your way. I will be thinking of you! :D

Best wishes,

John

[Lisa Salberg]

Mary,
It sounds like you have made some great progess in your journey!!
I hope the road stays smooth for a LONG time!!!

Big hugs!
Lisa

[Donna]

Mary,
I hope this finds you doing well. I was so happy to read your post. I wish you all the best of luck on your appointment on Monday. May this be the beginning of a fast and smooth road to a transplant for you.

Take care and I hope you get over that cold soon.

[Pam Alexson]

Mary,

Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes smoothly and that you are listed for your transplant. We are all pulling for you.

Pam

[Toogoofy317]

well I finally gave in yesterday after a long treacherous day of work feeling down right miserable. I went to the ER and found out I have a bad case of bronchitis. I have no voice and was playing secretary all day! My throat hurts so bad that fluids even hurt! And I get to do it all over again in eight hours.

I'm almost looking forward to the week in Gainesville. I'm so tired from work and now school. I don't know how I am going to do all of this!

Mary S