Post-Transplant Blog, Pt. 6

David, I still don't know about HCC. The TC and hepatologist both feel it's hep C.

I had quite a day. After 5 hours' sleep, I arrived in Radiology at 9 AM for my MRI. (I had 4 hrs.' sleep the night before and spent all day at Mayo yesterday for testing and a meeting with the surgeon.)

I told the radiology nurses today that I'm a hard stick and it always takes awhile--1/2 hour or more--to gain IV access. They never do believe me. One nurse thought she got a vein on the left arm, but when she put in the saline flush, it blew the vein. Another nurse tried the right arm. She did get a vein and got the IV established. She gave me saline flush and Glucagon. It went in fine, seemingly. When I got into the MRI machine, pics were taken w/o contrast for about 40 min. Then they started infusing the Gadolinium contrast and blew the vein. I was screaming in agony and pushing the communication bulb in my hand frantically. I kept yelling that the vein was blown and my arm was killing me. This happened once before (at Shands) and I got a really bad burn. You can still see part of the scar from it and that was in 2005. So they got the needle out and wrapped both arms with the Ace-type bandage that sticks to itself. Also gave me 2 hot packs to bring home with me. The rt. arm is still swollen, but I know it will go away. Only a slight burn.

After that experience, I met with my TC and a hepatologist. After examining me, I was told that yesterday's chest x-ray showed fluid in the base of my rt. lung and it's been there a month. Therefore the pulmonologist had me set up for thoracentesis on MON. AM! Similar to paracentesis, this drains/taps fluid from one or both lungs. I told the TC and hep doc that I have surgery Mon. AM! They knew nothing about it. I was told that the MRI with contrast would have to be rescheduled as they got no pics with contrast, so don't know if
there's HCC.

I was told that they would consult with the pulmonologist and my transplant surgeon and then get back to me before 5 today to get an answer on surgery. The TC called just after 5 and said the plan is to go ahead with surgery on Mon. AM (surg. is sched. as "emergent surgery" at 7:30 AM.) I told them that someone besides a nurse would need to establish an IV for me Mon. AM. I will be discharged around noon or so on Tues. and have the paracentesis done at 2:15 PM.

I have to make arrangements for transportation to and from the hospital.

I'm so tired and sleepy that I can't keep my eyes open. Must get a nap.


Hugs,
Connie

David, it was suggested that when I have to have an a IV established, to go in AIC (Ambulatory Care Center) before going to MRI. This is a good idea in theory, but I've been there twice and had to wait about an hour each time before being called into a room. There are 2 beds to a room and not enough rooms. Each session lasts at least an hour, and more like 2, which throws me off schedule.

Hugs,
Connie

Thank you, Carol...and David. David, I not only know how to speak up, but I know how to scream, too. I took a 2-hr. nap this afternoon and feel a lot better.

My new next-door neighbor, Sharon, will take me there Mon. AM and pick me up at discharge on (hopefully) Tues., then go with me to the Radiology appt. for thoracentesis. Hopefully, I will be home by 4:30 PM on Tues. Sharon will also feed Mac and scoop the poop while I'm gone. I have to drink the yucky stuff tomorrow night to clean myself out...so I'll eat like it's my last supper tonight. They say it's best to eat lightly, but I know I'll be starving on Mon. AM.

JoAnn is off tomorrow and Tues. and will pick up an Rx for me.

Carol, I will certainly appreciate your forum help on Mon. and Tues. You, too, David (and Rick, Emma, and anyone else who is able to welcome newbies, post, and generally keep the forum running smoothly.) I will have to do laundry, clean, and pack tomorrow (a little extra in case I'm not discharged on Tues.) I should have a Netfix movie to watch this evening to get my mind off the next few days. Really dark rain clouds are over us now--and that's not a euphemism.

I'll pop in at least once tomorrow.

Hugs,
Connie

Angie, the movie didn't arrive. I got one-half of the envelope! That was a disappointment, but my best friend called from NYC that her live-in b.f. for the past 3 yrs. had died of ESLD Wed. night. We talked for 2 hours

This will be my last post of any kind until I am discharged and "aware" once more.

Hugs to all and everyone take care!

Connie

Best of luck Connie and you will be in my prayers.

I'm home and alive! Once more. Was discharged yesterday, but too weak to do anything. I had mesh in the open site removed. Good flesh beneath, no bowel visible. I agreed to wound vac for 1-2 weeks for healing. Machine was delivered around noon today. But Mayo dropped the ball and did not send orders to Home Health. On the phone back and forth all day. Nobody could be reached, but hopefully this will be taken care of tomorrow. I have copious drainage, not only going through packing and and dressing, but also towels. Yucky!

I'll write more tomorrow if I'm able. Please continue to rely on ML, Rick, David, Emma, and others to keep the forum going for awhile. Still weak. Didn't eat anything all day. Just had Carnation Instant Breakfast. Uncomfortable, but not in much pain.

Hugs,
Connie

Glad to hear you're home. Hoping this will be the final fix for your incision.

Carol, you can call me tomorrow if you like...after Noon. If no answer, I'm either on the phone or sleeping.

I forgot to mention that the pulmonologist drained a LITER of fluid from my rt. lung while I was under anesthesia! I couldn't notice a difference yesterday, as far as breathing better, but do today. Am supposed to do breathing treatments 10 x per hour, 10 x a day. Impossible, but I am doing some.

Remember peeps...it was inpatient surgery and I was under general anesthesia...NOT outpatient procedure with conscious sedation. I'm still weak. Had a little soup. Will try to eat some more.

More tomorrow.

Hugs,
Connie

Glad to hear you are home. Focus on getting well.

Sending hugs
Mar

Hope you are feeling better soon.  Keep up your spirits...here's some virtual get well flowers (tulips).    

   (W) (W) (W)

     l      l     l

     l      l     l 

_______________

Angie1953

Yay Connie! You were in my prayers. Wish my part of Alabama and your part of Florida were a little closer so I could help out...I could help both you and my dad :) No need to reply, you get your rest. Just glad to know you're home and OK :)

Hi Connie

Hope today has been better

I'm crashing. Busy days.

"See" you over the weekend.

ML