It's official - Off the UNOS Transplant list until / unless

Hi all,

I hope that you are all doing as well as can be expected. We all know that if we're on this forum, things aren't normal.

The letter came today: UNOS has taken me completely off the list due to the throat / neck cancer. I was hoping for simply an 'inactive' status that could be reviewed after 6 months of remission and doctors' review. They left the door open to get back on the list, but without any specific requirements to meet.

Fortunately, the cancer is easily treated; unfortunately, it has a 50% recurrence rate.

In my work during the mid-70's, I used to spend one week a month in Vegas and understand statistics. This means I see two things: first - not much attraction to gambling since the odds almost never favor the player (craps, the exception; cards, except for the house overhead); and second, cancer 50% recurrence is only a number, not looking at the particular case - its treatment (sophisticated), location (well understood) or stage (localized).

But, I ramble. Morphine and I and Norah Jones for music.

Goodnight, be well, John

Oh John, I am sorry they took you off the list. Miracles do happen.....everyday.........with the door still open... there's always hope.
God has a plan for you and there is a reason for everything that happens. So hang tough and don't give up. Hope you had a restful sleep.

Thoughts and prayers.........

Well, that's crappy news!!     However, I do feel you will beat the cancer...and hopefully have a long enough period of remission that they will consider relisting you.  If not...you can join me in living the most health-conscious life possible and keeping the liver disease from progressing.

How much more chemo must you undergo, or are you done with that?  How about the radiation?

My thoughts and prayers are with you, as always.

John

Take my word for it, you don't want a transplant until you beat the cancer.  The cancer will go crazy and I don't believe there is any beating it then.  Sometimes I wish we had know Jerry had cancer before his transplant, but then we wouldn't of had this year that we have had as  of the 17th of Oct.  His cancer is slowly, sometimes quickly, but surely killing him.  So have patience, which I know is easy for me to say, because I'm not where you are and going thru what you are, but I'm in my own hades here watching Jerry.  Nora Jones sounds good to me.

Helen