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My Liver Transplant Evaluation

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Posted 5/19/2011 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Connie,

Been thinking about you today! I am sure you are beyond exhausted! You can get through this. I am so glad they have decided to give you a pic line...that will make things so much better for you! They have had to do pic lines on my husband before, because his veins are shot, too.

I hope you can get some rest this weekend. On the ride thing, I know Visiting Nurse's Association has people they keep on their "staff" roster as drivers, too. We have a friend that does that he has actually driven my husband to some appointments that I could not make it for.

They are being very thorough, which is a good thing. You hang in there, we are all here cheering you through this process!

mer

Posted 5/19/2011 10:43 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks, everyone for your comments and suggestions.  Linda, thanks for the toll free number.  I checked their site online and they showed no transportion services in my area.  Mer, I will also check out the VNA.  Kist, I've never heard of what you suggested.  Is it an organization and do they have a name?

Carol, they haven't scheduled a cardiac cath for me.  I had the echo yesterday and will have a stress test next week, I think.  Fortunately, I don't have heart problems (as far as I know.)

I'm trying to reach my neighbor to see if she can pick me up the end of the day tomorrow.  Meanwhile, I made my van appts.

I stocked up on food today--lots of fresh fruit.  Also avocado, lettuce, grape tomatoes.  I'm mostly eating low-calorie, low-sodium frozen foods.

I also got my gallon jug of Go-lytely...only this is called Gavilyte-G.  I doubt I'll be able to get the whole thing down.  I'm just not that big.  In addition, there are 2 pills that I was told are a laxative.  I think that's overkill.

Need to take a shower and get ready for tomorrow.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 5/20/2011 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
... may the burdens of the days to come lay easily on your shoulders... may you be lifted up... on the wings of prayers...may you somehow feel energy where energy is not... may wisdom come for the path to take... and may u always know the love or ur Healing Forum... here for you.. loving you... caring for you... may ur path be straight and made easier these days... Sandia
Posted 5/20/2011 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
That Go-litely stuff cleans you right out. You are better off grabbing a good book or magazine and just sitting on the throne drinking the stuff, because all the running back and forth will zap your energy and you will be toast toorrow!
Posted 5/20/2011 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Sandi, I loved that. Very nice.

Mike, I don't have to take it until Sun. night, as my procedure is on Mon. But thanks for the suggestion. I have a lot of unread magazines, too. I just finished reading Steven Tyler's (from the band Aerosmith) memoir. Wild, wild stuff.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 5/20/2011 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
Connie-
Ditto what Sandi said. So beautifully stated. Always wishing you the best.
--Emma
Posted 5/20/2011 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie

I am so impressed with your stamina and resolve. Listening to your ordeals I realise that even if my sister could get a transplant she doesnt want to live badly enough. You do so keep fighting and im sure youll get there. Thoughts are with you.

Mandy.
Posted 5/20/2011 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie,
The bad thing about a colonoscopy is flushing out your intestines (pardon the pun). The good thing is that you'll get a little sleep while it's being done.
Posted 5/21/2011 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
I'm way too tired to go into detail about today...will try to this weekend. But wanted everyone to know that the ABG (arterial blood gas) was no problem at all. She got it on the first try and I didn't even feel the needle going in, let alone pain. A lot of worry over nothing.

Hugs,

Connie
Posted 5/21/2011 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Another day done..........you are getting through it Connie. Glad the test today went easier than you anticipated. Least you have the weekend to recooperate.
I think of you everyday.........sending good thoughts your way.

Lot's of thoughts and prayers...........
Posted 5/21/2011 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Connie,
Now I feel like a wuss.
Posted 5/21/2011 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
David, I had a very good technician. She's a licensed respiratory therapist, but was very skilled with the blood draw. She did say she had a problem with someone the other day and had to stick her twice. Coincidentally, she used to be a medical transcriptionist, so we chatted about the profession when I was taking little breaks from the inhale, hold, exhale all the way portion.

Sister 3, I'm just a very determined person. I will get through this or die trying.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 5/21/2011 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
WHEW.... mind over matter... mind over matter... yes...ur doin it... now a rest...OK... off to rest time... let Mondays problems take care of itself on Monday.. Sandia
Posted 5/21/2011 8:57 PM (GMT 0)

I slept for 11 hours.  Feel much better, but still tired...the usual tired from hep C, but a little extra.  Muscles feel weak and tired. 

Have to go do laundry but will be back later.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 5/21/2011 11:30 PM (GMT 0)

Day 4 - Fri.

Pre-Admission Estimate Appointment - I was expecting this to be an estimate of the transplant, but instead it was for the colonoscopy.  I'm not sure if it includes the upper endoscopy, but think that it must.  The total is $1,061.18.  My share after Medicare is $318.35...unless my secondary kicks in.  I'm not really worried by any of this.  After insurance pays, I will ask for their charity help to cover what's left over.  Or pay $5 a mo. for the rest of my life.  They really have always worked with me and I've never gotten threatening letters or been turned over to collections.  Their services are actually much cheaper than Shands.

Complete PFT (pulmonary function test:  This was scheduled before the arterial blood gas, but the tech did the ABG first.  I'd heard some horror stories and was dreading this.  Piece of cake...didn't even feel the needle go in.  No problem at all and it was quick.  After that I proceeded with the PFT:  Into a plastic booth I went...just larger than a phone booth (remember those?)  I sat and  had to blow in, hold it, blow out completely...a whole series of these.  Then outside of the booth, I did steps with the pulse oximeter on my finger.  Up with one foot, then the other, down with one step, then with the other.  It was rather fast.  The last few minutes my calves were tired, but I completed it.

Following that, I was able to go to the cafeteria and have coffee and vegetable soup.  Then on to Allergy to check where I was stuck yesterday for a tuberculin test.  I was fine.

SO relieved to have gotten through the first week.  I had to wait about an hour for the van to pick me up.  The girl who picked me up in the morning was the same one.  She said she'd been given a 1-hour break, but came to get me home instead.  I really appreciated that, or I would've been waiting for 2 hours or more.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 5/21/2011 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
@ Connie, Sounds like this process is going well. Nice the gal took you home instead of taking her break just then. And good you rested today.

And good yo uhave help organized for Monday.

And then there is tomorrow...the old c-prep! UGH.

Mike had a colonoscopy one day and an endoscoy another at his regular GI abouit 3 months before he got involved with the transpolant program. So, of course the center wanted their OWN tests and Mike had to do that prep a third time in three and a half months. As he already has sugar problems, you can imagine he was a mess those days! ALL THREE OF THEM. :-(

Good luck.

C
Posted 5/22/2011 1:33 AM (GMT 0)

Oh, poor thing, ML.  They have the endo and colonoscopy scheduled 5 min. apart...so basically at the same time.  Yeah, I'm not looking forward to the prep tomorrow.  I really doubt I'll be able to drink all of it.  My labs were all okay...only liver enzymes and AFP were elevated.  I am in good shape for the shape I'm in.... turn   No sugar problems or diabetes, no heart problems, never had HE, no creatinine or lung problems.  Just liver and hips.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 5/22/2011 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie, I've been monitoring your progress re-new liver without commenting ,and now I thought might as well have my two bobs worth . If I'm told when I go to RPA in a couple weeks that I've got to do what you have my new liver ain't gonna happen. The test alone will kill me . Thinking of you every day .
Mick
Posted 5/22/2011 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Some kinda "just", Connie!

Like being a bit pregnant! Don't you think?

Get some sleep, girl, you need it.

Me too. Mike started on his insulin tonight. His sugar was 365 before dinner. Maybe this is just temporary.

Hugs, Carol
Posted 5/22/2011 5:07 AM (GMT 0)

Mike, don't say that.  The testing won't kill you.  I was overwhelmed when I got my itinerary, but am taking it one day at a time and one test at a time.  Monday's are the ones I'm really dreading.

Carol, the good thing is that the hips are giving me no problems, and aside from fatigue, my liver is holding up well.  Oh, yeah...there is that liver tumor...but I feel confident everything will come together.  I am not nearly as sick as most folks who get on the transplant list.  If it weren't for the tumor, I wouldn't even be considered for transplant.

Hugs,

C

Posted 5/22/2011 10:51 AM (GMT 0)
really pleased you are getting through this connie, you are made of strong stuff, keep going, all will be well. xxnatasha.xx
Posted 5/22/2011 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie, I have been reading along with your journey and my god, what natasha said you are made of strong stuff! You really put things into prostective for me the way you are handling things, with such strength and courage. You often the one keeping us all going and strong and to think what you are going through and still manage to get on and give us an update and advice on our problems, you are truely a remarkable woman Connie. Take care and good luck for tomorrow Kristaxxx
Posted 5/22/2011 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
take as much as u can Connie.. ud hate to have to repeat... I know a resident that I worked with that had to repeat...... Mick....take off ur sissy pants and take it like a girl... lol... its hard to project ahead of time... just as hard as those fingers touching the floor in these stretching exercises Im doin but somehow come Tuesday... whether I have to put on 2 inch false finger nails... my fingers are touching that floor... and Im doin what ever it takes... for this evaluation... sometimes the mental anxiety is worse than reality.. somehow gotta just do it... ur life for a colonoscopy... come on... let em look up there... ok Im done... deep up the good positive thoughts Connie.. ur a champ.. my prayers are with you.. and u too Mick.. Sandia
Posted 5/22/2011 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
My Mike always says its a heck of a way to lose a couple of pounds...but he'll take it!!! LOL

It's ALMOST TIME!

C
Posted 5/22/2011 5:48 PM (GMT 0)

Carol, I've already lost 2-3 lbs. this past week, due to fasting and a lot of walking.

Hugs,

Connie

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