Posted 8/8/2013 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
LS
I'm with David. Something smells fishy.
What state are you in and where is the closest TP hospital?
I've been through all this with my brother and I think your docs are too complacent. For instance, they haven't told you his MELD score. I feel that they underestimate some folks and just dont want to bother with a lot of questions. I was on top of everything with my
brother and I think you should start watching his labs. All you need to know are his INR, Creatinine, and Bilirubin.
When you have these 3 lab results, you can keep track of his "sickness" or MELD score yourself every time they draw blood. Ask for his latest labs and post those three results and we will tell you his score.
If his score is 16 or higher, why not start the TP evaluation as this process can take up to two months and consists of about 40
appointments. First the insurance has to be approved, which can also take time. I'm not saying that dad is going to start going downhill. I just think its foolish to waste a month when you could be starting the process. Btw you can decline a TP at any time right up until they wheel you into surgery.
Another thing, a wonderful doc at MASS General suggested that my brother go directly to Florida where there were many more livers and they were transplanting at the lower MELD scores. So we went to Mayo Clinic in Jax where he did receive his liver after 11 days on the list!
I realize that most folks can't pull up stakes and temporarily move to a TP area but I'm just spelling out what I have experienced.
I realize your mom has power of attorney but if she has health issues you may want to discuss having you or a close sibling takeover that role for expedience sake.
On the off chance that dad has a sharp decline, you will have not wasted precious time....that's all I'm trying to say. Hope this makes sense. With this iPhone I can only see a couple of lines of text at a time Lol.
Please keep us posted and get a copy of the last lab results.
Mae