Pre-transplant Evaluation

This seems surreal, I've been talking about transplant for soooo long; hard to believe it's really happening.

And so it begins.......

Day 1: 9 hours, 5 appointments- I completed a VQ scan and a CT scan of the lungs, 26 vials of blood drawn, chest x-ray taken, urine and sputum samples donated, a tetnus booster shot and a pneumonia vaccine received and a consult with infectious disease doctor.

Delicious ropa vieja for dinner at the Cuban revolution cafe. Time to call it a night. I am tired. Tomorrow's first appointment begins at 7:30am. Thank you everyone for your prayers and support.

Day 2: 10 hour day included ultra sound of the liver, meetings with nutritionist, surgeon, heart cath consult and an esophagography test. 

The latter test consisted of my body laid out in various angles while swallowing barium, an Elmer's glue like substance but less tasty, along with sodium bicarbonate crystals in order to produce gas. Strict orders were given to not burp. The end result was not pleasant. Think about the standard science fair volcano and you get the picture; not a pretty sight.

Day 3:   Easy day of testing. Lots of waiting for appointments. Good thing I am a patient woman. Pun intended. ;)

Day #4 of pre-lung transplant evaluation- Met with the social worker, the psychologist, the financial coordinator, the GI folks and lastly the rehab center. All went well except the GI appointment. I was unable to complete the esophageal manometry. They were not able to push the tube down my nasal passage into my stomach. Sinuses are too inflamed. As much as I wanted to get this over with I am grateful they were sensitive to my discomfort. The next time they try it will be with sedation. One more day- cardiac catherization in the morning- two tubes up the groin into the heart.


Day #5- Successful cardiac catheterization. Doc said he noted no reason to hold up transplant from his findings of my heart. Now I have to wait until the team meets next week. They will review all of the test results and let me know if they think I will be a good transplant candidate.