July Transplant Update

Yesterday we received written notification from OHSU that I have been officially listed for a heart/kidney transplant!  Of course, such an operation cannot be scheduled.  Average turn-around time for cases such as mine here in Oregon is six (6) months.  I will be posting more details shortly.

End of May Transplant Update

I met with the OHSU kidney transplant doctors two weeks ago and was told that I was a good candidate for a kidney transplant. I also had a dozen or so blood samples taken, and an ultrasound of the abdomen. Last week a kidney transplant coordinator called to say that the transplant team wanted another ultrasound, a CT scan and more bloodwork. So we'll be traveling back to Portland next Wednesday (6/6) for all of the above, as well as at least two vaccines and a visit to my primary care doc.  Hopefully, the information gleaned from the day will result in my being finally listed for a combined heart and kidney transplant later in June!

May Transplant Evaluation Update

Quite a few changes since the last post!  Bubbie and I met with a transplant nutritionist and a transplant social worker to ascertain whether we were on the ball enough to handle the constraints and problems associated with a dual transplant.  A few days later, my case was presented to the heart transplant team and I was provisionally accepted to the heart transplant list.  Now, I am being evaluated by the kidney team.  So far, we have participated in a kidney transplant seminar, I had a chest MRI and I have had a second pulmonary evaluation.  Next are a clinic appointment with the kidney transplant team and an abdominal ultrasound. The kidney team may also want us to meet with an oncologist and a hematologist to discuss long-ago bout with Hodgkins and my current intermittent anemia.  We also need to attend a heart transplant seminar and complete several questionnaires.  So maybe I'll be formally listed in June!