UCSD visit finally

Okay so I finally got to see Dr. Yung after 4 cancellations. When I first got there I was so upset because he was asking questions like he had never seen me before and talking to me like I waited to long to see him and what not, when I haven’t been the one who has been cancelling on him it’s him or his office who has been calling me and rescheduling my appointment. I just broke down and he actually left the room to talk to my regular doctor Dr. Shah to discuss what was going on. It was then that Mike said in a firm voice “Now is not the time to break down, you need to be strong now for him and your own good and break down once we leave the building.” He held my hand and understood what my frustration was but also knew that I had to shake these tears and get it all under control. So, a few minutes went by and he returned with no luck at trying to get a hold of Dr. Shah so Mike took it upon himself to get a hold of him while I talked to Dr. Yung. So, I took a short breath (because I can not take deep breaths anymore) and apologized to Dr. Yung for breaking down. I told him I was just really worried because I am getting worse everyday, my husband sees it, I feel it and Dr. Shah can see it in my test results. That Dr. Shah has wanted me to see him for over 3 months now but it took forever to get an appointment and then they changed the date on me 4 times. I told him that I felt that it was going to be to late for me to even try and get a transplant.” He told me not to apologize but that it was very important to get me into UCSD for a Transplant Evaluation. That it needs to be done soon so I can get on the list. So, it was a long 2 hour appointment but I have sort of bulleted the key things that were said from my appointment below. It is going to take about 2 weeks to get the paperwork done from the insurance and to set my appointments up for my evaluation (which all test should be done in about 4-5 days) and then my results will be submitted in front of a board and they will decide then if I am a good candidate or not. So, hopefully if things go in my favor in about a month from now I will finally have my beeper and I will be on the transplant list.
I did find out yesterday that Dr. Yung is not my surgeon for my transplant and that he hasn’t done surgery in about 20 years, so that was a bit nerve racking to me because why am I even speaking to him if he isn’t going to be my surgeon. And he also told me that he would most likely remove himself from being on my board because I am his patient and they have to try and not choose favorites when it comes to transplants. That if it was up to him he’d put his ok for a transplant because I’m his patient and he doesn’t want to lose any patient, so again I was like “Why am I even talking to you if you can’t help me get on the list either.” But I guess that’s just how the process goes and I have to agree with however the process works. I just want to get on the list really. He did however tell me that he WILL help me try and stable me where I am today with medicine and one he mentioned was Viagra. Yes, Viagra. I guess it helps open the arteries and helps get oxygen to the lungs and heart. So I may end up being put on that medicine and also something called Tracleer I think that is how you spell it. I’m not to sure what that will do but he thinks I may benefit from it.

So in a nutshell:

1.I should get a call from UCSD by August 20, 2007 to set me up for my evaluation.

2.My evaluation will consist of numerous blood samples, CT Scans, bone density test, Pulmonary function test, 24 hour urine sample, 6 minute walk, check my esophagus to make sure it isn’t to messed up from my acid reflux, psychological evaluation, a 2 hour movie on what to expect , and the scariest one for me a heart catheter. I believe that is it. I’m sure there is more but those are the ones I remember him telling me.

3.I can finally stop my immunosuppressant drug since I have proven to tolerate it with no severe problems. There is a GOD!!! I am so excited to get off of that terrible medicine. Now I won’t be nauseous all the time.

4. Went over the cons of a transplant and told me everything that could go wrong from death on the table, to rejecting the organs, to cancer, kidney failure, my % for the 1st year and my % with in the 1st 5 years and what not. I think he was just covering his butt and trying to make me understand that getting a transplant isn’t a cure that there is still a lot of things that can go wrong but I don’t care, if it gives me a chance to see Dominic grow then I will do what ever I have to, to get that chance; even if it only gives me one minute longer.

So thank you all for your prayers and emails and everything else you have done for me and my family. This is just one of many humps I have to get through to get my 2nd chance at life and hopefully I’ll be a good candidate and will have that opportunity to run and play with Dominic again and to walk with out the help of someone or oxygen tanks.

3 things I am happy for:

1. Finally getting the ball rolling for my evaluation.

2.My husband because he truly is my strength and keeps my fears in check when I want to give up.
3.Having my first night with out having to take my immunosuppressant drug.