Well here is the latest on me (what a boring subject). After three days of tests in SLC at the transplant center my MELD increased again to 16. Those watching, realize that’s another point raise in just 2 weeks. The DR said that all the blood results looked worse than just two weeks ago. The good news is that I am getting higher on the transplant list. I am tiring out easier but I am still having some good moments.
For those of you asking about leave donations there should be something coming out soon. I hope to have all the paper work submitted to the state office by the end of the week. Thank you so much for your care and concern for me and my family. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the wonderful people I work with!!
Now an update on my brother Pat, as you may have read about his accident from this blog, 5 weeks after the accident he is still in ICU and pretty much unconscious. They have yet to be able to do the surgery to fuse his neck, because of infections. Thus he is still intubated (breathing tube down throat) and kept sedated. He has responded on occasion to commands to stick out his tongue and move his eyes. He is still very much unstable. His poor wife (Sylvia) is trying to deal with this and keep a positive attitude. I have to confess. She keeps us up and a lot more positive then we would be with out here. She is such a rock!
I do not have to look very far to see so many others worse off than us. We are so blessed. The Lord hears, answers and is answering ours and your prayers. Please keep praying for us.
This month as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving I truly give thanks for each and everyone of you that take the time to make a difference in our life and the lives of others. We have so very much to be thankful for.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Well I am going to take a turn updating this. Today I had a check in with the local GI doctor. after all the activity over the last three weeks due to my brother. I have been extremely worn out and struggling. I had my blood work down last week and got the official word that my MELD is now at 15 and thus not only am I on the transplant list but now a viable (sick enough) candidate.
Now let me tell you a little about my Brother. I only have One. He is almost 2 years older than me. On Oct 8th he was involved in a vehicle accident. Since then he has been in a coma. The doctors do not believe that there is much hope. He broke his neck a C-6 and crushed the Spinal cord there. Because of all the swelling from the brain injury he has had at least 2 strokes in the hospital. They have been unable to get him to respond to commands since then. ( Of course those that know Pat, know this is nothing new- he would not respond before the accident unless he wanted to.) He is here in Idaho Falls at the ICU. His wife has made it known that if he should pass that he wanted me to get his Liver. That is not easy for me to deal with.
One thing I want all of you to know is how blessed I am. As I find myself struggling with my trials. I do not have to look very far to see so many others so much worse off then me. I am truly blessed by my friends and family and mostly by a loving and caring Heavenly Father.
Thank You for all your thoughts and Prayers for me and my family.
(I will try and get my daughter to add some pictures to this site of my brother and update some of are family photos.)
Now let me tell you a little about my Brother. I only have One. He is almost 2 years older than me. On Oct 8th he was involved in a vehicle accident. Since then he has been in a coma. The doctors do not believe that there is much hope. He broke his neck a C-6 and crushed the Spinal cord there. Because of all the swelling from the brain injury he has had at least 2 strokes in the hospital. They have been unable to get him to respond to commands since then. ( Of course those that know Pat, know this is nothing new- he would not respond before the accident unless he wanted to.) He is here in Idaho Falls at the ICU. His wife has made it known that if he should pass that he wanted me to get his Liver. That is not easy for me to deal with.
One thing I want all of you to know is how blessed I am. As I find myself struggling with my trials. I do not have to look very far to see so many others so much worse off then me. I am truly blessed by my friends and family and mostly by a loving and caring Heavenly Father.
Thank You for all your thoughts and Prayers for me and my family.
(I will try and get my daughter to add some pictures to this site of my brother and update some of are family photos.)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Officially on the List Tomorrow!!
August 11, 2008
As many of you might know Dad and Mom are currently in Salt Lake for anther round of testing. I just got off the phone with Mom; Dad had several tests today, his MELD score has increased by one point bringing him to a 14. The Team is putting him on the list tomorrow morning.
Dad is required to get blood work done every month now to track his MELD score. Doctors believe his wait once he reaches a 15 will be short due to the average of livers that fit his need that have been coming in lately. The fact that the biggest need for livers are for smaller people with “O” blood type also increase his chances for getting a liver quickly.
So in short our prayers are being answered and we are moving along. Thanks again for the support and prayers.
RaeAnn (Annie)
As many of you might know Dad and Mom are currently in Salt Lake for anther round of testing. I just got off the phone with Mom; Dad had several tests today, his MELD score has increased by one point bringing him to a 14. The Team is putting him on the list tomorrow morning.
Dad is required to get blood work done every month now to track his MELD score. Doctors believe his wait once he reaches a 15 will be short due to the average of livers that fit his need that have been coming in lately. The fact that the biggest need for livers are for smaller people with “O” blood type also increase his chances for getting a liver quickly.
So in short our prayers are being answered and we are moving along. Thanks again for the support and prayers.
RaeAnn (Annie)
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Then and Now
My Siblings and I just got back from a family reunion in California for my Dad's family. It was a lot of fun. Mom and Dad weren't able to make it due to dad's legs swelling when he travels so it was just me and my bros. and sis. Anyway while there I was bombarded with loads of questions about my dad and the most frequent one was how is he looking. well sorry dad but I don't exactly carry around pictures of you in my wallet so I decided to demonstrate it on the blog so beware the following pictures may cause some of you to go into shock due to the fact that he has changed so much in just a few years.
*Annie
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Q: 11
Q 11: I have been asked could the cause be related to Desert Storm.
A : Yes it could but no one knows. I know there are a lot of people out there that want me to go sign up with the V.A. I plan on doing so after the Transplant.
I am worried that if I get accepted by the VA as a service related injury that I will have to go to there transplant hospital which is some were in the south.
I am also blessed right now with good health insurance and all though it is certainly not free I feel that we couldn't do much better with the level of care we are receiving.
A : Yes it could but no one knows. I know there are a lot of people out there that want me to go sign up with the V.A. I plan on doing so after the Transplant.
I am worried that if I get accepted by the VA as a service related injury that I will have to go to there transplant hospital which is some were in the south.
I am also blessed right now with good health insurance and all though it is certainly not free I feel that we couldn't do much better with the level of care we are receiving.
Salt Lake visit
On Friday Beth and I went to Salt Lake for tests with the transplant team. My MELD score has been increased from a 9-10 to a 13. although I must be at least a 15 to receive a new liver the team decided it was time to add me to the list. so, I will be going back to Salt Lake in a few months for tissue tests and to finally be registered as a candidate.
Jeff
Jeff
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