Jan 6th 2009 update
Hi everyone,
The cardiologist from the UWMC has wanted a bit more weight to come off John, so yesterday at 5 pm, the UWMC nurse called and had John take an extra dose of diuretic. Yup, it worked. He wore a path in the carpet between the bed and bathroom until 2 am this morning, but did rid himself of 2 more pounds of water! Don't try this diet at home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, we went to a support group at the UW and gained more insight into this journey that we are on. In addition to info, John was prescribed yet another diuretic to complement what he already takes. It is called a 'potassium sparing' diuretic and will help keep his potassium level within range. It is a bit low right now.
The weight seems to satisfy the doctor at this time. If John weighs 185 or less, he takes 50 mgs of his old diuretic plus the new prescription. If he weighs 186 or more he is to take 100 mgs of the old diuretic plus the new prescription. The goal is to keep his weight between 183 and 185. Now we need to either shop for stylish suspenders or new trousers!
OK, new info. The nurse, who is on the transplant approval panel, told us that our case should be presented to the panel in mid to late February. She and our cardiologist will be doing the presentation. (We'd love to bugs on the wall, listening to that!) If John is put on the list, he will need to be within three hours of the hospital at all times. There will also be an appointment with one of the transplant surgeons who needs to evaluate the 'site', to know about previous heart surgeries, pacemakers, etc. We can expect to be on the list for at least a year, under normal circumstances.
This is really going to curtail travel and fishing in Eastern Washington. Bummer on both counts. Today we cancelled our Panama Canal Cruise which was booked for fall 2009. That's OK. After our 10 weeks in Europe in 2005, Colleen said that if we couldn't travel again, that's OK, we did it big that year, and again in 2006 to the Baltic and Scandinavian countries, then in 2007 we went back to Italy, Greece and Turkey and also to the Black Sea to the Ukraine. Then in 2008 we traveled to the Caribbean, Alaska and the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the entire east coast of the country. We have seen alot and it is OK that we stay home for awhile.
We have two more appointments on Friday at the UWMC, we'll let you know what we find out then.
Colleen and John
The cardiologist from the UWMC has wanted a bit more weight to come off John, so yesterday at 5 pm, the UWMC nurse called and had John take an extra dose of diuretic. Yup, it worked. He wore a path in the carpet between the bed and bathroom until 2 am this morning, but did rid himself of 2 more pounds of water! Don't try this diet at home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, we went to a support group at the UW and gained more insight into this journey that we are on. In addition to info, John was prescribed yet another diuretic to complement what he already takes. It is called a 'potassium sparing' diuretic and will help keep his potassium level within range. It is a bit low right now.
The weight seems to satisfy the doctor at this time. If John weighs 185 or less, he takes 50 mgs of his old diuretic plus the new prescription. If he weighs 186 or more he is to take 100 mgs of the old diuretic plus the new prescription. The goal is to keep his weight between 183 and 185. Now we need to either shop for stylish suspenders or new trousers!
OK, new info. The nurse, who is on the transplant approval panel, told us that our case should be presented to the panel in mid to late February. She and our cardiologist will be doing the presentation. (We'd love to bugs on the wall, listening to that!) If John is put on the list, he will need to be within three hours of the hospital at all times. There will also be an appointment with one of the transplant surgeons who needs to evaluate the 'site', to know about previous heart surgeries, pacemakers, etc. We can expect to be on the list for at least a year, under normal circumstances.
This is really going to curtail travel and fishing in Eastern Washington. Bummer on both counts. Today we cancelled our Panama Canal Cruise which was booked for fall 2009. That's OK. After our 10 weeks in Europe in 2005, Colleen said that if we couldn't travel again, that's OK, we did it big that year, and again in 2006 to the Baltic and Scandinavian countries, then in 2007 we went back to Italy, Greece and Turkey and also to the Black Sea to the Ukraine. Then in 2008 we traveled to the Caribbean, Alaska and the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the entire east coast of the country. We have seen alot and it is OK that we stay home for awhile.
We have two more appointments on Friday at the UWMC, we'll let you know what we find out then.
Colleen and John
posted by Colleen and John | 5:18 PM
1 Comments:
We continue to pray for your health and that you get on the list soon! Dan and Joan
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