I think this brings you up to date after this

Apr 15, 2014

Just checking in. I had a battery of appts and a test today. I met with the transplant social worker, I'm not nuts...check! Lol He was actually really nice, tuned me into some resources for transplant patients, an especially good deal on a hotel that is only for transplant patients (which from this day forward I am). It's a Town Place by Marriott, it's set up like a studio with a bed, fold out couch, and a full kitchen/fridge, laundry facility in building, and free breakfast, free shuttle to clinic. Oh, and they also supply all pots, pans, cooking equipment...you all know how important that is for me, top chef lol. I'll probably make a drum set out of them and rock out lol Seriously, it will feel a bit more like home, and save a ton of $ on eating out. Also, the rate per night is (don't adjust your monitors)...$40/night!! The rest of the rate is subsidized by the clinic. I told him that some of my friends are getting together to do some fundraising for us (which we really need and truly appreciate), and he said that he has some additional resources that we might be able to tap into. I met with the insurance specialist for transplant, and so far we are good to go with insurance approval (yay!). I also did an online thing called Healthquest, they are these online questions that you do, this one in particular was regarding anesthesia. It gives them an idea if you have a risk for anesthesia problems, and due to my first surgery and the whole Fentanyl problem of "hey, I'm awake and I can't breathe, talk, or swallow over here" I'm always a risk. I also had an echocardiogram, just an ultrasound of the heart, and no surprise when she was trying to visualize the aorta and the bottom if the heart it was a black hole, too much scar tissue. I do have to change hotels to the Wyndham, but not until Thursday, and I spoke with the Cleveland clinic liaison at the hotel and even though they are sold out of the $99/night clinic rooms, he is honoring that rate no matter which room they give me, even if it's the Mack daddy room. He was super nice & helpful. Thursday is a better day to move because it's the only day I don't have any appts...yet! They keep adding more appts to my schedule everyday. I already had a CT scheduled for tomorrow, and 3 different GI appts., and now they added a mammogram before my CT. On Friday I have the yucky upper GI with small bowel follow through, and Thursday I have to do the lovely bowel prep for it (whimper whimper) ugh, oh well. I have my follow up with Dr. Kareem Abu-Elmagd on the 24th to wrap it all up and let me know the plan and then I can come home. It will be so good to come home, I miss Mart & the kids so much, and of course those obnoxious 4 legged dorks as well. I wish Gramps were here, I know and respect some of you may not get it, but after family & friends those little guys bring me peace and comfort. I have come to know many of the employees here at The Comfort Inn, and there's one shuttle bus driver, John, he's about 80, and he always includes all of his clinic patients in prayer at church each Sunday, including me. He knows about this transplant road I'm on, and he and I were the only ones in the van on the way back and as we pulled up to the hotel he started crying, really caught me off guard, and I asked him what's wrong? He said, "I was talking to my wife about you and I just feel so bad for you going through this". I assured him that in the scheme of things that this is good news, really, a new lease on life. He's fine now, it just really caught me off guard.  I think that's about it, it's so much! Oh, I talked to the kids, and they are doing ok.  I hope I sleep better tonight, long day tomorrow. 

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