What a process. After numerous tests, scans, ultrasounds and MRIs we are finally on the transplant waiting list. However there are still three more tests to get through this next week in order to get the exception to the MELD score to account for the cancer. If I haven't touched on that before, you have your basic score determined by liver function in this case, that score is 8 right now. Which shows the treatments have been helping because when we started this it was 11. So basically he is getting healthier. If not for the cancer he would not even be considered for a transplant. With the cancer they have to determine that it's large enough but not too big, because that would increase the likelihood that it has spread, if all clears he would be increased on his MELD to 22 putting him up near the top of the list. There is no sure way to know the cancer is gone by treatment alone. How much simpler life would be if this had been caught or taken care of before the cancer developed.
Now we are closely checking his sister and brothers in hopes of keeping them from going through this process.
When the time comes for transplant he will spend a week to 10 days in the hospital followed by 2-3 months recovery. One bit of good news was that his body finally produced an immunity to the HEP B virus so hopefully that will eliminate a gamma globulin (sp?) infusion since there wont be the risk of his body infecting the new liver. A great thing but would have been fantastic before all this other crap developed.
On to the regular ordinary life stuff. Only two weeks of school left. Jazz concert tonight at middle school. This will be our last band concert since our youngest says she is quitting band. On to guitar concerts next year. We will also be marching in the Jr Rose Festival parade with our combined 7th/8th grade bands this next week. Fun.
Cindy & Heidi thanks for the emails, I'm not doing real well at responding. Busy. Not a good excuse but there ya go. I've gotten information about the upcoming class reunion but not sure where I'll be at that point so I'm holding off responding.
I had a job interview this week and thought it went really well. I am really hoping this works out. It's working for a non-profit organization that arranges repairs for elderly or disabled folks who can't otherwise afford them. Keeps me working with housing but allows me to help people and make a difference. This dog eat dog world of real estate will chew you up after a while. The part I enjoy is working with people so I am hoping this new job will help me find that fulfillment. Not as much money but steady and worthwhile. There is more to this world than paying taxes.
Overall we are doing pretty good right now.
Hope you are too.
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