Lots of Action Today

I just talked to my dad and lots happened today.  First, the good news is that mom's heart was pumping very well today with the assistance of some medication.  Unfortunately, the meds give her headaches and nausea so there was some bad to go with the good.  With her headache, she and my dad were subjected to a long line of questioning regarding family history, lifestyle habits, etc. for the application to the heart transplant program.  She answered all of those questions, avec headache, like a trooper!  Applications are reviewed on Tuesdays and hers will come up at tomorrow's board meeting, which is attended by about 40 people.  If she is accepted, she will become a resident of the Cleveland Clinic's 8th floor, where heart patients live.  Currently, there are about 7 others waiting.  Let's hope they have a well-stocked snack fridge, abundant internet access and a large screen tv!

If she is accepted -- and we believe and hope she will -- there are a few factors 'in her favor'.  One is that we are told it is easier to deliver a blood type A heart, since so many people are type O, thus all waiting for the same thing.  (I need to do some more research there, as you'd think the donor rolls for O would also be larger.)  Also, her case is medium critical and the most critical cases are dealt with first.  Recipients are divided into three groups.  The 2As can wait at home for their hearts.  The 1As -- my mom-- need medication; the reason she has to live at the Clinic is that the medication she's responding well to is administered via an IV.  We don't have one of those on Appleshire Court and TL is not a trained nurse.  The 1Bs have first priority as they are being sustained via mechanical device.  As well, her body size -- as in, lean -- bodes well for finding a right-sized heart.    Finally, the key heart centers in the U.S. are at UCLA, Columbia and the Cleveland Clinic.  The former both serve larger patient populations, so geographically it is better to be in Cleveland.  Something for the Jets' former coach to keep in mind if he takes that Browns job...

As always, thank you for your good thoughts and outpouring of support.  It sustains us.