Kidney Chronicles... Hold Those Good Thoughts For One More Week!

Hi - just a quick update. We got a call today from our transplant coordinator, Melissa, telling us that we have to wait yet another week for Bob's case to be presented to the selection committee. That's disappointing, but the good news is that the cardiology docs, headed up by Dr. Rame, have concluded that they definitely recommend that the transplant be approved! That is a huge relief to us - especially after Melissa asked that I get on the extension so she could talk to us both at once. We are now both breathing normally, but there were a few tense moments before she got her message delivered.

The delay in the presentation is due to Dr. Rame needing to be out of town to be a presenter at a conference. He definitely needs to be present at the committee meeting, and is bringing with him Dr. Hoopes, our formerly least favorite cardiac surgeon from last year ( His infamous words "Who are you and why are you here to see me" at an appointment last year may ring a bell). However, we welcome Dr. Hoope's participation since he is in agreement about going ahead with the transplant, and is very well respected among the medical staff.

In addition, we have another new advocate who wants to be present: Dr. Posselt, a kidney transplant surgeon who happened to speak at our last TRIO meeting (Transplant Recipients Int'l Org). I nagged Bob to introduce himself after the meeting, and his apparent well-being and healthy appearance (not to mention good manners) apparently impressed the doc so much that Dr. Posselt is adding his vote to help get this transplant approved. It pays to look better than you feel, for sure! And thanks to our friends at TRIO for providing this bit of serendipity.

So......next Friday, April 4 at noon is when all powers of persuasion need to be flowing to 450 Parnassus Ave! Thanks again for all the support, and my apologies for not such a quick update after all.

Cheers!

Cherie and RJ

Kidney Chronicles... Still Wishin' and Hopin'?

Happy Spring, officially! Here's the latest on this seemingly never-ending story. Bob had his second Echo-stress test as scheduled on March 12, and he felt strong and comfortable strolling along on the treadmill. However, the staff administering the test and watching the feedback from all his heart monitors decided to stop him after 10 minutes, even though he was feeling fine. That has us concerned, but so far no official results........ cardiologist Dr Rame was away last week at a conference, and plans to meet with some of the other docs who have worked on Bob to get their input on the results before making his recommendations. The current plan, according to our transplant coordinator, Melissa, is for Bob's case to be presented once again ( along with Dr. Rame's feedback) to the kidney transplant selection committee this coming Friday March 28. So we welcome any and all positive energy, good vibes, prayers and cheerleading on Bob's behalf for that day. The longer this goes on, the more of a longshot it seems to be, so we will take any and all help from friends and family!

In the meantime, he is feeling relatively energetic, keeping up on his exercise, and enjoying every race he watches on TV. Aside from the extreme dietary restrictions due todialysis, he is a pretty happy camper under the circumstances. He did the driving to Sacramento yesterday for a very fun day at Andy and Linsey's, where we both enjoyed a great dinner and a rousing game of Mexican dominoes with Linsey's parents, brother, and sister-in-law! Those of you knowing Bob's interest in game-playing can appreciate what a positive sign this was!

We won't expect an answer on Friday, but hope for information early next week. We will of course share any news as soon as we receive it. Poor Dave has this hanging over his head also - who knew that more than 2 years after offering his kidney, we still don't know our collective futures!

Here's hoping all of you are well and happy and enjoying this great time of year.

Love,

Cherie - and Bob, aka Irving

Kidney Chronicles: March Update

Hi everyone,

Seems like it's always something new to interfere with progress, but we are still hopeful that a kidney transplant will take place one of these days! Just have a couple more hitches to deal with:

Dave's abnormal blood labs are nothing dangerous, according to the hemotologist he finally got to see last week. So now the kidney transplant committee has to review the information and of course put their spin on the matter.

Bob's long awaited appintment for the "final" cardiac treadmill test was yesterday, and I felt confident that he would do well, since he has been working out on a treadmill 3 times per week for the last month at his cardiac rehab class. However, this man does nothing easily. For some reason his blood pressure was dangerously low when we arrived for his test, and after 2 1/2 hours of re-checking his pressure, walking him around, giving him water to drink, and consulting with every doc and nurse in the vicinity, he was sent home without doing the test. The good news is that they decided he didn't have to be admitted to the hospital, so we were very happy to head home together. He will try the test again next Wed. March 12, before dialysis. That timing should be safer for him.

Otherwise he's feeling ok - even perked up on Tuesday and took advantage of that sunny spring-like day to dust off the S2000, put the top down, and take a drive to the top of Mt. Diablo. What a treat that was for both of us! So once again, please cross your fingers and toes and send your positive thoughts our way, and we'll channel all that good energy into success!

Hugs to all,

Cherie