Dear friends and family,
Bob/Irving delegated this edition to me - he's happily tuned into watching the beginning of the racing season in Daytona and does not want any other distractions! So we know he is feeling better now that the Season has begun.
His cardiologist at UCSF and nephrologist from John Muir have agreed that he needs to start on dialysis, even though his kidneys are still working a bit. They want him to get rid of all the extra fluid he's carrying, to help reduce his pulmonary and cardiac pressures. So, moving right along, he will check into John Muir Hospital early Tuesday morning, and have an access tube installed. Sounds like they will put him through one or more treatments of dialysis before sending him home. After that he will go to a local center one to three times per week to continue the treatments, depending on how he does. By March 6 the cardiologist hopes to see definite improvement when he repeats the right heart angiogram.Then
maybe he will get onto the transplant waiting list at last, but we know now not to assume anything!
As always, he enjoys hearing from everyone, even though he is not often taking the initiative in making contact......contrary to some opinions, he does not have a broken finger! Thanks for all your positive thoughts, prayers and support. We know it's making a difference!
Cherie
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Transplant Tribune: Recent Updates
Dear friends and family, here's Bob/Irving's latest update. We are racking up the miles to UCSF, and in spite of all the detours in the transplant plan, feel hopeful that it will happen when the time is right! The team there is very attentive and supportive, and keeping a close eye on blood pressure, fluid retention, diet, attitude and all that keeps these things in order.
And now from the main man:
Greetings everyone,
My right heart cath indicated high pulmonary pressure which eliminates placement on the transplant list at this time. The course now is to treat this condition with medications and recheck in early March, with another right heart catheterization. Dialysis has been strongly suggested within the next coupla of months to ease this pressure by getting rid of excess fluid as well. Not my favorite course at this time but my kidneys will not get any better either although for now they are still functioning. The doc thinks dialysis would help both my kidneys and my heart, so we'll see what the verdict is and go along with it.
One plus in this is I have an excellent cardiologist at UCSF who seems to be very focused on my situation - he is proactively working to get me listed, in spite of the transplant surgeon's less rosy prognosis: he suggested that Dave stay available to give his kidney, and then we wait for a heart in a second operation, in spite of the cardiologist's feeling that my heart would not do well during a kidney transplant. Bottom line, nothing is definite, but we are inching forward still.
And now from the main man:
Greetings everyone,
My right heart cath indicated high pulmonary pressure which eliminates placement on the transplant list at this time. The course now is to treat this condition with medications and recheck in early March, with another right heart catheterization. Dialysis has been strongly suggested within the next coupla of months to ease this pressure by getting rid of excess fluid as well. Not my favorite course at this time but my kidneys will not get any better either although for now they are still functioning. The doc thinks dialysis would help both my kidneys and my heart, so we'll see what the verdict is and go along with it.
One plus in this is I have an excellent cardiologist at UCSF who seems to be very focused on my situation - he is proactively working to get me listed, in spite of the transplant surgeon's less rosy prognosis: he suggested that Dave stay available to give his kidney, and then we wait for a heart in a second operation, in spite of the cardiologist's feeling that my heart would not do well during a kidney transplant. Bottom line, nothing is definite, but we are inching forward still.
Thursday, October 5, 2006
Kidney Chronicles Oct. 2006
Dear Everyone-
On Thursday I went through the first major invasive part of the transplant process by having my cardiac catheterization at UCSF, with somewhat mixed results. The best news is that so far my kidneys are still functioning despite the caustic dye the put in to see the heart flow. There appear to be some problem areas that need attention but were not repaired with this procedure. The cardiologists feel the need the results of a chemically induced treadmill before trying any repairs. So the cath will have to be repeated and it is not yet clear how long or if this will delay the transplant.
I thank everyone for the good wishes and prayers. I especially appreciate my brother-in-law Dave Cook for this awesome thing he is doing for me.
Bob/Irving
On Thursday I went through the first major invasive part of the transplant process by having my cardiac catheterization at UCSF, with somewhat mixed results. The best news is that so far my kidneys are still functioning despite the caustic dye the put in to see the heart flow. There appear to be some problem areas that need attention but were not repaired with this procedure. The cardiologists feel the need the results of a chemically induced treadmill before trying any repairs. So the cath will have to be repeated and it is not yet clear how long or if this will delay the transplant.
I thank everyone for the good wishes and prayers. I especially appreciate my brother-in-law Dave Cook for this awesome thing he is doing for me.
Bob/Irving
Monday, December 5, 2005
Kidney Chronicles.....Dec. 2005
Dearest friends and family,
Many of you have been wondering about the status of Bob / Irv's anticipated kidney transplant, and we wanted to efficiently but personally update you on the progess of this major undertaking!
Brother-in-law Pat Caples has been undergoing tests as a prospective kidney donor since June '05, and although we were told he was a "match" back in August, additional tests and scans have resulted in UCSF's decision to withdraw him as a donor at this point. We so appreciate all the time and energy ( and samples, not to be named) that he put into this quest! We expect him to thrive after undergoing the most extensive physical exams anyone could ever experience!
We are very lucky now to have a back-up donor ready to take on the challenge: my brother Dave is already on day 3 of harassing the staff at UCSF to get his tests started - even after hearing about all that Pat went through!
Bob/ Irv, meanwhile, is managing to stay off dialysis so far, and although he is very lethargic and not too chatty, is still able to enjoy life in Livermore, especially with the occasional company of the family or friends. We are working on walking daily to improve stamina ( that goes for both of us) and keeping up with all the usual doctor's appointments.
So, no big announcements, but it seemed like time to share his status with everyone important to us. We shall see if a Christmas letter gets done, but at least you know the important stuff!
Our best to you all,
Cherie and Bob / Irv!
Many of you have been wondering about the status of Bob / Irv's anticipated kidney transplant, and we wanted to efficiently but personally update you on the progess of this major undertaking!
Brother-in-law Pat Caples has been undergoing tests as a prospective kidney donor since June '05, and although we were told he was a "match" back in August, additional tests and scans have resulted in UCSF's decision to withdraw him as a donor at this point. We so appreciate all the time and energy ( and samples, not to be named) that he put into this quest! We expect him to thrive after undergoing the most extensive physical exams anyone could ever experience!
We are very lucky now to have a back-up donor ready to take on the challenge: my brother Dave is already on day 3 of harassing the staff at UCSF to get his tests started - even after hearing about all that Pat went through!
Bob/ Irv, meanwhile, is managing to stay off dialysis so far, and although he is very lethargic and not too chatty, is still able to enjoy life in Livermore, especially with the occasional company of the family or friends. We are working on walking daily to improve stamina ( that goes for both of us) and keeping up with all the usual doctor's appointments.
So, no big announcements, but it seemed like time to share his status with everyone important to us. We shall see if a Christmas letter gets done, but at least you know the important stuff!
Our best to you all,
Cherie and Bob / Irv!
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