EXHAUSTED AFTER FIRST DAY

It has been an exhausting day. We began early so that we could be at the hospital for a bone density test. It was no big deal and them off to Vascular-Interventional Radiology. We were meeting with the director of the department who was kind enough to make special time for us as he was not seeing patients today. He took us into a room where the three of us sat at a computer and looked at images of Philip’s internal organs. It seems that there is a vein in Philip’s body that has the blood flowing away from the liver into the spleen and stomach and causing problems with the heart and with the lungs. This kind doctor sat with us for a very long time explaining what he would do and why it needs to be done.  He will do this procedure tomorrow at 11:00 and then Philip will be admitted into the hospital for observation. It seems that there is concern that there could be some internal bleeding after the procedure. We are very lucky to be at UNC as not all hospitals have someone that can do this procedure and rarely someone who has as much experience.

Then off to the transplant psychologist. I think they just want to make sure that we are well informed about what happens, what Philip will need to do after the transplant and make sure we will follow through with after care. It was pleasant and informative.

Next was the liver specialist. He is the most wonderful person and someone I have a great deal of respect for. We have known him for several years and he always tells us exactly how it is. He usually informs us of his thought process. What he is thinking of doing, what his concerns are and what the possible outcomes could be. Right now he is concerned about the fact that Philip’s feet are very swollen and he has severe diarrhea. He does not feel that this is a good time to give him anything for the water retention with the diarrhea. Philip’s overall condition is of concern. We need to get him well enough for a transplant. It is clear the doctor is going to do this one step at a time and deal with things in the order or priority. We will have the procedure done tomorrow, see the pulmonologist this week and have more information to set the priorities.

Philip is in good spirits and very sure that he is going to beat this.