SO MUCH TO SAY

Today has been filled with ups and downs. They actually did four procedures on him. First they put him on a ventilator.  A central line was put in his groin because the previous one in his chest was not working well. They also did a right arterial line so they don’t have to bother him taking his blood pressure. Fluids were removed from his abdomen and finally a heart catheterization was done again to get some final numbers. All of these procedures are done everyday; the concern is that Philip is physically compromised. I just kept kissing and hugging him all day.  I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to be unable to talk.

With all of the information acquired, Philip was officially approved for transplant by the surgeons.  His folder was then sent off to the insurance company for their final approval.

The process of being on the waiting list for a transplant is very complex. There are 5 states involved and every organ that becomes available is evaluated for the right person. Every person is given a score that is given on the basis of one’s laboratory work and need. You are then allowed to apply for exception points if you have something like pulmonary hypertension. It then takes a few days for that to get approved. Philip will then be very high on the transplant list. It is at this time comes the worry about blood type and size.

The doctors are clear we are in a race on how long Philip’s organs will last, and how fast we get a liver.