Good News

We got the call we were anxiously waiting for this morning, telling us that Pete has been accepted into the Lung Transplant Program.

The next step is the 6 week physio program, which will start on Monday April 21st and finish on Friday May 30th.

We are still waiting for the paper work.....will get back to you then!

Final Day of the Assessment

As we head out bright and early, we are thankful that it's the last day of the assessment week.  It tends to get a little tiring.....but good practice for what will hopefully follow.

First at 7.30 am we are at the University of Alberta Radiology Department and Pete begins with a CT Chest Scan (many precise pictures of the structures inside the chest), followed by a 2-part Nuclear VQ Chest Scan (of the Pulmonary air flow and blood flow of the lungs).

Then 3 different x-rays need to be done, a Chest X-ray (of the structures inside your chest - lungs, heart, blood vessels, etc.), Thoracic X-ray (of the 12 chest bones) and a Lumbosacral Spine X-ray (of the 5 bones of the lower back).  This all takes about 4 hours....

Now we head back to the Hys Centre's Cardiology Dept. and at 1.00 pm Pete has an Echo Cardiogram (Ultrasound of the heart).  Here's he's gone for another hour and finally there's a bit of extra time where we can grab something to eat. This fasting for many of the tests makes a person hungry and looking forward to that cup of coffee.

At 3.00 pm Pete has his final test, a Carotid Doppler's exam (ultrasound of the 2 carotid arteries in the neck).

We are finally home about 6.30 pm and yes, it's been a long busy day.

Now we wait till all the results come in to the Lung Team who will meet on Wednesday morning and decide whether they will accept Pete into the Lung Transplant Program.  They all seem very positive, but there is a certain protocol that they must follow.  It's our prayer that the results will dictate a "yes".

Day 3 & 4 of the Assessment

We arrived bright and early at the University Hospital and then the usual wait takes place (with Pete dressed in a lovely blue & white gown with a back split & even prettier blue matching slippers).  But there's always lots of details to go over and getting the patient ready for the tests.  The staff in all these different places are awesome!

First we met with Dr. Mullen one of the Lung Transplant Doctors who went over the ups and downs of the surgery, really making clear to Pete the different scenarios that could happen.  At this point Pete has already signed the papers for the transplant.  It's interesting that he did so when the tests haven't even all been done yet!  This doctor did say that it was nice to see a healthier patient than what is the norm for him.

We have also met one of the Anesthetist already.......more questions and going over what will occur.

They went through the artery in the neck for the Cardiac Catheterization and an artery in the wrist for the Coronary Angiogram (I think that's the correct match up).  They said all looked good.  We have a printout of the test and there are a few areas that are blocked in the 40 to 50 range, but they don't worry about it till it hits the 70's.  Once again things all look good for Pete.

We now have to stay close by and spend the rest of the day at the Outpatients Residence  which is attached to the University Hospital.   Just 2 single beds and a bathroom, but it works and it's only $20.00 per night/per person.  Pete does just fine and we grab a bite at the hospital restaurant. 

We get up early and head to the Hys Medical Centre where Pete has an Abdominal Ultrasound and then followed by a Bone Density Scan.

They have moved some of the tests over to tomorrow.  So we grab some breakfast and thankfully head home early for a change.

I get to relax and Pete heads off to work.  Tomorrow morning we leave again at 5.30 am for the last day of testing.

Day 2 of the Assessment

Today we got to leave a little later because the Pulmonary Function test at 9.00 am was cancelled.  Pete had this test on January 13, 2014 and it was close enough in time that they could use those numbers. 

The roads weren't too bad....just a bit slippery in the city.  Shari was heading into the city too and we weren't to far behind her and when she found herself in a traffic jam on the Anthony Henday she phoned us and we rerouted to Groat road and arrived at the University of Alberta right on time.

First thing we met with the Heart Transplant Cardiologist.  He wanted to meet Pete and then basically explained the how and why of the Cardiac Catheterization & Coronary Angiogram which will happen tomorrow.

Then the Lab took more blood for another test needed, but just 1 vial this time!!!  Just an interesting note....we asked the nurse what Pete's blood type was and she told us that it was "A" and that this was good because apparently blood type A patients do much better in the recovery process.  Sounded good to us!

We headed off to the Rehab and here Pete did the 6 minute walk test.  This is where they do comparison stats of before and after.

Then we were off to have the Bronchoscopy done. This took awhile and basically they insert a viewing scope into your lungs to check out the breathing passages and look for things that would stop them from doing the transplant.......they had given him a mild sedative and numbing spray to numb his mouth and throat (Pete says that they use "something that looks like a WD40 can, just fancier to do this").  Dr. Weinkauf did this one and he said that it went okay and that they didn't find any cancer.  Something we are very thankful for.  On the way home I asked Pete how it went and he says that he had fallen asleep and missed it all and was disappointed because he had wanted to see the inside of his lungs.  That would have been neat.

That's it for today.  We leave at 5.15 am tomorrow and have to overnight it in the city.  We are staying in the Out Patients Rooms of the University Hospital.  Home is too far away in case a bleed starts.

Day 1 of the Assessment

This morning we headed into the city at 5.30 am already.  We arrived at the Kaye Edmonton Clinic (across from the University Hospital) right on time for our first appointment.  They gave Pete piles of bottles for all the samples they need and he kind of worked on those through out the day. 

Can you believe that they actually took 17 vials of blood!  Some of the vials were put on ice and others were wrapped in foil.  Pete was impressed with the blood lab.

Next the ECG, which was quick and just fine.

At this point we already met with the dietitian and I'm glad that she figured Pete had a pretty good diet!!!

We had a nice visit with Dr. Kapasi.  He asked a lot of questions and he too feels that it's time for Pete to proceed with the transplant. 

Then we had a long visit with the social worker.  She covered a lot of things, from fiances, drug coverage, accommodations, travel, etc.  Just making sure that all bases are covered.  We had already filled out all sorts of papers for her.  We have to be prepared for things like two drugs that Pete might need which are $3000.00 each per month!  Hard to fathom that they can be so expensive.

We met with the lung transplant coordinator Marianne and she basically did teaching regarding the transplantation.  Very friendly woman.

We were done at 3.00 pm and then Pete finally got coffee and food. 

Time for a major snooze after a day of information overload.  But still, a good day.

The roads are getting a little nasty, so we'll head our early again tomorrow.*

The Purpose of this blog

For those who would like to know what's happening in Pete's journey for a Double Lung Transplant.

This is a 5 step program
1 - Assessment - March 3 - 7, 2014 - done
2 - Acceptance and Waiting - done
3 - Surgery / Transplant - done
4 - Recovery and Rehabilitation - done!
5 - Living with a Transplant - thankful for each new day given

The blog is open to everyone and please feel free to leave a comment.