Part 1
Johnnie above, just arriving at the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center for his first appointment. Which consisted of Registration, Consultation with the doctor and meeting with his Liver Transplant Clinical Coordinator.
At first, we thought that we had ran into a problem. We found out that the center would need to get finincial approval from Medicaid before beginning his actual evaluation process. It was fine though. We were happy to be there. Johnnie met with the doctor and she explained the different steps that he would have to complete before being placed on the transplant list. He was also told that the evaluation process would take at least (10 - 14) days to complete. Monday - Friday from 8a - 4p. During these time periods he would be testing and taking a class to teach us how to care for him before and after the surgery.
August 6, 2004
We just received word, that Johnnie's first appointment to begin his evaluation process has been scheduled for next week. (GOD IS GOOD!)
August 11 - 13, 2004 (And the Pre-transplant Evaluation begins!!!)
What a long week Johnnie had. He took a series of test. 21 tubes of blood to were drawn, Chest and Bone X-ray, Pulmontary test performed, Bone mineral analysis, skin test, pictures of his heart taken, he visited with a psychologist, and had an ultra sound of his abdomen and carotid artery. Wow...We both were tired. I was by his side every day.
August 16 - 20, 2004
Another long week but not as many appointments in each day as last week. This week consisted of Bone scans with nuclear medicine injections, transplant financial visit, colonoscopy, endoscopy, ophthalmology visit, a liver transplant educational class with lots of information given in a folder and a diet pre-group instruction. Not to forget, we met our social worker. And, now we are resting and getting ready for next week. The rest of his appointments are pretty much consultation with other members of the transplant team. Possibly on September 8, 2004, Johnnie's records and test results will be presented to the transplant team committee and a couple days after that we should know if and when he will be placed on the transplant list. I'll keep you posted.
