Part 2
This week was fairly easy. Johnnie had four (4) appointments this week, each were consultations, except the last appointment; he had to have an MRI. Why? Well, his Transplant Surgeon ordered it, because they were baffled. Baffled because they couldn't seem to locate the cancer. Yeap, the cancer had appeared to have disappeared. Funny, how all this started was because the first hospital said he had two (2) legions (tumors), one being 1.5cm and the other almost 3cm, the second hospital said we only see (1) legion. The third wasn't even sure if it was even there.. (God is good)
August 30 - Sept. 3, 2004
This week began on Wednesday, Johnnie had to meet with his Hepatologist. She went over his test..All of his test were good, however we were given some very unexpectant news...Johnnie has been diagnosed with Hemachromatosis..This is a genetically inherited liver disease. Basically, he has a iron overload. (To learn more, click on the Hemachromatosis link) Interesting...Anyway, I'll keep you posted..Johnnie will be presented to the Transplant Committee on Wednesday of next week and from there we should receive a letter in the mail that tells us if and when he will be listed.
September 6 - 10, 2004
This week, Johnnie's case was presented to the transplant team, and they felt as if Johnnie is a good candidate for transplant. However, they think that he needed to take another stress test for his heart. When he did the first stress test, Johnnie had to be given oxygen and he had shortness of breath. This could pose a problem. So, he was scehduled for another stress test next week.
September 13 - 17, 2004
This week, Johnnie took his stress test again, (they did this for two days). On Sept. 14, Johnnie got bad news that his father had passed away. (Some news to receive right before a stress test, hun?) Anyway, he took the news alot easier than I thought he would. On Thursday, Johnnie found out that his stress test came back negative, all is well. The transplant team agrees that he will be a good cadidate. Now his information will be submitted to Medicaid for approval. We attended the funeral for Johnnie's father on Sat. the 18th.
September 27 - Oct. 1, 2004
Wow, what a week! Medicaid finally approved Johnnie for transplant. He was scheduled to have blood work done and then the next day (Friday) he was scheduled to have chemo-embolization. Also, Friday Oct. 1, 2004 at 2:30pm Johnnie was placed on the Liver Transplant Waiting List!!!!!!!! The news came after Johnnie was admitted into the hospital after his chemo-embolization treatment. Johnnie spent the night in the hospital, we went home on Sat. Now the wait for "The Call" begins. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us. Prayer changes things!
OCT 6, 2004
Hold on to your hats everyone!!! "The Call" from the transplant center came at 2:31am... Wow...The phone rang, I glanced at the clock, it said 2:31. My first thought was, Oh Man, we have missed Johnnie's 2:00pm appointment..(Keep in mind it was really 2:31am and my brain was still in sleep mode). So I picked up the phone and said "hello". The voice on the other end said "Hi" its Mayo Clinic calling for Mr. Johnnie Worthen. So I turned over and nudged Johnnie, he said "hun" and then fell back to sleep. I said "well he is sleeping" she said "may I tell you?" I said sure..She said "We have found a liver! I said "You did!" She said "Yes". So, I paused for a second.....She said "do you have any questions for me? besides the fact that I called and woke you up so early. I said "Don't even worry about waking us up, its ok"...So, I said, no questions right now.. She said ok. Now go to the emergency room and tell them that you got a call for a liver transplant. I said sure thing.. I hung up the phone..."Johnnie" they found a liver" Johnnie said "FOR REAL? I said "Yes, baby, they found a liver, lets get up and go!!!
