Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.
When is 'here'?
Here is a roller coaster ride of three years later -- a ride that brought me from the brink of death in April 2012 back to being able to play tennis in April 2013 (yes, Joe hit the ball right to me, but I was BACK on the courts! Oh, joy!). A few months of ups and downs followed; however, since October 2014, it has been an almost constant 6-G drop on that roller coaster and it is time to get down to some serious fixing. I hope we haven't waited too long. I am back visiting with the University of Minnesota Lung Transplant team. My only option is a double-lung transplant: Trading one problem for one that will offer a bit more longevity.
I also entertain a second opinion from the Pulmonary Hypertension demi-god: Stuart Rich. He concurs. I need an Atrial Septostomy to bridge me to transplant. I also need to improve my kidney function to increase my chances of surviving the ordeal of transplant. If we can make my heart happier, my kidneys will get happier and return to their baseline function.
How much improvement? My Creatnine levels in my blood are 2.65. I need to get them down to 1.51 to be listed by the transplant team. Dr. Pritzker is confident that if I am a diligent patient, and do as I'm told, I will be able to make it. Finally, I am feeling hopeful.
I'll be a resident at UMMC for a couple of weeks -- until after I recover from the Atrial Septostomy -- If I have to be in a hospital - it's the place to be. The staff is wonderful and caring and they let me be my independent self.
In the meantime, I could use all the good thoughts and prayers that you can offer -- Never have I needed prayers more in my life.
Thanks, Team Vikki for all of your support.
