Post by Don Clark on Nov 9, 2013 18:54:06 GMT -5
I am home from the trip to Kansas City, doing remarkably well. It was one enormous week. Started off so wonderfully with the visit with Paul Schlimm. Such a great time, and I can still not believe I was part of reconnecting Paul with his cousin Al, who I had met prior to this summer's Swannanoa week. I then spent 5 days at the Mid America Heart Institute at Saint Luke's Hospital.
Here is what transpired - Biggest single event was the implantation of a defibrillator, which I had not anticipated at all. That went very well, not a hitch at all. Not in any more than normal discomfort than anyone having a foreign body installed, getting along fine. Absolutely fascinating technology - functions as both a pacemaker if there is a rhythm hiccup or as a jumpstarter if that need would arise. In my situation neither is needed so it sits there on standby monitoring (greatly extends battery life) Mainly for insurance. Also has bluetooth technology that sends reports, through a transmitter I'll get soon and plug in through the phone line, straight to KC and Saint Luke's.
The short version of the week's activities is this - I was evaluated for a heart transplant. Huge stuff, huh? At the moment, I'm still pretty much on overload. Will take a bit of time to assimilate and process. We are all doing well with this so far. Having been examined from every angle from top to bottom (literally ). Very specific criteria has to be met, massive amounts of data gathered. The transplant team will meet this coming Tuesday 11/12 to review my case and render their decision. It could go either way, with different levels of need considered. We have already begun studying the options available to me if transplant isn't one. I am in fairly good health, all things considered, but pulmonary function might preclude me (my guess from talking to the lung Dr.). Too many years as a smoker, even with 9 years off of them. I have an ongoing dialogue in progress with Pete Huttinger - who is using one of the devices I might have to consider. I will also be looking to see about discussing actual transplant experience with Stephen Bennett. Both guys should be very valuable.
Can't drive for a week, letting surgical site stabilize some. Might be hard to avoid, but I'm trying to minimize higher emotion and want to keep that in check best I can. Some of that can't be helped at this time, but it also raises stress levels more than I like. I'm getting stronger daily in that respect, but again......this is a huge thing to process. I'm glad I'll find out very soon - then I can focus on what I'll have to do.
Interesting side note - the only system that wasn't looked at was auditory (obviously no relevant connection to cardiac issues). So I presume now that whether I get a new heart or go a different route with treatment, I'll still have a few more years to live, love, serve, play guitars, and walk around saying "What??!!"
As there will be frequent updates, especially with Tuesday's decision coming, etc. - Todd, Marty, or Cheney.....would one of you please pin this up for a while? Thanks!
I really am doing pretty good with all this. Still some shock factor, but with the reality of our mortality being faced that is expected. One day at a time, could go any number of ways.....glad I'm not in the driver's seat.
Here is what transpired - Biggest single event was the implantation of a defibrillator, which I had not anticipated at all. That went very well, not a hitch at all. Not in any more than normal discomfort than anyone having a foreign body installed, getting along fine. Absolutely fascinating technology - functions as both a pacemaker if there is a rhythm hiccup or as a jumpstarter if that need would arise. In my situation neither is needed so it sits there on standby monitoring (greatly extends battery life) Mainly for insurance. Also has bluetooth technology that sends reports, through a transmitter I'll get soon and plug in through the phone line, straight to KC and Saint Luke's.
The short version of the week's activities is this - I was evaluated for a heart transplant. Huge stuff, huh? At the moment, I'm still pretty much on overload. Will take a bit of time to assimilate and process. We are all doing well with this so far. Having been examined from every angle from top to bottom (literally ). Very specific criteria has to be met, massive amounts of data gathered. The transplant team will meet this coming Tuesday 11/12 to review my case and render their decision. It could go either way, with different levels of need considered. We have already begun studying the options available to me if transplant isn't one. I am in fairly good health, all things considered, but pulmonary function might preclude me (my guess from talking to the lung Dr.). Too many years as a smoker, even with 9 years off of them. I have an ongoing dialogue in progress with Pete Huttinger - who is using one of the devices I might have to consider. I will also be looking to see about discussing actual transplant experience with Stephen Bennett. Both guys should be very valuable.
Can't drive for a week, letting surgical site stabilize some. Might be hard to avoid, but I'm trying to minimize higher emotion and want to keep that in check best I can. Some of that can't be helped at this time, but it also raises stress levels more than I like. I'm getting stronger daily in that respect, but again......this is a huge thing to process. I'm glad I'll find out very soon - then I can focus on what I'll have to do.
Interesting side note - the only system that wasn't looked at was auditory (obviously no relevant connection to cardiac issues). So I presume now that whether I get a new heart or go a different route with treatment, I'll still have a few more years to live, love, serve, play guitars, and walk around saying "What??!!"
As there will be frequent updates, especially with Tuesday's decision coming, etc. - Todd, Marty, or Cheney.....would one of you please pin this up for a while? Thanks!
I really am doing pretty good with all this. Still some shock factor, but with the reality of our mortality being faced that is expected. One day at a time, could go any number of ways.....glad I'm not in the driver's seat.