It was a really long day for mom.  It started at 9:30 am in the NuclearScience Lab for a test that would monitor the function of her kidneys. They injected a radioactive substance into her veins and tested herover the course of three hours.  Thank you to those who were prayingtoday.  Evidently they had to draw blood at exact times, and the firstone was very close to being missed because they were unable to getmom's port (a permanent port added to an artery in her chest) to workto draw blood.  The port has been great at taking in fluids, but it hasbeen difficult for them to get blood from it.  Anyway, they had tohurry to find a good vein to draw blood.  The second time was not ashurried, but evidently neither time was "gentle."

The only other thing going on today was to see the transplant surgeons,and they were running about two hours behind.  Needless to say, mom wasexhausted by they time that they showed up.

The first young man to show up was Dr. Reddy.  He seemed to be having along, rough day too.  Please pray for him.  Also pray for Dr. Lin. They will both evaluate mom's condition and give the team theirrecommendations on Tuesday.  

They gave mom all of the harsh statistics about the death percentage. Notice I didn't say survival rate...  I know that their job is partlyto give the bottom line and to make sure that the patients are goinginto this with their eyes wide open.  Evidently the percentage of thosethat don't make it is a whopping 10%, but from our viewpoint 90% makeit!!!!!  And at one year, 85% are still living... and at 5 years 50%are holding their own and living life.


Some of the other hard statistics are the fact that she may have tohave a tracheotomy and a feeding tube.  It is also possible that hervocal chords may be damaged in the surgery.  The surgeon also made heraware that there is a chance that if she receives a feeding tube, itcould be for the rest of her life.  He made it clear that if she had tohave one, there would be no argument from her or the family, for thereason that it would save her life, and they could not just let her sayno after receiving the lungs that could have saved someone else's life. 

I believe that they were looking for mom to back out.  I'm sure thatthey look for that in all of the patients that come through, but mom issure about one thing, she wants this transplant, and she wants tolive.  Even with all of the risks, she knows that this is better thanwhat COPD will do to her.


One week from today we will know the results of this week.  Keep praying!!!



Prayer Points:

• Dr. Lin and Dr. Reddy:  Blessings and rest for them personally and favor toward mom.
• Our Transplant Coordinator - Khara:  Easy delivery and healthy birth of her child!
• Mom:  She needs rest, energy for the coming days and open doors through this process.