Listing Status #2

Dustin's MELD score did increase to 23.

MELD lab results are as follows:

Sodium 138

Creatinine 1.0

Total Bilirubin 14.0

Albumin 3.5

Ammonia 28

INR 1.8

The above information is the most current. Big Bird is now #2. He is getting very anxious & nervous. This is something that has been needed and wanted for a long time, but it is also very scary, cause you never know just how you might react to any of it.

His hospital quilt is almost done. Just have to make a final decision on the back. We got one hospital gown sewn and put through the wash, gotta pull it out of the dryer and see what if any changes need to be made before making the others.

The above pic is from July 19, the day before his ERCP. It almost looks like two siblings that like each other ;-)

Update

Friday we went to San Antonio again and met with the hepatologist. He was very nice this round. He expressed concern and hope actually. This was a first since we have been going since April.

He concluded that the ERCP they did on July 20 showed that his best option at this point is transplantation. They did put a stent in, but it seems to be causing some discomfort. They also found a hernia in his abdomen. The hernia will be fixed during the transplant surgery. They redid all his blood work, and he came back with a MELD score of 23. This is a point higher than his score from a couple weeks ago. His hep is hopeful that he will be transplanted soon. He has moved up on the list but he couldn't give an official listing status. The person that was ahead of him received a transplant on Friday...so it is possible that he could be #2 or #1.

Prayer Requests.....

As if dealing with Big Bird isn't enough, we found out tonight that my Aunt Karen has some scary health issues brewing. She is in the hospital, and I know that I am at least sending positive thoughts and vibes her way. Hopefully we will know more tomorrow, told my Grandma I would call for an update. She is dutifully staying put and taking care of all the fur babies. It is times like this that I regret that I live so far away from my family....

ERCP & All That

On Friday, July 20 (Happy Birthday to me!) Big Bird had an ERCP in San Antonio. Things went ok, they found that his left half of his liver is completely scarred from cirrhosis, and there was minuscule openings on his right side of the liver. They did place a stent, but were not confidant that it would do any good (surprise there-I really don't know why some doctors just can't listen). Well, later Friday night the pain from the ERCP was so intense that we made a trip to the ER he also had an added symptom of nausea, after 6 hours, we did get to go home. Of course Big Bird was no longer in pain with thanks to morphine.

Yesterday was better, but he pain made an appearance again today. Looks like we will be heading to SA again soon. Hopefully they can see him this week, otherwise, I will have to leave Mom & Big Bird to fend for themselves as it will be hard for me to escape work for 10 days while Miss Edie is seeing the wonders of Alaska (this is where I submit mass amounts of jealousy).

New Lab Results

So Big Bird had blood work done yesterday. His nurse emailed me this morning. He has a new MELD Score of 22. He is #3 in his blood group.

Since I actually have the lovely lab results here are what they look like:

Creatinine = 1.1

Albumin = 3.2

Prothrombin time = 14.8

INR = 1.6

Bilirubin, Total = 11.3

Sodium = 140

Lots of scary numbers. His Bili actually is really good right now, surprisingly. He started having lots of joint pain yesterday, he had grown used it to I guess, cause he wasn't complaining too much this morning.

Big Bird is having some tests done on Friday, so hopefully we will know what the cirrhosis is like in his liver and how bad the scaring is. We are hoping that maybe they will be able to drain some bile as well, that would help with the itching, but who knows.

The Boys

I took this picture a couple months ago when my grandpa was in town. We were driving in downtown Austin, and all the "boys" were all looking out the window at the same time. It was too cute so I had to share.

FALSE ALARM

THIS HAS BEEN A TEST OF THE DUSTIN EMERGENCY BROADCASTING SYSTEM!

We just spoke with Big Bird's nurse coordinator and the liver didn't come through. They think it went to another hospital-so hopefully it is a good match for that recipient.

This has truly been a test on preparedness for all of us. We were able to get him a blessing this morning, and that brought comfort. We certainly now know what we need to do to prepare.

His MELD is still 19, but apparently it isn't a very long list at this hospital, so he is right on up there.

Time to resume normal life, and certainly a time to reflect on what we need to take care of.

The Call???

This morning we received a call from UTHSA that they may have a potential donor for Big Bird. We will know more by 11AM. I am sooooooo unprepared. I should know better. Have been trying to get phone numbers so that we can hopefully get a blessing for Big Bird at least in SA.

Even if he doesn't go, he will certainly need one for comfort after today.

When we know something I will post.....

Love & Prayers to all of you!!!!

Harry Potter

We are nerdlings! I just ordered our tickets to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on IMAX no less. So yes we will be see Harry on IMAX in 3D. That should be interesting. We are even taking Mom along for the adventure.....

I guess the appropriate thing to do this weekend (since we actually don't have a ton of commitments) is to try and have a Harry Potter movie marathon.

Go here http://www.harrypotterorderofthephoenix.com/
you can watch the trailer, they even have some fun downloads and other things for you Potter fans out there.

Birthday Success

We had a fantastic day. Lots of laughs, and lots of "child play". We got nerf guns, and well, all I can say is take cover. There are four around the house now and no one is safe-:-)

Even the puppies got in on the festivities and wore party hats- well at least some of them did. They were not to sure about it. Dusty dog did ok as long as he was able to hug next to Edie. Jasmine was just fine with her bone in her mouth. Bella was annoyed-true to herself that is. And Well we attempted Aukee-and he wouldn't have ANY of it. As soon as it went on, it came right off. Poochie was hiding in a small dark corner enjoying the yumminess of a Baconstrip bone. Suki-every the beauty queen did smashingly well.

We are in the full throws of Birthday Season. Jerry's birthday is July 5, then we have Melissa's on July 18 & mine is shortly there after. Good times. So I am sure I may be able to add another photo spread again.

enjoy the goofiness.