Coming up for air...

How horrible that I haven't been able to squeeze in a post at all in the past few days. Wanna know why? Goodie... what follows is a lesson in how organ transplantation (specifically liver transplantation) works.

My mom has had an autoimmune disorder since 1991 called Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. The short explanation is that her body is attacking its own liver. A couple of weeks ago, my sister went down to Jacksonville, Florida, with her to the Mayo clinic for evaluation for the transplant list. My mom has been on the cusp of eligibility for years now.

After having been poked, prodded, photographed, irradiated, and all other manner of invasion (they ARE thorough), she also had to go to a transplant psychiatrist, financial counselor, support meetings, and meet her actual transplant surgeon, should she go on the list. Once all the doctors involved in her care over those 9 or 10 days signed off on her being ready for the list, then they actually had to present her case to a transplant committee, who has the final say so.

Anyhoo, being that while she was there, they found she had hepatopulmonary syndrome, typical in end-stage liver failure, she was placed on the list, pretty close to the top, just under the "imminently dying" patients. She will have to relocate to Jacksonville within the next two weeks. And wait.

So, between all the long-distance familial drama and the in-my-face-daily familial drama, some days it's all I can do to get through the day without forgetting to put on pants. I really am hoping that I get to settle down soon, because I miss the blog. When I get back, it may take a few subject twists & turns, but that's okay, since there are quite a few of my fellow bloggers who do such a good job covering the green issues, I think it frees me up to do other stuff.

No links today... if you're interested in any of what I've said, Google it all... I have a football game to attend. SO not what I had in mind for a Friday night... SIGH!

Comments

[Blue Like the Sky]

I think it would be a great service to the planet for you to turn your considerable writing skills and insight toward the health care system for a little while!

Vaya con Something or Other!