Update #4 - Barbara's Pre-Op - 7 Feb

Busy week!  Karen and I spent all week preparing for her mother's arrival.  Saturday afternoon we were finishing up the last of the "to-do" list, then we drove to Ontario, CA to pick Barbara up at the airport late that evening.  It felt so great to hug the woman that is giving a kidney, so Karen can get one in return!

Today Barbara had her pre-op appointments and Karen had a cardiologist appointment at UCLA.  I was supposed to go with, but Lena became sick yesterday, so stayed home with her.  Very disappointing to not make a doctor's appointment, but Lena needed her daddy.

So...I mentioned Karen had a cardiologist appointment.  If you've read the previous updates, you will remember that Karen has had some odd things happening with her heart, specifically, heart palpitations.  Earlier this week, she raised the ante a bit, and awoke from a dead sleep with her heart racing as if she just finished a sprint.  Her heart rate has been very low recently; 50-60 beats per minute resting heart rate.  Two weeks ago, in the emergency room, I noticed when she fell asleep, her heart rate dropped below 50 bpm, which set off an alarm.  This alarm would jolt her a bit, taking her heart rate back above 50.  Karen thought when she awoke from the sleep that possibly her heart rate had dropped very low, and her body jolted her awake.  Seems to make sense to me.

Because of the recent heart issues, Karen was referred to the UCLA cardiologist.  When she told him (today) of her being awakened from sleep, he decided to order a 30 day heart monitor WHICH WOULD DELAY THE TRANSPLANT!!!!!  That was NOT a fun call to receive from Karen.  Are you kidding me???  Back to square one????  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Apparently Karen's cardiologist and transplant surgeon had a discussion, and they decided the best course of action is...........to go ahead with the transplant.  God is good my friends!  VERY unnerving 45 minutes today.  So all is well on Karen's transplant front.  Her mother's donation on the other hand, is still in the works.

Unfortunately, a day or two before traveling to California, Barbara found out she was NOT a good match to the recipient which was scheduled for the 25th of February.  It was very heartbreaking for Barbara, as she has put her life on hold, to give the gift of life to others.  Today she met with the doctors to discuss the situation.

First on her agenda was more blood tests.  While in the lab giving blood she saw Sidney Portier!  That will probably only impress one reader of this post, our dear friend Tammy.  After her brush with fame, she met with the transplant team, which informed her they are shooting to have her donate on the 23rd of this month.  Please say a prayer and keep your fingers crossed that this will work out.  As if giving an organ is not stressful enough, imagine being two weeks away, and not knowing exactly when/if it's going to happen!

For now, Karen is all set.  My next post should be as we get ready to leave for the hospital (Monday or Tuesday).  If we receive an update on Barbara, I'll be sure to post.

Cheers,

Bob