August 29, 2012 – Results from the latest trip to the ‘Spa’

We just got back today from our latest trip to Mayo or as we call it ‘The Spa’.  The bottom line is it was a good checkup.  Two weeks ago she reduced her steroid which is one of the anti rejection drugs and the result….(drum roll please)  she had no heart rejection!  Everyone was pleased with this.  Also she had another PET scan and the results… (another drum roll please) no lymphoma!  Her amyloid hematologist was on vacation so he will call next week with an update, there were a few interesting results (we cheat and look at some of the results) so we are anxious to see what he has to say.  We met with her gastro doc and she was pleased that the 6 Imodium a day seems to mostly hold off the diarrhea, we can go even higher than 6 if needed.  She also said that this is Plan A and we already have up to plan D so there are more tricks in the bag if this does not keep working.  We also met with a nutritionist and she gave us some ideas on how to try to handle the ‘digestive issues’ (see previous post for deatils about her mal-absorption issue).  Also she (Margaret, not the nutritionist) needs to increase the amount of calories she eats everyday since so much of it just ‘passes through’ just o maintain her current weight and even more to increase her weight.  According to the charts she is at a perfect weight, not that I think those charts are crap or anything but I know what they say I should weigh and that was my weight Jr. year in High School and I played sports in college and was in pretty darn good shape and I was over the numbers then, now I just ignore the numbers, much easier.  And a few docs had a concern about the amount of protein she eats because of one of her blood work results (albumin) so she will be eating more of protein.

On another topic, we found out that Sister Pat’s last day was today.  She has a new role in the convent.  For those who have no idea who Sister Pat is, she worked at the transplant house and is a very nice person.  If you had a real question or issue at the house you searched out Sister Pat and the problem would be solved.  As long as you followed the rules he was your friend so we got along great. She will be missed.

We just missed Amit and Tallie for her one year checkup, she is doing well and they brought their daughter with them this time.  And for anyone going this year 2^nd Street (the one St. Mary’s is on) is torn up and is now only 2 lanes, one each way with lots of stop signs.  I suggest getting into the ‘old’ house by using the back entrance.  They hope to have it completed before the winter.

Thanks for checking in!