September. Their office staff is hard to get a hold of, no reminders for that visit and I neglected to call to ask when the appointment was. Meanwhile, I had developed a blood clot in my leg and my anemia was being treated with epo and I was starting to feel better. I gave my blood and asked them to be sure to get the order from Dr. Tank for my nephrologist visit next week. I don't like to give so much blood all the time. That worked out and then I had a short visit with Dr. Orwall. My white count and platelets are pretty much the same, but my hematocrit is near enough to normal, at least where they want it to be. They don't want it to go to high because it raises blood pressure and it can cause blood clots. Well, it has done that already. She implied I may have to be on blood thinners while I am on the epo. I will have to ask Dr. Tank. She also gave me a good lecture on my needing to not resist treatment, when I basically refused to get a flu shot. I am waiting for someone to convince me that I need one. Maybe it would be a good idea, but I know what doctors would say, so who do I listen to. I have to listen to myself. (I forgot my camera for that visit.)
The next visit was my introduction to the Transplant Process. Two hours with
the social worker and one with the financial counselor. The state of the medical world is that if you have a major medical problem, you need some one to advise you and help you navigate the world of insurance and medicare. I probably know more than most people about insurance and it is confusing to me. Anyway, the first picture is of one of the John's, who is a transplant coordinator. He was very nice and may be the John that navigates me get through all the procedures, appointments,etc. Joy and Jonathan came along to here about the ins and outs of the process. Joy also got to get a picture of her possible role as a donor although that wasn't the point of the visit. So where do I start. First, I would like to know when to start following the path. With all the checkups that I need, and then that the donor needs, it sounds like it will be at least 6 months away. So my big question is, if I still feel as well as I do now in 6 months, why would I need a transplant. What is the optimum time to make a move. I really don't want to move too soon. Is any time too soon? I am one of the luckier patients and my donors possibilities are lucky too that we live in Portland. Oregon and especially Portland have short waiting lists if I go with a cadaver donor. We are close to home for all of the necessary visits, of which there are many after a transplant. Jonathan has time that he can take 
from work to take care of me. PWS would have to do without me, but there would be time to prepare for that.The picture on the left is of Cari, the social worker and Lisa, the financial counselor. All the people I met had wonderful senses of humor. Is that how you say that? Lisa knew all of the ins and outs of the insurance, well not quite all, but had some suggestions as to how to work the 2 insurances and medicare. It will add up to quite a lot even with the insurance.
So now they will get all of my reports from all the doctors I have seen in the last two years and from them will see if it is time to go on with all the other tests including another colonoscopy. Oh, goody.
