Clinic Visit

Today was Ron's clinic visit - he has labs done once a week - but it's been a month since he's seen the doctor(s).  They were astounded that he's driving and back at work.  I think the word of the day was GREAT!  Here's the breakdown of the visit:

Prescriptions:
Bactrim (antibiotic) - this is his last month; once he takes his last pill, that's it.
Valcyte (antibiotic) - one more refill and he's done.

Problems:
Swelling in his left foot and ankle - the doctor is not sure what the problem is - he suggested Ron see his primary care physician and perhaps be referred to a vascular specialist.....in the meantime, the doctor said when Ron's at work with his feet under his desk - he should wiggle them about!

Bloodwork:
The word GREAT was used again; the doctor is very happy with Ron's bloodwork.  There is a TINY issue though - his albumin is a little high - it could be the Bactrim - the doctor said Bactrim can cause the swelling - since Ron is on his last dose of Bactrim - we should be able to see that in his future bloodwork.  Ron will continue to visit the lab for blood weekly.  His next clinic appointment is in 3 MONTHS - can you believe it?!!

Weight:
They are thrilled with Ron's weight - at one time he was down to 135, and today he was 154.....YAY for weight gain (I never thought I'd be saying that).

Suggestions:
The doctor would like Ron to see a cardiologist; for those who have read the blog from the beginning, you'll remember when Ron was going through the pre-transplant testing we weren't sure he would pass the cardio test..........they did see some calcification - and in the end - it was chalked up as.......Ron is 63 and it's probably his age.

Since they did see the calcification and Ron's newest oddity - feeling his pulse in one ear - Ron will be seeing a cardiologist - just to see how he's doing.

When people ask how Ron is doing (and they do, several times a day) - I say he's GREAT!......and he is.

 Right now Jerry is going through liver transplant surgery, probably in the recovery room, and Chandra is waiting to see him........Chandra take heart in our journey - although a bumpy ride - it's all worth it!

Jerry and Chandra

It feels like Christmas morning - Jerry and Chandra received their 'call' last night.  I met Chandra through our blog.  Jerry needs a liver and last night they received the call - Jerry is in the beginning stages of his surgery. 

It's a scary time - and I think what got me through that time (support and prayers); I felt a sense of knowing that Ron would come out of the surgery OK.  The waiting during his surgery, with family and friends there for support, was a great distraction.  I knew when I turned Ron over to the surgeon and his team, they 'had' him - and they did.

So prayers are going out for Chandra and Jerry!

Check out Jerry's Journey
http://jerrysjourney.blogspot.com/

Even Better News

Today Ron went back for the results of his PET scan (lungs) - a lung biopsy was done after his bile duct repair surgery (February 18th), on a mass, and the results came back benign. 

The doctor wanted to keep an eye on it - so Ron had a PET scan earlier this month..............and.............the mass is smaller.  YAY!  It was 2.0cm in February and now it's .8cm; the doctor wants a follow up CT scan in 6 months........everything looks great.

I don't know if anyone out there deals with MEDCO for prescriptions...........here's a word of warning  - check and double check the communication between MEDCO and your physician. 

Ron has always been prescribed generic - well - today Ron calls MEDCO about a prescription that hasn't arrived yet (actually he's out)........anyway, they mentioned they shipped out his Cardura........and the copay cost is 127.00..........WOAH!...Cardura is the brand name drug..........the generic drug copay cost is 15.00.......but the brand name drug has been shipped and guess what - they don't accept returns........and if we don't pay for the Cardura - they won't send any other of his medications.......including his anti-rejection drugs.  Basically - they have us over a barrel.

A good use of a calendar

Calendars are great - every doctor appointment - added to the calendar (you can only imagine what our calendar looks like).

Tonight we were sitting talking about a doctor appointment I have scheduled tomorrow...........and Ron said, "Hey, I wonder when my PET scan appointment is?"........I joked and said, "Gosh, I hope you didn't miss it?" 

He checked THE CALENDAR - his PET scan is scheduled for TOMORROW @ 8:00am in Marietta (all the way across town in Atlanta rush hour traffic).

When Ron experienced pain 13 days after transplant - an MRI showed a bile duct leak and a mass on his lung.  A few days after the duct repair surgery; a biopsy showed a benign mass.  Due to all the anti-rejection drugs he's on - IF there's a  'seed' of cancer anywhere in his body - it will "sprout like flowers in the springtime" Dr. Johnson told us...............so, Ron is having a PET scan to verify there are NO OTHER growths in or on his lungs.  We'll get the results next Tuesday.

Thinking positive thoughts!

Happiness

I love the newest photo of Ron and our youngest grandson, Braylen..........Ron has a 'giggle' on his face.

A foot with a mind of it's own

Ron had an ultrasound on his lower leg and foot today -  (preliminary report) no blood clot - but they're not sure what's going on.

Ron is on a pretty high dose of Rapamune (6mg a day) - the doctor called today and said his blood is saturated - to reduce his daily dose of Rapamune to 5mg.

Tomorrow the doctors will go over the ultrasound report .....and give us a call.   We may be making another trip up to Piedmont Hospital in the near future.

Ron was extremely tired today.  We've had a lot going on - that may be the reason.

I'm scheduled for an MRI (w/contrast) Monday to rule out Sacroiliitis.

Slipper Day

Ron wore slippers to work today.  Several days ago he noticed his left foot was swollen - this happened several weeks ago - and it resolved itself.....not this time.

Ron spoke with his post transplant coordinator yesterday - they want him to come in Thursday for an ultrasound - hoping it's not a blood clot - but honestly, I can't imagine what else it could be.  

Ron is feeling good - I think he's a little worried.  He's told me several times - he doesn't want to go back in the hospital.  I don't blame him!

2 Months

Today is April 3rd.
Ron received his new liver February 3rd.

We are grateful.

Ron is an active guy - just 8 weeks since his transplant and 6 weeks since his bile leak surgery.

He's driving

Went back to work

Loading and emptying the dishwasher

Vacuuming the livingroom

Working on his car

Walking our dogs
Grocery shopping
Taking trash cans down to the street
Playing in the sandbox with Oliver

Takes Oliver to the Dwarf House (through the little door) in Fayetteville

Ron takes his vital signs twice a day - with the help of his three apprentices (Lady Belle, Trouble and Gen. Cornwall Beauregard, Beau)

Beau is double-checking Ron's entries

180 Degrees

He's come a long way; I've been reintroduced Ron Cook.  It's been years since Ron's had so much energy....he sees some little detail that needs doing and he takes care of it. 

Okay, maybe he has taken it a bit far - one night this past week he was up at 2:00am cleaning door knobs with Lysol wipes (when your immune system is all but missing - you tend to have germs on your mind).

Another night he was up cleaning bathrooms at 2:45am - a blessing yes, but is he getting enough rest?

He sleeps about 5 hours a night, keep in mind - pre-transplant he was up every 45 minutes running to the bathroom from all the fluid retention and diuretics.  Anyway, I don't think he's getting enough sleep - I mean, 5 hours used to be one of his afternoon naps before he'd wake up long enough to eat dinner - then back to bed for the night (or 45 minutes snoozes). 

Ron went back to work - weeks before released............  It is suggested 3-6 months before returning to work......Ron went back 7 weeks after surgery.  I must come to his defense on this one.  Ron is a salesman; he sits at his desk and sells all day long - so when he said he was ready to go back to work - he went.  He comes home every afternoon refreshed and excited about work.

With Ron's new found life, I have to be honest, it's not been easy - he's more sure of himself, looks to me less to do things for him; he wants to be in charge (I'm not used to that, it's a give and take, and I'm trying to let go more).

I'm proud of Ron, I'm proud he didn't give up and didn't let me give up.......at times (silently) we weren't sure he was going to make it.  He loves his family - and his family loved him through it all.