UNOS is the acronym for the United Network for Organ Sharing. It is the entity that helps to ensure that organ donation is fair and equal and that as many people benefit as possible from donations. I encourage everyone to educate themselves on organ donation and make your wishes known to your loved ones who will be called upon to decide to donate (http://www.unos.org/index.php).
In addition to organ donation information, they have beautiful tribute pages for those who have given the gift of life through donation (http://www.donormemorial.org/).
One of the questions we have asked in regards to Alex's transplant is how we can thank the family of the individual who must pass away in order for Alex to receive a new liver and all the things that go with that. It is totally up the donor family to decide if and when they want any correspondence with us. When that time comes, I hope they do, because I would want them to see something amazing come from their tragedy.
I am writing this in part due to processing the tragic loss of someone that Alex and I used to know fairly well. Their family was generous enough to provide others with a chance at life despite their horrible loss for which there is no explanation at this time. I commend them for their bravery, compassion, and kindness. Nothing can bring back the person they loved. As someone standing on the other side of this kind of situation, I cannot pretend to know how they feel or will continue to feel. But I can speak as someone who loves an ill person who will one day benefit from someones sadness. The donor is never forgotten. Someone will get up everyday and be thankful for their life because of that donation. Someones children will have a parent, a parent will continue to have a child. And will the degree of sadness that is inevitably attached to the fact another family will have to miss out on these things ever leave? Not for me. I have no idea when we will receive Alex's new liver due to another tragedy. I do promise, however, to always appreciate it and never forget where it came from.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Dr.'s Visit
So, we made the trip to Seattle on Monday, with Alex at the wheel and yours truly
in and out of fever after a weekend of being sick (again--pretty much devoted all of January 2012 to one upper respiratory infection or another. And with being stressed and not sleeping, well, I was a sitting duck) and getting on a new antibiotic plus an inhaler from the dr. on Monday a.m. I have to say, I was in and out of it for the better part of 3 hrs between Spokane and Cle Elum, which made the trip nice and quick, for me at least. I pretty much continued to feel bad until today.
Anyway, the dr.'s visits were crazy this time, running between 3 different places was less than fun. Parking was not bad but very expensive (total spent for one day of dr appts--$18). Our insurance did not have things in line so that was stressful. We for the first time had a long wait at the UW (1+hr) and then were told that there was a mistake and the lab had not done our bloodwork right, so it was back to the lab, then back to Virginia Mason (where we were earlier for an appt) to get an MRI/MRCP done. Long story long, we left Seattle at 6:30 and got home at 12:15 am. By God's Grace I was able to make the entire drive home as Alex was not feeling good.
Anyway, lots of gripes for this trip. Today we got a call from our main Dr's office letting us know Alex likely has strictures in his billary ducts which have been making him sicker lately. We are going to head over for an ERCP (would explain but it's likely better and faster to google) to dilate the strictures and get him feeling better. Yikes. We are going to rack up some serious miles on I-90 at this rate. Blessedly, my boss is kind and understanding and only says 'Do what you need to do'. Yes, she is amazing, and yes, I am very, very grateful for her!
Please pray for this up-coming procedure. It's not a 'huge' deal, but it's stress non-the-less. Your prayers, for Alex's health and my sanity, are always appreciated!
in and out of fever after a weekend of being sick (again--pretty much devoted all of January 2012 to one upper respiratory infection or another. And with being stressed and not sleeping, well, I was a sitting duck) and getting on a new antibiotic plus an inhaler from the dr. on Monday a.m. I have to say, I was in and out of it for the better part of 3 hrs between Spokane and Cle Elum, which made the trip nice and quick, for me at least. I pretty much continued to feel bad until today.
Anyway, the dr.'s visits were crazy this time, running between 3 different places was less than fun. Parking was not bad but very expensive (total spent for one day of dr appts--$18). Our insurance did not have things in line so that was stressful. We for the first time had a long wait at the UW (1+hr) and then were told that there was a mistake and the lab had not done our bloodwork right, so it was back to the lab, then back to Virginia Mason (where we were earlier for an appt) to get an MRI/MRCP done. Long story long, we left Seattle at 6:30 and got home at 12:15 am. By God's Grace I was able to make the entire drive home as Alex was not feeling good.
Anyway, lots of gripes for this trip. Today we got a call from our main Dr's office letting us know Alex likely has strictures in his billary ducts which have been making him sicker lately. We are going to head over for an ERCP (would explain but it's likely better and faster to google) to dilate the strictures and get him feeling better. Yikes. We are going to rack up some serious miles on I-90 at this rate. Blessedly, my boss is kind and understanding and only says 'Do what you need to do'. Yes, she is amazing, and yes, I am very, very grateful for her!
Please pray for this up-coming procedure. It's not a 'huge' deal, but it's stress non-the-less. Your prayers, for Alex's health and my sanity, are always appreciated!
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