I have not heard back from the transplant team in Chicago on next steps. They have still not qualified me as a donor. The team is getting together on Wed and I will know at that time.
In the meanwhile, Chicago transplant team has "discovered" another issue. Apparently, in one of the urine test done about 3 months ago, there were traces of blood. However, since then I have given two more urines samples in which there were no traces of blood. Last Wednesday, the doctor came back asking me to give another sample. Apparently, they have a 3 out of 4 requirement. I don't mind being being thorough but the drip-drip nature of their investigation and subsequent requests for additional tests is frustrating and stressful.
In the meanwhile, mainly motivated by the shoddy treatment in Chicago, my brother and I have been actively looking at Madison, Wisconsin as an alternative venue for the transplant. Madison has a much bigger center (more transplants per year) and for whatever it is worth ranked higher than Chicago (by US News) (Yes, just like colleges there is a ranking for transplant units). Madison has been collecting all the medical records related to my brother and me and making preliminary evaluations. They keep assuring me that they will not need any more tests and are somewhat perplexed at what Chicago is doing. At any rate, I hope to find in a week (10/25) whether Madison is an option. All things being the same, my brother and I are leaning towards Madison.
So next week hopefully I will know whether I am approved as a donor and depending on that when the transplant surgery can happen. I will keep you posted on where things stand.
In the meanwhile, Chicago transplant team has "discovered" another issue. Apparently, in one of the urine test done about 3 months ago, there were traces of blood. However, since then I have given two more urines samples in which there were no traces of blood. Last Wednesday, the doctor came back asking me to give another sample. Apparently, they have a 3 out of 4 requirement. I don't mind being being thorough but the drip-drip nature of their investigation and subsequent requests for additional tests is frustrating and stressful.
In the meanwhile, mainly motivated by the shoddy treatment in Chicago, my brother and I have been actively looking at Madison, Wisconsin as an alternative venue for the transplant. Madison has a much bigger center (more transplants per year) and for whatever it is worth ranked higher than Chicago (by US News) (Yes, just like colleges there is a ranking for transplant units). Madison has been collecting all the medical records related to my brother and me and making preliminary evaluations. They keep assuring me that they will not need any more tests and are somewhat perplexed at what Chicago is doing. At any rate, I hope to find in a week (10/25) whether Madison is an option. All things being the same, my brother and I are leaning towards Madison.
So next week hopefully I will know whether I am approved as a donor and depending on that when the transplant surgery can happen. I will keep you posted on where things stand.
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