Graduation & New England Fall Trip

Just checking in everyone.  I had the CT scan last Thursday and the 42 lab tests drawn.  The CT scan was uneventful and the tech found a vein for the IV right away and I was finished in 20 minutes.  Walked over to the lab and gave them the sheet with the 42 tests on it.  I was asked if I had been fasting.  It was about 11:00 am at this point.  I told her I’d fasted for the 2 hours prior to the CT scan as requested, but hadn’t been told I needed to fast for the labs.  Evidently 1 test required that I fast, so I asked if they could just go ahead with all the tests, and if I need to re-draw that 1 test later closer to home, I’d do that.

I took a seat and waited.  There were only about 4 people in the waiting room when I arrived, but I later found out they only had 2 phlebotomists working, so as soon as 1 of them grabbed my sheet, the room began to fill as now they were down 1 phlebotomist as she worked on getting all 42 of my test paperwork together.  I could hear her chatting/asking questions to others in the back and at one point heard “heart transplant” so I knew it was my order. 

My name was called to approach the desk and the young, bleach blond tech smiled.  She quietly said…I kid you not…“Hi.  We’re just trying to get all the labs in order and it may take a while, there’s a lot here.  For this one test, I need to know if you are the donor or recipient?”

 I tight lipped smiled, so I wouldn’t laugh.  Understandable question since you can have a live donor for kidney or part of liver.  But my labs said, “Heart Transplant evaluation labs” I’m not quick on my feet to retort something funny back, so I just smiled and said…”I’m the recipient”.  And then took my seat and had to text my sister so she and Ron could laugh! 

After a little while, I could hear that they were out of some of the vials for certain tests, so she was having to call labs around Sacramento to get them delivered.  Only me right?  LOL  

About an hour after I arrived, I was finally called back and after my urine sample, I took a seat in one of the cubicles and looked at all the vials.  The same blonde would be drawing my blood and I joked with her that the last time I did this when I was 16 there had been 16-17 vials, and now that I was 42 and saw the 42 tests on the lab sheet I’d wondered if there would be 42 vials.  Then I asked her how many were there on the tray?  She said, “42!  No…I’m kidding.  I have no idea but it’s a lot”.

I wish I’d thought to take a picture of all of them.  Another tech came in, saw all the vials, and instructed my tech to have my lie back.  She also asked if I had any snacks, and I told her I’d brought some.  My tech said she was waiting on some vials as they didn’t have them in stock, but since I had so many she wanted to get started.  Before she began the draw, the last 3 vials were delivered. 

I counted all the vials.   There were 32 vials. Yes, that’s right…32.  A poke and then vial #1 began to fill…slowly.  I thought to myself, wow…this is going to take longer than I thought.  Vial 2 and then 3 filled just as slow.  Then #4 came and it was a trickle and then…nothing.  She wiggled the needle a bit.  Pushed it in a little further and then the other tech popped in to see how it was going.  My tech told her  it had stopped, tech #2 asked if she wanted her to take over and my tech said yes.  So tech #2 came in and took over which really was a good thing as I had  the feeling she was a bit more confident in her ability.  I noticed her name tag showed that she was the lead supervisor or something like that.  She found a vein in the same arm when I told her the right arm was inaccessible.  She got it the first time and her first vial filled fast!  This was a good vein!  

Still, 29 vials to go, so I was going to be there awhile.  We began chatting and found out she had open heart surgery at Sutter Memorial not too long ago by Nolan’s surgeon when she was 25!  So we had a nice conversation as the vials filled and then ¾ of the way through the vials she suggested I have my snacks.  I felt fine through it all, but Scott said when I walked out my face was as white as paper!  Off to lunch it was!

And just so you all know that our entire lives are not consumed with medical test etc. right now…last Friday, the kids, Scott and Chris spent the day getting the final touches ready for our Back-to-School Luau that we were hosting on Saturday.  Every year since Leah began Kindergarten, we’ve hosted a party for my mom’s group and it’s become an annual tradition.  This was our 6^th year hosting it and I really pushed for a luau theme with roasting a whole pig and the works.  The kids were really excited about it, though I know it was a lot of work for Scott and Chris, since I wasn’t much help.  I just came up with the ideas and off they went to make it happen! 

On Saturday, our friends John & Dave came to help Scott with the pig.  Scott had built a “spit” over his already existing BBQ he’d built for when he would cook for the firehouse Hot August Nite party. 

Later in the morning, my friend Chandra and her 3 girls came and took over all the duties that I’d normally do for the party and between the 5 kids, Chris and Chandra; our yard was transformed and all the party prep was completed by the time the first guests arrived at 4pm.  I could not have made it happen without them! 

But even though I’d hardly done anything all day, what little I did had me feeling wiped out by 8:00 pm.  Luckily we were preparing for the outdoor movie and I was kicking back in my chair, but I could feel my heart squeezing and pumping fast and by 10:30ish when the movie was over I felt as though my body had taken a beating. I said good night to our guests and dropped into bed, while several stayed to help Scott get the yard cleaned up…despite little ones who were tired and ready for bed themselves. 

Monday afternoon, I dropped off the 24 hour urine collection and was told I needed an additional blood test.  Evidently the 4 vials I filled at this lab last Wednesday didn’t count.

My mom and aunt came earlier this week to run errands & pick up the house for me and I've had 2 friends deliver yummy meals to me this week.   It’s very humbling for me the amount of friends and family wanting to help out and I appreciate it all so much!

I have three more tests on tomorrow (Friday), though they are all ultrasounds, so I think it is more like one test covering 3 areas; leg veins, leg arteries and carotid artery.  Next week I’ll have a dental checkup (required prior to transplant), a pneumonia shot and 1 more lab test.  I also have my consultations scheduled for next Thursday.  Another busy week ahead.  Luckily there are rest days in between.

I tried to embed photos from our Luau in the post itself, but my computer wasn't cooperating.  But you can see a few photos if you scroll down to the bottom of this page.

My song this week was recently introduced to me by a dear friend.

BETHEL MUSIC LYRICS

"It Is Well"

Grander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard

Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well

Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me

Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can't see

And this mountain that's in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea

Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well

So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name

It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul

It is well it is well with my soul 

Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You Lord
Through it all, through it all
It is well with me.