And the beat goes on...

I’d hope to send this update out with more definite news-one way or the other.  And since the news is still not forthcoming, I thought I’d wait to update everyone.  But I feel it’s still enough information to update everyone on what’s been going on here.

After our glorious Hot Air Balloon/Napa Spa adventure, Scott and I traveled to Stanford on June 15^th/16^th for a few tests & several consultations.  I had a Chest and Abdominal CT scan, 16 vials of blood drawn and then a meeting with the Pre-transplant coordinator, a meeting with a dietitian, and a meeting with the social worker for the heart transplant team.   During my visit, I was once again given accolades for being an “excellent” candidate for a heart transplant. 

We left Stanford tasked with gathering our “posse” of caregivers and a tentative schedule for care post-transplant for the 3 months I will be required to stay in the Stanford area.  And we were told my case would be presented to the transplant committee the following Friday.  

I received a call from the Cardiac Fellow whom I spoke about in a previous blog.  You remember-the one I was blatantly honest with.   She said that my case had “unofficially” been presented to the surgeons on Friday. The heart cath confirmed 100% occlusion in some vessels and signs of narrowing in other areas. The test stumping them right now is my CT of the chest. It was not done with contrast and at this point they cannot see if I have scar tissue/adhesions that have attached to the aorta over the last few years since the last time my chest was opened. That could be a problem as there is a higher risk for cutting into the aorta upon re-entry...guess that would be bad! There were a few other areas of concern, but this was the big one!

 So-back to Stanford we go this week-for an additional unplanned CT scan of my chest with contrast.

There is good news in this update.  I did get confirmation that I do NOT need a new liver.  The liver pressure test came back with a 10 which is below their “12” threshold for further testing.  Between 5 and 12 is acceptable.  Woo Hoo! 

I’ve been a bit more winded the last couple of weeks, and my appetite took another nose dive about a month ago, which is causing me to be more tired than normal.  But surprisingly I’m doing better than I thought I would be doing 11 months from the diagnosis of needing another heart, so there’s that.   I’m grateful for the extra health boost the Lord bestowed upon me after March, allowing me to partake in our annual Fort Bragg camp trip, plan and celebrate a surprise 50^th birthday for Scott, have a nice get-away with my husband for a few days as a very belated anniversary trip, and celebrate 26 years with this heart in style!

I never dreamed I’d be able to do those things back in March when I was down on my knees, crying out to the Lord, that even though I knew the time was coming, I wasn’t ready to sleep the days away.  And He delivered in a Big way!

And I know He’s still working something out here…It’s been a shaky few weeks here and my faith continues to be tested, but He’s been preparing me for this since 2011 when my stubbornness was overcome by His truth.

And as His timing is impeccable, a friend shared this song with me at just the right time.  As always, try to find the song to listen to...so much more powerful listening to the artist.

  

Thy Will

By Hillary Scott, The Scott Family

I’m so confused
I know I heard you loud and clear
So, I followed through
Somehow I ended up here
I don’t wanna think
I may never understand
That my broken heart is a part of your plan
When I try to pray
All I’ve got is hurt and these four words

Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done

I know you’re good
But this don’t feel good right now
And I know you think
Of things I could never think about
It’s hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that you’re God
And I am not
So

Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will

I know you see me
I know you hear me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Goodness you have in store
I know you hear me
I know you see me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Good news you have in store

So, thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
I know you see me
I know you hear me, Lord