Didn't think that I would post anything over the week-end but decided to anyway. We were really looking forward to the 2 days off. However, we've picked up a little bug somewhere and both of us have had a little stomach upset. Bill seemed to do better with it yesterday than I did, but he said his is still upset this morning while mine seems to be better.

We've eaten very lightly, soup and crackers and toast. He's gone back to bed and I'm considering it. Since we have no plans for the day that may be the best thing to do. Hopefully by this afternoon we will both feel better and want to get out for a little bit.

Will update later to let you know if we are both better.

Seems like tonight's entry is being made a little earlier than the last ones. Again it was a very long day. At the clinic by 7 for labs and the last procedure wasn't until 4. We left the clinic in the rain at 4:30 and I found out what rush hour traffic is like here! To get to our hotel when we come off of the highway I need to get over 3 lanes of traffic immediately. Tonight it was impossible! When ended going to the next major intersection and turning right then making a u-turn (which is legal here since most of the roads are divided) and backtracking. Got back to the room right at 5.

Bill had not been able to eat after 10 this morning so I started getting him something to eat as soon as we got back. I've since cleaned up from that and done 2 sets of books and talked to Emily and the girls. Kenna can't wait for us to get home next week. Of course, her birthday is coming up and she wants us there for that.

Nothing major was done today. He had another neurological consult just to make sure that there was no dementia or damage from the TIA he had in 2000. The first doctor we saw was very young and we think still in training. After he made his exam he consulted with another doctor who repeated some of the same tests and explained to the first doctor how he does things. But, we both thought it was very commendable for him to get another opinion if he was not clear on anything.

We are really looking forward to having the week-end off and being able to sleep in a little. We're both pretty tired still. Of course, we're going to try to look for some housing and I have to find a post office to send some things to the office. Other than that we may not do much at all! Then we only have 5 more appointments on Monday and we are done! Tuesday will probably be another house hunting day, but since we don't know what the final decision will be we can't really lock anything in.

Don't know if I will update over the week-end or not. We will just have to see how things go. All for now...good night all!

Today was an easier day, but still busy.

We neither one slept well last night and I still had my headache when I woke up. Our meeting with the financial advisor was short and sweet. They will accept the Medicare assignment as payment in full for most things and Tri-care For Life will pick up the rest. Tri-care will also save us thousands of dollars each month for medications. We are so very fortunate in that respect.

We also met with the surgeon this afternoon. He does not really recommend using the heart pump. He said that because the "drive line" is outside the body and has more of a chance of infection. Bill has really been considering the pump since it would mean a shorter stay in Jacksonville and that surgery can be scheduled. But, the doctor is an organ transplant surgeon so, to my mind, of course he would prefer to transplant the organ instead of a mechanical assist device. We're still going to see what Dr. Yip has to say about it and we don't see him until Monday afternoon after all the tests have been done.

After all of the appointments and consults, the case will be presented to the transplant committee which meets every Thursday. Dr. Agnew, the surgeon, felt that Bill would be presented next week.

We are both looking forward to the weekend so we can sleep in a little. We're going to see if we can look at some condos and I've been doing a lot of online research for those. Needing one fully furnished with utilities included is a long process. But, until we really know when we will need it we can't make a decision. I've noticed that we are both getting a little testy with each other, but it's all due to being with each other 24/7 and being so busy. At least we recognize that we are tired and we are trying to give each other some space. Not really easy to do in a hotel room!

All for tonight. We have to be there at 7:30 in the morning for labs and the last test isn't scheduled until 4. But, then we have 2 days of r & r!

More tomorrow!

The long boring heart cath day was very surprising to us! We neither one slept well last night. Missed the end of the baseball game and then was up and down all night.

The cath was done differently today. Instead of using the artery in the groin, which necessitates a 6 hour resting period with almost no movement allowed, a vein in his neck was used. The cath lasted about 30 minutes and he walked back into the waiting room with a small bandage on his neck and we were done for the day!

We spent the day in our room. Bill slept most of the afternoon in the recliner and just fiddled around with things. Looked at the computer some and read some. We need to start looking for a more permanent place to stay so I was researching rentals. All of that has led to a killer headache that meds are not knocking back any. We've eaten and cleaned up the mess and now I'm just about ready to call it a night to see if sleep will help.

Oh a very bright and different note, our granddaughter Brianna sent us a text today saying she is going to be baptized on July 24! That was my grandmother's birthday! But, Bill will be in the hospital in Memphis getting ready for his dental surgery the next day so he won't be able to attend. But maybe I can sneak home for the day so that I can report back to him! She's turning into quite a young lady and we are very proud of her!

Tomorrow is another full day so I'm going to try to rest! Goodnight all!

Much easier day today!

We tried to watch the home run derby last night, only made it to the end of the first round and didn't see who won the bat off! Both of us slept much better last night and felt more rested this morning.

Our first stop today was with the infectious disease doctor. Bill has to repeat the Hepatitis B shot. Apparently the ones he had from Memphis didn't take because his blood work did not sho any antibodies. Not a major problem and it can be done after we get home.

Since we had 3 hours to kill we came back to the hotel to do some research on medications and just rest. But on the way back our coordinator called and said there was a change in the schedule. Bill was supposed to have his treadmill test this afternoon, but the dr. decided that he wanted to have all of the other tests done first, especially his device check, so that has now been scheduled for Monday. And, our appointment with the nutritionist that was scheduled for next Tuesday was now scheduled for this afternoon. So, Bill could relax because he was really stressing over the treadmill.

We saw the nutritionist and she was very pleased that we were already following a basic healthy heart diet, especially low sodium. After that we saw our nurse practitioner and she was pleased with his overall health. His blood pressure was still low. The first time she took it he was laying down and it was 80/70 which is a very weird reading. The second time it was 80/60 standing. The strange thing is that most people with a pressure that low wouldn't be able to function, yet he's up walking around and talking.

We got back to the hotel about 4 and we've since had supper and got that cleaned up. We're going to try to stay up long enough to watch the All Star game, but don't know if that will happen. Tomorrow is heart cath day so it will be another long day with Bill laying flat for most of the day. Uncomfortable for him. At least I can get up and move around. May take my laptop with me tomorrow so I can update this earlier since I don't know just when he will get released. We will have to see how the morning goes.

Have a great night everyone! Try to stay cool if you're in the heat wave states (and most of you are)!

What a day!!! Up at 5:30 and at the clinic by 7 to start the testing. Labs, chest x-ray and ekg. Bill finally got to eat something then but was very weak. They took 15 tubes of blood, and since it was all fasting labs he didn't have anything in him to boost him up. We then went up to the floor for his pulmonary function test and they were able to get him in about an hour early. He got finished before I had to go to the caregiver class. We then met up just in time for his allergy tests and then could leave for an hour and half.

After a quick trip to McDonalds for lunch and the gas station for a fill-up it was back for an easier afternoon. We met with our coordinator Julie for about an hour and learned so much more than we had learned in Memphis. We were able to get in to see our social worker Elizabeth an hour earlier and that is a good thing since we were with her for nearly 2 hours! She also gave us some homework to do and a wealth of information. We are really on brain overload!

Got back to the hotel and made a grocery list and went shopping. We are both so tired that I don't know if either of us feels like cooking, but we also don't feel like going out. I did pick up some deli tuna salad and egg salad so maybe it will just be sandwiches tonight.

After listening to everything today, we are really disappointed that we went through the process in Memphis. We were not told most of the stuff we learned today about the process. And it seems that the information should be pretty standard at any center. For example no eating at buffets or salad bars after transplant because you don't know who handled the utensils before you and if they were sick or not. Or, no rare meat and unprocessed egg or dairy products, raw fish, etc. Memphis had told us none of this!

But, we will just chalk it up to experience and move on. Tomorrow brings the infectious disease dr and then the dreaded treadmill test, before seeing the nurse practitioner.

Oh yes, we told Julie that his blood pressure is staying very low and when she took it the highest she could get for a top number was 78! They have taken him off the Diovan to see if that is what was doing it.

So, all for tonight. Have a good night everyone!

I should have updated this a month ago! Mayo has said that they will list Bill so we are back in Jacksonville. Testing starts tomorrow and we have full days every day!

One of the drawbacks to being listed here is that we will have to relocate within 2 hours until a heart is available. Another option we have is to get the Heartmate II heart pump implanted. That would only mean a relocation for about 3 months. That surgery can also be scheduled so we would know just when we would have to be here. I have the information on short-term rental properties and after we talk to the transplant folks again and get some questions answered, we will make a decision on that. He could get the implant and still go on the transplant list and would be at the top of the list for awhile so that is still another option.

I'll try to update this daily after we get back to the hotel. I don't know if I'm going to bring my laptop to the clinic everyday. I may bring it on the day of the heart cath since we are pretty much in one place for several hours after the procedure. The other days we are moving around a lot between the clinic buildings.

So, continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We have a long couple of weeks ahead of us!