The time has come to start searching through the lists of research projects! We've taken enough time off. We got Bill's records from Texas and now I'm going through them and making some notes on diagnosis, LVEF, tests results...things like that. I don't understand half of the stuff, but I need something to compare to the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the studies to know if it is worthwhile to pursue a particular study.

I'll try to do better writing here, also. If there aren't any new posts, it just means that there's no new news and I don't think you want to read about what we had for dinner or what the weather is.

Since the big let-down from Houston, we've taken some time off to regroup and refuel. Spent a very relaxing week at Pickwick Landing State Park in Tennessee on Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River. I've concluded that I need to live by the water, not to swim or boat or fish, but to just sit and watch the water. Mornings on the balcony with my coffee were very peaceful, until the swimming pool opened!

We've started searching for another research program. There are so many to read through and decipher all of the medical terms! Bill contacted Houston to see if they would send a copy of all the tests to him that were done. Don't know if they will or not.

That's where we stand now. We're not giving up unless God leads us in another direction. That may have been the plan all along, we're just to blind to see it right now!

It's now official. After a week of ups and downs, we've heard from Houston. As of Monday it was tentative to be there on August 1 to start the process. As of yesterday morning, it was definite...we were to be in Houston on Monday. Nichole called this morning and said that the project manager had removed him from the study because of his allergy to the cath dye. For those of you who don't know, he breaks out in hives and itches from head to toe. The study doctor had even called in the presciption for Prednisone that will prevent the reaction (we picked it up yesterday). She also said that no exceptions were made but they could not take the chance on the adverse reaction. Bill said right after he got off the phone with her the hospital called and wanted to pre-register him for the procedure. He just told them to check with Nichole and he wouldn't be coming. He did let Nichole know that this was not really good practice. Every time it was at the last minute when things were changed or we knew anything.

But, even though this has been disheartening, we are not giving up. We're going to start searching again for other studies. He was just surfing the net when he found this one, so we'll look for some others. We are going to take off this week-end and get away from everything and just kinda regroup for a few days. Don't know where we're going or for how long but someone, probably Emily will know how to find us and most of you have our cell numbers anyway.

So, until there is some news, hope everyone has a good week-end.

The last 2 days, today included in this, have not been really good. Bill has been very tired and has no energy at all. He thinks that his blood pressure is really low again, and it could be that. He has had no color in his face, or he's very flushed. Of course, he's feeling the pressure of not hearing from Houston except to tell us there are problems. It seems that he has not patience with anything and every comment he makes is negative, whether it is something under his control or not. An example is our trip to Jonesboro yesterday. I was driving and he didn't like the exit I took from the parking lot, then the traffic didn't move fast enough when the light changed. He finally admitted that he didn't feel well shortly after that, although he perked up a little when we got home. Last night the weather radio went off and granted we both jump since it is in the bedroom. Yet, he didn't even find out what the alert was for, storm or tornado, but turned it off and then unplugged it! Kind of defeats the purpose of having the thing! Today he was almost manic and very jolly, even cooking breakfast. Yet at church he said he was very tired and it was all he could do to make himself get out of bed this morning!

I know that it is mostly the meds that are causing the fatigue and 1 has been cut back. But I have noticed a change in his memory with the lower dose. I also think that he has deteriorated some as far as his heart goes. If he just wasn't so hard-headed about saying when he doesn't feel well!

Well, that's my venting for the day. Maybe tomorrow will be better and we will hear from Houston soon.

It seems there is a minor glitch in the process. The information from Memphis was not the right information. Nichole was all upset saying if she had known...Anyway, I contacted Dr. Burnett's nurse Susan and she got it straightened out, we think. It turns out that the heart cath in March was only a right cath and not a left/right cath as we thought. So there is only a written report, not a CD image of the process.

We have also found out that the cutoff date for enrollment is August 4. We should definitely know something by then. Only another 10 days to wait, if that long! So, we're still in the same place we were before as far as making plans go.

I'll let you know when something happens!

Folks have been wondering why I haven't posted anything lately and the answer is...we don't know anything yet. We do know that the tests from Memphis were sent to Houston on Friday but as of yesterday Nichole had not received them. Maybe today. I think that they probably have reviewed the tests they did and will be able to make a decision as soon as they see the last cath, but that is just my thinking. However, since we do know the tests were sent, we should hear something in the next few days.

It's a cool rainy morning. I just wish I had a covered porch to sit on with my coffee and watch it rain. Today it seems to be very peaceful, just rain.

Until the next post, have a great day!

We are done with doctors until September! That is unless Nichole calls and tells us that Bill has been enrolled in the study. She did call today to see if we have let the transplant team know that they needed the last heart cath and she said that everything else looks really good.

Spent about a minute or so with Dr. Garrett. Everything was ok with him and he said he'll see us in 3 months. So, no appointments until Sept.1, again on the 8th and then Garrett in October and another heart cath done then. He will have to have one every 6 months. Only lab work in August and that can be done in Blytheville.

Hopefully now we can rest from all of our travels before we pack up and go somewhere else. We still need to make a trip to Illinois and Bill has talked about going to Branson. He's never been and wants to see it. Of course, all of that will depend on hearing from Houston. I'll keep everyone posted. You will know just as soon as we know.