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elvis has left the building…

20-Apr-09

…that is, if my liver’s name was Elvis and my body is a building. I didn’t really have a name for it but it is gone. On Feb 9th, 2 months ago as of this writing, I had a liver transplant at MUSC. Everything went very well. Jill and I are glad to be home now. We ‘lived’ in Charleston for almost a month during the surgery and recovery as I had to remain close to the hospital for daily visits, treatments, labs, etc.

I’ve updated most of our friends and family through Facebook as I don’t keep this blog up on a regular basis. I’m just not a great blogger…or tweeter for that matter.

Thanks to everyone who prayed. God is good. Thanks to everyone who was concerned, who helped us out with visits, keeping Hunter, etc. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Listed

02-Dec-08

I was officially placed on MUSC’s liver transplant list Sunday evening. Waiting on the call now. In mental agony I am.

So, What’s Happening?

26-Nov-08

The following is an excerpt from the email I sent to my team at AnMed just under a week ago. It was my attempt to summarize what is apparently a big deal or something. A funny note after the excerpt…read on.

I thought I would give you all an update on what is going on with me with regards to my health. I usually just update Larry and let him share it when needed, although, I don’t have any objections to anyone knowing if they want to.

Last week [2 weeks ago now] was spent undergoing a barrage of tests to determine my current health and to help determine whether having a liver transplant would be of benefit to me. Wednesday the transplant board at MUSC met and discussed my case with a host of staff including surgeons, specialists, etc. Today [this was written on Nov 21, 2008] I spoke with the transplant coordinator at MUSC and she confirmed what we expected and hoped for; that a transplant will be of benefit to me. In short, this means that I can be ‘listed’.

In about 2 weeks I will almost certainly be officially placed on the liver transplant list for MUSC. After being listed the call could come at anytime. In fact, the call may even come multiple times. I’ve learned that while waiting I may be called only to make the trip to Charleston, be prepped, and then be told to return home because some piece of the puzzle is missing. I have also learned and am thankful that MUSC has one of the shortest average wait times in the country at around 3 months. My wait time will likely be much shorter than that as more transplants are performed during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season than other times during the year. My blood type will also put me towards the top of my category.

Once transplanted, I will be in the hospital for a time to begin recovery. The first day or so will be in ICU and then the remaining days will be on a transplant recovery unit. Once released from the hospital I will be required to stay in Charleston for a minimum time of 2 weeks. These times of course depend on how well things go, complications, etc.

I just wanted to make sure everyone on our team knew what was going on. I also wanted to express my thanks to everyone. You have all made the past months easier whether it was simply being patient as I deal with good days and bad days or if you covered for me while out or took call when I was unable to. Thank you all. I’ll keep you updated.

I suppose that letter could apply to all of my family, friends…whoever. Even unicorns because I like them. Jill and I are thankful in advance for whatever help God sends our way in your form. Myself, I am thankful for whatever help you can give to Jill through this. She will need it more than I will. After all, she will have to deal with me and believe me I know how to whine and invoke emotions of sympathy and desires to gift gifts to keep me happy.

And, this post wouldn’t be appropriate without special thanks to my Liver Campaign Finance Manager, the one and only, Brad Cheshire.

Ok, and now the funny note I mentioned. As project manager of the Intranet at AnMed Health (also known as the Employee Portal) I have many conversations with people from other departments as we Work together making the Intranet useful for them. Needless to say, this requires lots of meetings, training sessions, demonstrations, etc. Over the last month as I have become confident of the upcoming time away from Work, I have had to communicate this to other users…more of a warning that we can go ahead and plan for this, schedule that meeting, set that deadline, etc. Well, sometimes I catch myself just sort of casually mentioning that I might be out to have a liver transplant…with the same tone and concern that I might have if I were to be out for a teeth cleaning. You can imagine the surprise from the other person…and then the surprise I feel when I realize that to them it’s not their life. It consumes me everyday so I have become very ‘used to it’. Anyway…that’s what’s happening.

what were those pictures of anyway?

25-Nov-08

I realize now that the previous post contained nothing but pictures. No comments, no descriptions, no unicorns, no nothing. Now, I’ll try again and fill you in:


This was the sunset the first night in Charleston.  It was amazing how fast it disappeared once it got down to the tree line on the other side of the river.
This was the sunset the first night in Charleston. It was amazing how fast it disappeared once it got down to the tree line on the other side of the river.


This was also a sunset that evening.  Probably 5 minutes earlier though.  And cropped.
This was also a sunset that evening. Probably 5 minutes earlier though. And cropped.


This?  A group of angry birds flew over.  Apparently they were trying to do what the clouds were doing with the pointer/arrow shape.  Wrong direction though birdies.  Gheesh...idiots.
This? A group of angry birds flew over. Apparently they were trying to do what the clouds were doing with the pointer/arrow shape. Wrong direction though birdies. Gheesh…idiots.


alt=”This is of us and Newt. I had the Nikon on a tripod and was trying out my new remote shutter.” />
This is of us and Newt. I had the Nikon on a tripod and was trying out my new remote shutter.


alt=”OK, this is obviously of something bad. Really bad. In fact, it’s the only picture that really represents the title Test Week in Charleston. A needle was in each point at some time earlier that day. ABG, Labs, Dobutamine Stress, and a missed stick were among the culprits.” />
OK, this is obviously of something bad. Really bad. In fact, it’s the only picture that really represents the title Test Week in Charleston. A needle was in each point at some time earlier that day. ABG, Labs, Dobutamine Stress, and a missed stick were among the culprits.


alt=”This was also a view from our hotel room balcony the first night. It’s of the bridge near our temporary residence.” />
This was also a view from our hotel room balcony the first night. It’s of the bridge near our temporary residence.


This is of the same bridge the following morning.  Almost the same angle and area too.  Only difference...the fog ate the bridge during the night.
This is of the same bridge the following morning. Almost the same angle and area too. Only difference…the fog ate the bridge during the night.

Test Week in Charleston

13-Nov-08

medical tests

11-Nov-08
Yesterday I had the first of a series of tests to be done this week. The EGD was done at AnMed Health here in town. This was Monday at around 12noon. Although I requested as much sleepy juice as possible I still remember the terrible gagging and dry heaving from attempting to get the scope down. The last time I had an Endoscopy test done using Conscious sedation I also had memories that stuck around. The amnesia effect is just not powerful enough to overtake the mind of Lee. I suppose the Haitian guy from Heroes might be able to pull it out but he probably has a high cost with that ability and all. In an hour or so we leave for Charleston…MUSC…for the remainder of the tests. They will range from needles to simulated treadmill runs to space man breathing aparatuses to peepee in a jug. Oh yeah, did I mention X-rays and Ultra Sounds. I am beginning to understand where the creative mind behind the show Heroes gets his ideas. He must have to go through these tests too and secretly wishes that a group of people with special powers could just hang around and grab the data. Wish us good travels. Allow us to covet your prayers. See you back in town. We miss you already Little Lee.

Streaks

10-Nov-08

Why the change? It’s not like anyone noticed when I fell off the Earth back in July. In fact, you may not even realize this blahg has changed. I am all about streaks.
When I started this way back when, I soon used ‘at least 1 post per month’ as a means to motivate myself to author a new post at least once a month. And it worked until it no longer worked. After I missed a month, I told myself it would be ok. I even continued to write every so often for a while. Now I’ve realized that the streak is over.
I need a new beginning.
The new title: Banana Liver
The new streak: I Woke Up Again This Morning. Well, optimiscally that’d be ideal. But who am I kidding. That’s another thing I’m never gonna do. So, how about the old streak becomes the new one.
The terms: Banana - Yellow fruit/tiny seeds. Also my nickname. Jill gave it to me because I like bananas, banana pudding, banana shaved ice, banana Laffy Taffy. Banana Stand is even my favorite episode of Arrested Development. Liver - I need a new one.
May the streak be with us all.

hi

09-Jul-08

I don’t write much. There is the occasional late night post where I attempt to get all deep and stuff. Right now, it’s only 11:26. So, it’s not one of those nights.

loving my new lens

29-Jun-08
Here are a few shots from the NewSpring Live Free Live Loud 2008 Concert: www.flickr.com/photos/banana98/sets/72157605870367966/ Here

today

08-Jun-08

I got this: