Day 163
Today was the day John was to have had his transplant - in the parlance of the doctors, "Day 1", which is a way of counting rich with meanings. As it was, we went to the clinic for an early appointment hoping to at least learn the outcome of the donor's medical tests.
Each of the nurses came in followed in time by the doctor. Each said he or she had calls in to the National Center, but had heard nothing. They didn't try to explain the delay or interpret it, though there is nothing favorable that can be read from a continued lack of news. I tried to probe about why their calls weren't being returned and got no explanation. When I asked about the status of the search for an alternate donor, theyreplied that they didn't know.
Some of the gap in communication might be related to the change over in staff that has been taking place. Two members of the "Tan" team that John is assigned to have had substitutes in place for the past week. The rotating PA changed this week and his doctor changes this Saturday. Since one was new and the other is finishing his month of duty, I suppose that their follow-up might not have been as persistent as I would expect. It is hard to know, but we were disappointed, and I was disappointed in more than the "answer."
John was pretty down about the situation for most of the day. For that matter, I was too. We talked about it at several points thought over how hard it must be for those waiting for organ transplants - waiting without knowing for how long and waiting for someone to die. We are "fortunate" not to have quite the same kind or waiting to do. It is hard though for both of us to be here and isolated from the rest of our lives, some 4000 miles away.
Courtney's presence has helped in dealing with the wait and the news. She seems to have benefitted herself by being here and seeing John otherwise himself. She and I visited Pike's Market late in the day and I took her to thrift shop at the Goodwill "superstore" here in town. (Thrift shopping is apparently the latest in-thing to do.)
I could go on and feel sorry for myself, but there isn't much point to it. Tomorrow, I hope, is another day and one more to face and look for some hope in.
Each of the nurses came in followed in time by the doctor. Each said he or she had calls in to the National Center, but had heard nothing. They didn't try to explain the delay or interpret it, though there is nothing favorable that can be read from a continued lack of news. I tried to probe about why their calls weren't being returned and got no explanation. When I asked about the status of the search for an alternate donor, theyreplied that they didn't know.
Some of the gap in communication might be related to the change over in staff that has been taking place. Two members of the "Tan" team that John is assigned to have had substitutes in place for the past week. The rotating PA changed this week and his doctor changes this Saturday. Since one was new and the other is finishing his month of duty, I suppose that their follow-up might not have been as persistent as I would expect. It is hard to know, but we were disappointed, and I was disappointed in more than the "answer."
John was pretty down about the situation for most of the day. For that matter, I was too. We talked about it at several points thought over how hard it must be for those waiting for organ transplants - waiting without knowing for how long and waiting for someone to die. We are "fortunate" not to have quite the same kind or waiting to do. It is hard though for both of us to be here and isolated from the rest of our lives, some 4000 miles away.
Courtney's presence has helped in dealing with the wait and the news. She seems to have benefitted herself by being here and seeing John otherwise himself. She and I visited Pike's Market late in the day and I took her to thrift shop at the Goodwill "superstore" here in town. (Thrift shopping is apparently the latest in-thing to do.)
I could go on and feel sorry for myself, but there isn't much point to it. Tomorrow, I hope, is another day and one more to face and look for some hope in.
