Here we go...

OHSU does not mess around.

I think I've spoken to one or more of the transplant coordinators or one of their schedulers every day for a while now, and that's probably going to continue. I've scheduled a slew of cardiology visits, device checks, meetings with the transplant surgeon, pharmacist, social worker, nutritionist, and palliative care specialist. I had some labs and a chest x-ray yesterday. I have a two hour patient class scheduled and I have to get checked out by a dentist. Again, I have to be checked out by a dentist as part of my heart transplant evaluation.

With all of this going on, I'm going to have to cut back on work in a week or two. I've also informed my school that I won't be able to teach after this term. That's going to be real hard, but once I'm on the transplant list, I'll absolutely have to stop working. I guess that just means we're getting closer, and that's good news, but it's still tough.

I do still worry about whether I'll get approved for a transplant, though everyone has gone out of their way to tell me what a good candidate I am. I'm worried about money, my relationship, my dogs, and everything else that has been getting more difficult recently. As it turns out, this is a fairly stressful ordeal. I do not recommend it.

I should have a lot more to say over the next few weeks, I just wanted to make a quick update here.

Weight: 211.2, Symptoms: So much fatigue, some shortness of breath, weakness, light-headedness