Post #10

OK - so I have left two little "tid-bits" out so far...  or maybe I was just saving the best for last!

On October 2nd, I returned to Moanaloa for a COLONOSCOPY.  In the past I've had the pleasure of having these done here on Maui, but this time, since I now need to be innervated and an Anesthesiologist is involved, it has to be on Oahu.  I am very happy to report however, that the staff there was great, everything went well (yes, I was entirely out for the whole thing) and at least I don't have to go through that again for another 5 years.

And last but not least, here's the one that really GRIPES my Okole...!  The one remaining thing (besides the re-evaluation on the swallow test) I have to comply with is the completion of a 6 month Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program.  Evidently because I (readily) admitted to drinking between 12~15 beers A WEEK - I'm considered an Alcoholic, and in need of counseling. 

This particular circus began about 2 months ago. Early on, when I first spoke with the California Lung Transplant coordinator the subject of "alcohol" came up, and I could tell there was some concern on her part when she responded, "Well, you'll have to stop drinking for the transplant." Which was fine, as I'd discovered in some of my research that "no alcohol" was imperative for the transplant process.  Since I had no problem "not" drinking, I simply figured that whenever I got on the list, it'd be time to stop, and I would.  NBD.  Well, guess I was wrong about that.

It was while I was on Kauai visiting some High School Friends (Sandy Saemann & JC Agajanian) that I had a conversation with the California Transplant Social worker who almost had a tissy fit that I was still drinking.  So, I put in a call to Dr. Kahn and we had a short discussion and to keep peace, I agreed to stop right then and there, August 12th.  And I did.

It wasn't until I got back on Maui in September that I got into a Catch 22 situation with the California Social Worker who was insisting I needed to participate in Substance Abuse Rehab Program (SARP) only to find that no one in Hawaii knew what I was talking about.  Evidently California and Hawaii Kaiser programs are different...  Anyway, it took about two weeks and a visit to my Maui Social worker, several more phone calls, a visit to the Wells Street Behavioral Health Sciences Clinic and several conversations with the Substance Abuse Counselor, Frank Zaminski, to sort that out. 

So, the end result of all that is I currently am required to attend three meetings a week, in Wailuku with a bunch of Court appointed alcoholics and crack addicts, plus a weekly "random" urinalysis. As much as this is an inconvenience (hour over to the other side, hour for the meeting, and an hour back home) and hassle, what do you suppose the reaction is when the person in my position "complains" to the "system" about it being unreasonable...  Everyone just goes "Oh, sure... that's what they all say!"

So, I've nothing to do but go along with it, do my time and get 'er done...

"I'm not one of these people who likes to do as little as possible. I really do feel the hot breath of time on the back of my neck these days. And there are certain things I want to do before my time is up."  - Brian Dennehy

Post #9

I need to start by back-tracking for just a bit, I was going so fast I missed an important date...Earlier the week of my Cardio Cath (August 28th), I had to go over to Oahu for my first visit to Nuclear Medicine!

August 25th, NUCLEAR MEDICINE - LUNG SCAN   This was at Moanaloa and for once I didn't need a companion.  So, I put on my big boy pants and went it alone. Welcome to the High Tec Folk of Medicine...  I've been quite impressed with how NICE everyone I've encountered through all this testing process has been.  They're pleasant, personable and prepared. Today's tech was very apologetic that I'd have to wait an additional 5 minutes while they "warmed" the barium solution they were injecting so I wouldn't be uncomfortable.  When I thought he was just getting the IV ready for the procedure and commented, "Well, that wasn't so bad, so far..."  He replied, "Yep, all done."  I
didn't even realize I'd been injected.  Then it was onto/into the big scanner.

In between here (on August 28th) I had the Cardio Cath - see the prior post if you missed it.

September 2nd, NUCLEAR MEDICINE - BONE SCAN  Moanaloa again, this time I first had to have a different type of dye injection, and had to wait 3 hours for it to circulate through my system.  The Nurse (ironically Blonde and named Amanda), encouraged me to walk around, drink lots of liquid and do "whatever I wanted"... she actually said, "GO HAVE A BEER!"  Now THAT my Friends, is health care at it's finest.  No... I didn't have the beer, but I did go have a grand meal in the Cafeteria and a Gatorade.

September 3rd, ULTRASOUND - Carotid Artery.  This was done at the Wailuku Clinic on Maui.  Seemed to take quite a while, but was painless.

September 3rd, FOLLOW-UP Dr. Gordon  Right after the Ultrasound I had my follow-up for the Cardio Cath.  Good news, my heart, main artery and veins are all just swell.  Good pressures, no blockage and all in all, in fine shape.  She said that was probably the last time I'd see her, and with a smile, she said, and that's a good thing.

September 11th,   FOLLOW-UP Dr. Kahn  Confirmed that Cardio Cath went fine, all testing was done for now, and just to be sure... she was going to order another Chest X-Ray for today.  Presuming that didn't show anything new, she'd see me in 3 months. 

So, this would seem to be a good place to leave us for now... Until next time, ALOHA!

"It is possible to experience an awakening in this life through realizing just how precious each moment, each mental process, and each breath truly is." - Christy Turlington

Post #8

Oh GOOD GRIEF!  I've been slacking again.  My apologies.  When I began this saga, it was my intention to try and bring everyone up to date in short order, then to post from time to time as things were relevant or possibly interesting.  Well Friends, I've obviously failed at that.  So, out of respect to you, my followers, let me try and rectify that forth with.

CURRENT SITUATION.  First of all, my present condition is pretty much the same as it's been, For the most part, I AM TOTALLY FINE.  I have settled to the point where if I do just about anything requiring exertion, I must be on Oxygen.  That breaks down to about 20~22 hours p/day.  I can say it's become rather routine for me to carry the Oxygen with me, so I guess that's some improvement.

I completed the last of my tests last week, with a trip to Oahu for a Colonoscopy.  I'm quite pleased to say that went extremely well.  The staff at Moanaloa was terrific making the whole process rather tolerable.  Anne was her usual helpful travel companion and the results were 100% good news, and they don't want to see me for another 5 years!  Hooray.

With no more tests pending I'm now in the WAITING stage... and there's nothing much to do.  I am still having some issues with swallowing and am continuing with the Omeprazole (Prilosec) therapy and restricted diet, but to tell the truth, I don't really see that accomplishing much.  My scheduled follow-up with Dr. Scott Newman is November 25th, and we'll see then. Hopefully with a Plan B.

The only other "hitch in my get-along" is resolving a Drug & Alcohol Dependency counseling process they seem to feel I need.  Long story short, evidently when it comes to Transplants if a person even drinks as little as one glass of wine a month, they now require this...  The hitch seems to be having the people in Hawaii knowing just what the people in California actually want, so I can get on with it...  Stop smoking cigarettes & pot in 2008, cold turkey.  Stopped drinking alcohol August 12th, cold turkey.  Have since had to stop onions, tomatoes, citrus, chocolate AND COFFEE - all cold turkey, yet I still have to prove I don't have dependency issues... Oh Brother!

I'm trying not to get too lazy, and force myself to get up and out...  oh, and eat!  Need to keep those calories coming, which is tough with the dry mouth issues, irritable throat problem and just pretty
much loss of appetite.  thank goodness for Ensure.  I'll cover this a bit more down the road.


There you have it... that's the current report... next post, we'll pick up where I left off and finish the "catch-up" of all the tests and fun I haven't covered yet.  In the mean time - THANK YOU ALL for your continued support, good wishes, and just even caring about this old Fart.  I love each and everyone of you, and encourage you the stay active, think positive, and do good.  RLW

“With an undefended heart, we can fall in love with life over and over every day. We can become children of wonder, grateful to be walking on earth, grateful to belong with each other and to all of creation. We can find our true refuge in every moment, in every breath.” - Tara Brach