Pittsburgh Day 4

Today turned out to be a much better day. We started out a little earlier and went to Presbyterian Hospital. Our first appointment was with a Dr. that didn't show because they just got a transplant donor. (Kind of exciting), the next Dr. didn't show either, finally Dr. Toyota came in and we could hardly understand a word he was saying. He was kind and funny. He gave us the risks (80% chance of surgery survival, 85% survival 1 year), talked about the surgery, he talked about her scars, he told us how he felt about doing it, which was pretty good. He said it would take about 11 hours to do the surgery, the heart first, then liver. They have done about 15 to 20 heart/liver transplants with excellent outcomes. Then Tracie came in and she is the Heart Transplant Coordinator. She told us how we would be listed, (which we are not yet), that Melissa will have to be at the hospital within 3 hours of call, there are some times when people are called and they don't get the organ for various reasons. Then we walked to Radiology, (while we were there one of our new friends from the Superbowl party showed up to give support) In Radiology she got a carotid Doppler, peripheral Doppler, chest x-ray, EKG. Then they gave her the barium for the CT scan with/without dye. She drank almost all of the barium and then they took her in to start an IV, as he was getting her history, he asked her if she had had a CT with dye before and how it went, Melissa told him it went well, she just had a little itching and they gave her benadryl. SOUND THE ALARMS !!!! They immediately canceled the test until tomorrow. Sent her home to pre medicate with prednisone. Well, she didn't have to finish the barium, and that made her jump for joy. Also, that meant we were done at 2:30p. Went to lunch and then we have been hanging out, making connections and fund raising. I did take some pictures (legally) of the house we are staying in. (This is for you Jeff)

Pittsburgh Day 3

So, yesterday was day 3 ( are we sure about this? felt like day 999). We thought that this day would be pretty easy, talk to the shrink, get some info, see the Liver Doctor. We showed up at Montefiore Hospital at 0900, first off Melissa saw the shrink, (as she calls it) her name is Ginger and she really liked her, they had a great talk that we were not privilege to. Her appointments were originally scheduled with plenty of time in between, which we were glad to be able to eat, rest, whatever. Well, several people canceled their appointments and Melissa ended up going back to back all day. The next step was to have her blood drawn, (just for liver mind you). She is an incredibly hard stick but luckily they only had to stick her 4 times to get the 33 vials of blood (not exaggerating). Mind you she is only 92 pounds and they took half of her body weight in blood. She was not feeling too good after this. Then they rushed her into the Social Worker Kim's office, nice lady gave us all sorts of information about everything social. She even gave a talk about how to fund raise. (Apparently, she doesn't know me). Super nice lady, very helpful and sweet. Next appointment was with the Liver Guy, Dr. Chopra, very funny, worked at Mayo in Scottsdale for awhile, thinks are weather is terrible. When we first went in we met Karen, she will be our Transplant Coordinator for the Liver side of things. Lots of information, questions, life history. It is like being in a whirlwind, and Melissa was not feeling so good. When the Liver guy got her labs, her potassium was only 2.7. She immediately downed 4 big potassium pills and when her appointment was over they escorted us via wheelchair to the emergency department for her to be tested again. Tammi and I sat in the waiting room while Judy went back with her. Melissa was ready to cancel the whole deal right here. While I was waiting in the waiting room, I was talking on the phone to my mom, I realized that I hadn't taken any pictures all day, so I took a quick picture of the emergency department sign, when suddenly I had a encounter with the law........I got to meet my first mean person in Pittsburgh. A 6 foot 4 inch, 300 pound grouchy man was suddenly in my face, he said he was taking my camera. What??? This was serious, like I pulled a gun out or something. I was freaking out and said, "no, you can't have my camera, I am not from here, blah, blah, blah". He very sternly marched me out of the hospital backwards. I was stunned to say the least. Finally, after about 30 min he let me back in and took my camera until we were ready to leave. We sold bracelets to the Dr.s and Nurses in the ER. We went to Paneras for dinner, watched the bachelor and went to bed. Today is the Cardiac side of things. Thanks for all of the notes of support and friendship.

Pittsburgh Day 2

Today was certainly a difficult day. We started out getting ready for church and then the sudden realization of what we are doing here in Pittsburgh really set in. I won't go into detail about this, but there was some flooding of emotion to say the least. We never made it to church. We went to Starbucks for coffee and then to a bagel store for breakfast. Then we figured out how to use Judy's navigator. This was a real learning experience while driving the streets of Pittsburgh. (4 women in the car who were already strung tightly). Oh yeah, funny moment.....They have a lot of one way streets here. I found that out while going down one the wrong way. (It is amazing how laughter can ease the tension). Then we went to look at the other family houses. The one we are at feels like a old folks home or a hospice. Well, after looking, they all have the same feel. This is very discouraging to Judy and Melissa. We finally found a Sushi place and man did we eat. Well, except Judy....she didn't like the raw idea, but I do have to give her credit for trying. We bought some groceries and headed back to the house. Everyone in the house was getting ready for the Superbowl, hanging out in the kitchen was not our idea of fun. So, we walked next door to the Marriott to watch the game....boring. Nobody was there, so Tammi and I decided Melissa needed a little reprieve. We ask the guy at the Marriott where to go, he directed two blocks down to a bar called Silky's. It was rather intimidating at first, but we walked in and got invited to sit at a table with some incredibly gracious people. We had a much needed good time, and let me tell you about the people in Pittsburgh.....my goodness they are nice. We have met so many people here already, met a guy whose dad had a heart transplant, a guy who works with the transplant team, a Realtor, students.....Everyone here has a connection to this hospital and pride in their city. Incredibly heart warming. We were given business cards, phone numbers and offers of everything from a home cooked meal, help with rides, apartment hunting and marriage.

Pittsburgh Day 1

Good Morning,

'Brrrrrr', man is it cold here. But contrary to popular belief the people are incredibly nice. We got in about 4pm, I had heard from someone on the plane that the biggest storm of the century was coming on Mon or Tues. When we got the the rental car counter I insisted on a four wheel drive. (fear here). I haven't driven in snow in 21 years. Yikes!!! (My name is on the donation account so I have to be the driver). It was double the price. I didn't care. We get in the Nissan Xterra, and Aunt Judy has a navigation tool, that we can't get to work in Pittsburgh. So, luckily, Tammi has one on her phone. We got to the family house with little problem. (little doesn't mean none). Then we went to a parking garage, that didn't belong to the family house. We got stuck inside, Tammi had to get out and push the button on the in side so we could go out the wrong way. This may have been the first time we all almost wet our pants. Then we got to the house and heard all of the 'RULES' many, many rules. We finally get up to our room and we all decided that the house had a hospice feel. None of us like this. The emotion of it all came flooding in. We decided to go out to dinner. So, again we are navigating through the town to find a Italian place. We didn't go to far and found Alexanders. the food was pretty good, wait was really long. Service was excellent. We told them we were staying at the Family House and immediately they got even friendlier. Invited us back to watch the Superbowl. Some guy in the next booth, was willing to leave his date and talk to us about the night life. I think if Tammi would have wanted to go, he would have left his date there and taken us to the bar. Whew!! Then we came back to the dorm and went to bed. We want to see a little of Pittsburgh today, we are starting with Church. I have a facebook connection for church about 6 miles from here. We'll keep in touch.

Beautiful Day, so much going on. Melissa got her 'for sure' acceptance from Pittsburgh, so now we are just waiting for the date, hopefully by tomorrow or the next day we will know for sure when we go. We will be in Pittsburgh for a week of testing, then they once again have to accept her with the current results, then Judy, Melissa and the Doctors decide when to move, once she has moved to Pittsburgh she is on the list.

The BRACELETS arrived. Yea! I have 1,000 bracelets selling them for $5.00 a piece. Please let me know who and how many, just email me. They turned out really great.

The account is already showing donations coming in. I am so appreciative. There is no way to see who is giving what so I want to thank everyone right now from the bottom of my left ventricle. My goal is to raise $40,000 dollars from now until they come home from Pittsburgh new heart and liver tucked tightly into her precious little body.

Once again the bank information:

M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank
1481 E. Williams Field Rd.
Gilbert,AZ 85295
480-224-4964

account number
0049009411

My email is azwolfpac5@aol.com
my cell phone is 480-236-6524

So, here is the bracelet. They are black with yellow writing. I can't wait to wear one or seven??? I will let everyone know when they are out. Anyone interested in t-shirts? I could make some of those too. I will look at prices. Terri

Happy New Year Friends and Family,

Today I set up a donation account for 'Transplant Travel, Housing and Food Expenses. It is at M&I Bank and the account number is 0049009411. Anyone can make a donation by giving the account number. It is not a tax deductible account at this point. I am still in the beginning of starting a Non Profit Organization. We will let everyone know as that gets closer. We ordered bracelets that are so cute, we will sell them for $5.00 a piece. Please tell everyone you know about Melissa (like I know you all ready have) and feel free to give this site so that people can be with this team of great supporters. I will post a picture of the bracelets in a week or so. I can't tell you how amazing you all have been keeping Melissa and Judys spirits lifted. Life is so much easier with a circle of love wrapped tightly around you. We have that and more.

Terri