Day 23: Clinic Visit (Day 22 4/12/12)

Yesterday Mom had her first Clinic Visit. And boy, was that an adventure. For the next four Thursdays, Mom has  scheduled visits with the transplant coordinator and surgeon. This is an opportunity for them to check her blood work and adjust her medications, if needed. This is how our first day at clinic went:

• 5:01-Wake up (well, I woke up; everyone else was already up at 4:35am!)
• 5:15-Pack car with medications, food (for Mom's breakfast, thanks to Chad), blood pressure machine, walker, etc.
• 5:30-Get on the road to UCLA (get stuck in L.A. traffic!)
• 6:10-Get to the lab for Mom to get her blood drawn
• 7:00-Mom finally gets called to get her blood drawn (We forgot her Lab Appointment Sheets!; I blame the "head charge nurse" )
• 7:15-Head back to the car to take Mom's vitals (blood pressure, blood sugar, temperature) and administer her medication and insulin, while she eats breakfast.
• 7:35-Chad rushes to the cafeteria because we forgot to pack water for the medication!
• 7:50-Head to Mom's 8:00 Clinic Visit

• 8:00-See the Transplant Coordinator and Diabetic Counselor (who thinks Chad is a snazzy dresser....Me? Not so much);   Go back to the waiting room to wait for surgeons and blood work results
• 10:15-See Surgeon
• 11:00-Leave UCLA

The surgeon reported that Mom's enzyme count is within normal limits, which means that the liver is continuing to function properly. She had a high number of creatinine in her renal test so the doctor suggested Mom drink more water to flush her kidneys. Mom reports that since drinking more water, she feels much better, less weak, throat feels less swollen, and her voice is back! Yay! She was so soft spoken that she couldn't even talk on the phone because no one could hear her! Her incision site, also known as the Chevron, or "Mercedes" incision, is healing nicely, as well. Thankfully, Mom hasn't had the other side effects of nausea, intense anger, or tremors with the medications, which is very common using these immuno suppressants. I'm so happy that Mom does not have to endure those side effects. We were really concerned about that during our Caregiver Class.

After our eventful morning and a much deserved nap, we had an unexpected visitor from Auntie Glecy. Mom asked her to get some Boost protein shakes earlier that morning while we were at Clinic. Chad went into work after our UCLA visit that morning so I stayed home with Mom. It was a pleasant visit from Auntie. I joked with her that she "was lucky" that I was there because I was under strict orders from Chad that Mom have no visits from anyone, until we were settled into our routine, Mom was feeling stronger, and her health was more stable. So, in a sense, Auntie Glecy skirted by and was allowed my "LVN clearance" because she came with her protein shakes. She made sure to leave right before the "head charge nurse" arrived to relieve me of my shift. hahaha...It was a nice visit while Auntie updated Mom on what's going on with her and the family.

Even though Auntie Glecy got clearance, Mom is still not up for receiving visitors at this time. She gets tired with even talking. So we will keep everyone posted when she's up for visiting and / or Skyping. 

Thank you everyone for your continued prayers. God is Good.