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(((Vicki)))

Good thoughts rollin' in from the Left Coast

(((Roomie))))
Sorry I didn't see this before. Loads of SoCal comin' at ya!
Take care of yourself too

Vicki - good thoughts heading south from the bread basket. Also something out in the mail today to hopefully boost your spirits.

Love from Kansas

(((((((Vicki)))))))

Here's the latest news from Vickster .... she told me it was okay to share this email with ya'll .... it's time to put on our thinking caps and come up with something to help her out.

Here's our chance to really make a difference in the life of one of our own.

What say you?

I just wanted to give you a status update. A few of you probably already know this, but it's easier to just e-mail everyone as people are always asking about my health.

I started my first day of tests and appointments today for a heart transplant evaluation. I have numerous tests and appointments the rest of this week, two days next week, two days the following week and one day the week after that. I have to have non-fasting and fasting labs, meet with a dietician, renal doctor, pulmonary doctor, physciatrist, nuerologist, surgical doctor, social worker and the transplant coordinaitor. They will do ultrasounds on all of my organs, a CT scan of my brain and my lung, an angiogram for my heart and a colonoscopy.

Then based on all that, they will confer to see if I am a candicate and can be put on the list. The doctor told me I have one to two years without a new heart or a VAD pump implant. I know I have lots of people praying for me and I have a lot of faith. I have turned this over to God and I have a peace. I know that only he knows how long I have or if there is a heart for me.

Right now, I am feeling pretty good. The fluid retention is under control and I'm walking more. I'm also cutting down on carbs and sugars and trying to loose some weight. Secure Horizons has approved me for this transplant evaluation so I will not be charged the $100 per test co-pay and that was a big relief. I will have to pay all the doctor's visits at $25 each - an extra $150 that I really don't have so will have to make adjustments some where. It's really overwhelming.......the cost of the transplant is covered by Secure Horizons, but the anti-rejection drugs that I would have to take (if a heart were to become available) are astronomical. Either $3,000, $4,000 or $8,000 a month and I would be responsible for 20% of that. They have to know going in that I can handle the expense of the meds required following the transplant. Even at $3,000 a month, that's $600 that I would have to pay........and that's impossible......so I need to work on a plan.........if possible, I'm going to try to find a job through DARS working from my computer at home a few days a week. My other option would be to sell and give up everything and live with someone and pay minimal rent, so I can afford the meds, but that doesn't seem likely. They told me to talk to the social worker and see if there are any programs that might help - but I'm sure I'm one of thousands on a fixed income that also need help with their anti-rejection drugs. I'm not sure when they need to know and I think I have some time to try to work out something, but if not, I'll just take whatever time I have left.

I know many of you are praying for me and I would like to ask you to continue to pray for me as I get through all the testing. If I get put on the transplant list, there are 3 levels. I would be a 2. Then there are 1B's and 1A's with the 1A's being the sickest and at the top of the list. I am also O Negative which means I fall into the last group. And again, they have 10,000 people needing hearts and only get about 2,500 each year.........but I believe in miracles......so we'll see.

Now if I could just win the lottery, that would be great.

Thanks for being my friend and for your encouragment. The doctor has told me that having a large support group of friends is very important and I've been blessed with many friends.

Love and hugs to each of you,

Vicki

((((((((((((((((VICKSTER))))))))))))))))))))) MORE PRAYERS AND HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We can do SOMETHING to help you...wheels are turning right now!!!!!!!!!!!!

Put Christine and me in the same cyberspace and good things WILL happen!

East Texas Parrothead wrote:Put Christine and me in the same cyberspace and good things WILL happen!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vicki
Keeping you in my thoughts.
We know what Phin Power can do....keep the faith.

We got a heart for Baby Ryan---think of what we can do for you.
*wink*

You know, aside from just sending "Phin Power" onward (and I'm not trying to downplay its positive effects), there is something else we can all do to help — and not just Vicki.

If you haven't done so already, take out your driver's license and turn it over. I'm pretty sure you will find a statement there, something along the lines of "Upon my death I wish to donate:" and then a check box for "all organs, tissues, and eyes", and another one for "specified organs" with a line to list (heart, lungs, kidney, etc). Check the box for "all organs, tissues, and eyes" and sign the card.

Next, let your wife/husband/significant other, your lawyer, your family doctor, or anyone else you trust know about your decision, so that they are aware of your wishes. There's a limited amount of time in which organs, etc. can be removed and remain viable for transplant, so it's important that your intentions are known by as many people as possible.

Here's hoping we all live long and healthy lives, but if (God forbid) anything happens to one of us there's no reason not to give someone else a chance at a better life.

You might want to think about donating blood, too. Another good way to help people. Did you know that one unit (pint) of blood can be separated into its individual components (plasma, red cells, and platelets), so that your single unit could possibly help three different people?? And you don't have to die to do this!!!

Now THAT'S what I would call "Phin Power"!

-"BB"-

Donate for Life is a good resource to find out about organ donation http://www.donatelife.net/. Their site not only gives you the proper steps to go through for each state but also has a letter/card that you can print out to give to your family and friends that expresses your wishes in writing. They also give information regarding living donations of a kidney, a lobe of a lung, partial liver, pancreas or intestine.

(((((Vicki))))))

Sending tons of phin power and prayers from SC!

That box on my driver's license has been checked for years. I hope someone can use something .... even if I die at 90.

I'm definately a donor.
I keep getting b*tched at for not recycling, well, I can certainly recycle myself. If there's someone who would like a piece of me after I assume room temperature, hopefully they'll put the parts to better use than I did.

VICKY-
Honey, if you need ANYTHING, you let me know.
If the group here wants to do some kind of donation thing, I'm in.
Sorry I didn't have time to read all the posts in this thread, but if I can help in any way, please send me a P.M.
I'll be back on Monday.
Peace & good thoughts to all, and much love and prayers to Vicky.

Hope Vicky is ok now.

Vicki sounds like a great person and one with a wonderful attitude...sending lots of prayers and phin power her way from Florida...and if there is something going on to help her out please let me know.
(I, too, have had that red box on my license for years...hopefully when I go there will be something left to help someone out)

Hey, Vickster. Thinking of you today!

Thinking about you today, Vicki.

Yep, the box on my license has been checked since they added the box. And more importantly, I've made it clear to my family, because they're the ones who have to sign the paperwork.

I have news!

Catch Vicki's Victory thread this evening!

I just love it when ETP "has news!"

^^^^POWER for you, Vicki!

East Texas Parrothead wrote:I have news!

Catch Vicki's Victory thread this evening!

(((((((((((((((((((TERRY))))))))))))))))))))) I LOVE when you say "I have NEWS!!!!"



((((((((((((((((((VICKY))))))))))))))))) more good thoughts for you today!!!