Hi,
I was going to tell you how my doc appts went. I went on Thursday 11/4 to all my transplant appts. I met with a kidney doc there and he said that my antibodies were at 99%, which is why I haven't been getting any phone calls to see if I am a match, even though I am probably at the top of the list for a k/p transplant.
There is a thing that he and his partner (who is my dialysis doc) want to try with me called the desensitization protocol. It is ta three step process that involves them 2. physically removing the antibodies by something similar to a dialysis treatment,, 2. chemically removing the antibodies (by getting an iv for 4-5 hours and 3. a new drug to tell my cells to stop reproducing antibodies (which is a 5 minute injection). For the 3. they have to write up a study and present it to not only the hospital board, but the drug company to see if they can try it on me as I am not sure it has even been done before. If all is approved, AND the insurance will pay for it, then I can start getting that done. The kidney doc that treats me at D is the one that would write up the study and present it, he said not only is it VERY expensive, it is a long process to get all that done. Since my antibodies are so high (99%) it is like having 100 people stand in front of me and only 1 person's organs would not immediately fail in me. If we can lower the antibodies, even to 80% or even 50%, then that would better my chances of getting a transplant. However, there is no guarantee that the protocol will work. A little or at all. So, it is a gamble, but I told the doctors that it is one I am willing to take. The longer I am on dialysis, the harder it is on my heart.
I have two more tests to do on 11/23 and 11/24 and I will be done with all my testing for the year. I am hoping all of this won't take more than 6 months, but you never know. I honestly, was never given a time frame, just that it takes a long time.
So, this is what all I have going on. At least I have hope and the D is keeping me going for now.
Thanks for reading along!
Love, Tracy :)
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Tracy,
ReplyDeleteWe are still praying fervently for you. I pray that your faith remains strong. I love you and would love to se you when you feel up to it:)
Lisa
Just got this note today and Tracy you have so many prayers warriors on your side now.
ReplyDeleteAbout 1 pm yesterday afternoon, we received a phone call from family friends tell us that their daughter Ashley was in Ft. Worth Harris Hospital on life support after suffering a blood clot in her brain.
Later in the day the decision was made by the Ashley`s family to donate her organs to those families waiting on the transplant list. Ashley is still on Life Support awaiting the donation of her organs.
The family has directed that Tracy be placed first on the list for the Kidney/Pancreas transplant.
That being said, there are a lot of things that must go right for Tracy to receive this life changing gift.
First Ashley must be blood type O and last night we found out that she is....first step complete.
Second, we are waiting on a phone call this morning from Baylor Dallas for Tracy to go in and give blood to perform the cross match with Ashley blood. If the cross match is good then Tracy would receive her Transplant a Baylor Ft. Worth.
Since Tracy has had a transplant before and 16 blood transfusions. she is at 99% antibodies and a match will be hard to get. However, it not impossible.
Tracy and I are cautiously optimistic that this will be the "Gift Of Life" that we have been waiting for.
If you believe in the power of prayer, I would ask of you to say a prayer for Tracy and Ashley and her family during this stressful time.
Ashley is 22 years old and a new mother to a 4 month old baby girl.
Through this tragedy 22-27 family will receive the Gift of Life by receiving the organs that they need to for their self or family member. This is truly a unselfish act by the Vann family to donate Ashley organs.
I will keep you posted on details as I know them. We are just waiting on the call to tell us to make our way to Dallas for Tracy to give blood.
In our weakness, God is strong. Praying for strength and physical healing. Bless you.
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