Evaulation Testing

So I began the testing needed to continue with Cleveland. I wasn't sure at the time whether or not I wanted to be listed, but figured I should still keep going in case I did want to. It's a lot harder to get on the list than to be taken off.

I ended up in the hospital just 3 days after I returned from Cleveland. My white blood count was at 31! Normal ranges from 7-10, give or take a few and my normal runs about 13. So while I was in, we asked for them to run as many of the tests as they could. I had the following completed:

• Sinus CT - very simple, just lie in one position and keep still.
  
• VQ Scan - Lie very still and inhale the radioactively tagged mist. Then they inject a dye through an IV and again, lie very still. Simple and easy.
• Abdominal ultrasound - Lie and have them move the wand around your abdomen. The only hard part I think came with the technician. She was a little hard in pushing the wand into me and it hurt a little. But really not that bad.
• Echocardiogram - They did this with the bubble study. The echo was really neat in itself. I had never had one of these and it showed my heart beating in real time. It was a little awkward sitting there with my chest bare though. The bubble study was the hard part. They weren't able to use my port (too much tension in the line) so they had to place a peripheral IV. They withdraw some blood and agitate it to create some bubbles and then push the blood back in. They watch the monitor and it looks a little like snow coming through (really cool!!) but they look for holes in the heart. Turns out I have a small hole in my heart, but they said it was common and that it wouldn't interfere with transplant.

I also had my vaccinations made up to date which included having Hepatitis A administered. I had already completed the B series.

When I was discharged I continued with the rest of the testing. The remainder consisted of:

• EKG - place the stickers and sit there for 3 minutes. Cake.
• Gastric emptying study - Eat an egg sandwich which has a radioactive tag ( I felt like I could glow in the dark by this point) and have x-rays taken at various time intervals. Mine didn't empty quick enough at first, but finally did (Just in time too!)
• Dental Clearance - My dentist took x-rays and told me that I'm in good dental health :)
• I was able to skip the mammogram since I'm only 23... but they had it scheduled at first.
• Esophageal w/ manometry and pH study - This one so far has been a "no-go". I have too strong of a gag reflex to be able to have the probes placed and they are unable to sedate me because the manometry is meant to measure muscle tension. Sedation would cause my muscles to relax and give false results. I'll be sure to change this if I ever am able to complete this check. Right now we're seeking approval to have other results serve as a substitute.
  

I also have a few other tests - DEXA, pap smear, etc. which are coming up with my yearly checks anyway. I return to Cleveland on Sept. 16th when I will tell them I am ready to go on the list. I'll be sure to write about how that goes!