Final Testing and a Central Line
On November 15, 2016, I traveled to Utah to begin a week of testing that would provide information enough to begin the stem cell harvest. That in turn would give me the stem cells I needed to start the transplant in December.
I had to get clearance from my cardiologist. He ordered a cardiac MRI, which took two hours, at Primary Children's Hospital. That is the only Hospital around with that special equipment. I got to watch "Planes" the kid's movie while I went through the battery of tests around my heart and connected valves. I have a deformed pulmonary valve that is 6 cm in diameter instead of the normal 2 cm. But it isn't growing, so it is probably genetic and doesn't represent any type of advancing disease. I just needed his blessing. Dr. Hoskoppal read the MRI and met with me on November 18th. He gave me a clean bill of health and a thumbs up.
We stayed with Lori that weekend as family started to arrive for Thanksgiving. I had some other tests that week to get ready like 24-hour urine test, PET Scan, bone marrow biopsy (see other post), and a procedure to put my Hickman central line in. The procedure for the Hickman Line took place at the UofU Hospital: Intervention Radiology Department. They put me under and placed three lines into a line that went up into my jugular vein so they could draw blood and administer drugs directly into a main artery.
As the nurse was preparing me for this procedure, I told her one of my Brother-in-laws standard jokes, which goes like this. If you are ever attacked by a group of clowns, always go for the juggler.
The procedure went well. It is nice to have a central line so that I don't need to be poked everytime they need to draw blood or administer meds. But it also takes extra care and maintenance. I can't get it wet in the shower, I can't lift anything over 10 lbs., and I have to makek sure it doesn't get snagged on something and get pulled out. The bandage on it is replaced every week, and it is a very sterile and careful process that the nurse needs to go through. I am happy for it, but I will be glad when I don't need it anymore.
I had to get clearance from my cardiologist. He ordered a cardiac MRI, which took two hours, at Primary Children's Hospital. That is the only Hospital around with that special equipment. I got to watch "Planes" the kid's movie while I went through the battery of tests around my heart and connected valves. I have a deformed pulmonary valve that is 6 cm in diameter instead of the normal 2 cm. But it isn't growing, so it is probably genetic and doesn't represent any type of advancing disease. I just needed his blessing. Dr. Hoskoppal read the MRI and met with me on November 18th. He gave me a clean bill of health and a thumbs up.
We stayed with Lori that weekend as family started to arrive for Thanksgiving. I had some other tests that week to get ready like 24-hour urine test, PET Scan, bone marrow biopsy (see other post), and a procedure to put my Hickman central line in. The procedure for the Hickman Line took place at the UofU Hospital: Intervention Radiology Department. They put me under and placed three lines into a line that went up into my jugular vein so they could draw blood and administer drugs directly into a main artery.
As the nurse was preparing me for this procedure, I told her one of my Brother-in-laws standard jokes, which goes like this. If you are ever attacked by a group of clowns, always go for the juggler.
The procedure went well. It is nice to have a central line so that I don't need to be poked everytime they need to draw blood or administer meds. But it also takes extra care and maintenance. I can't get it wet in the shower, I can't lift anything over 10 lbs., and I have to makek sure it doesn't get snagged on something and get pulled out. The bandage on it is replaced every week, and it is a very sterile and careful process that the nurse needs to go through. I am happy for it, but I will be glad when I don't need it anymore.
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