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Monday November 20th, 2006 On Monday November 20th (Johnson's B-day) I spent most of the day at the hospital having some more tests performed.
Kendra's Last Few Set of Tests The first was a CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis. With this test, they have me lie down on a table, and the CT scanner looks like a big round doughnut. They take several photos of this region prior to injecting me with a solution which will basically outline my blood vessels and organs etc. They hook up the IV then, and a really warm tingling sensation happens. You really feel the heat, and you have the sensation that you will have to pee right away. This is a normal reaction to the medication. They immediately take more photos, then wait in series of 5 and 10 minute intervals to scan some more. I am nervous a little. This test checks to see where the kidneys are positioned to help map out a blueprint for the surgeon, as well as to checks how the vessels flow, and to check for the possibility of any cancer in this region.
Then it was off to have my Chest X-ray which checks the heart and lungs to see if there is any cancer present. It also checks the size of the heart and ensures everything is fine there as well.
Then my next appointment of the day was to go and have my ECG done which checks the rhythm of my heart. They do this prior to any surgery to ensure your heart is in good condition. The surgeon then reviews all of these tests.
Next Monday November 27, 2006 I will meet for 4 appointments throughout the day.
1. Consultation with Psychiatrist... (This is the only test I'm not sure I'll pass... hee hee)
2. Renal Scan for Differential Function - Another dye is injected into me, and the scan is done. This checks to see if both kidneys function at approximately the same level of function. ie. 50% and 50%, or 80% with one and 20% with the other... apparently this is possible. They of course will leave me with the one with the most function if one proves significantly different than the other. If there is not much difference between the two, they always take the left kidney. Why you ask? Because it's the one with the longest blood vessels, which would mean it would be easier to implant into Johnson.
3. Then it's off to talk to the Social Worker assigned specifically to me. They will ensure we have some type of plan in effect during this whole procedure. i.e. help at home with recovery, help with children etc.
4. And lastly I actually meet with my own Surgeon Dr. Mahoney, who's specialties include renal transplantation and laparoscopy surgery. I hear he's the best!
Then we have 4 days left to pack for our trip to Hawaii. I have only one more test after that, which is to meet with my own Nephrologists where we discuss any concerns about me living with one kidney after the surgery.
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CT Scanner
Chest X-Ray ECG
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