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Wednesday, January 24 - 6:30 p.m.

Surprises never cease!  Today we were told that we may be sent home in a week or two and that we will come back for the reversal later. 

Carissa's bone scan revealed that bone mass has been lost in the past year in spite of TPN (pre-transplant) and a combination of Fosamax, 1,500 mg of Oscal a day, plus extra Vitamin D (post-transplant).  Dr. Kareem wants to get Carissa off of Cortef and down to taking Prograf every other day, if possible, because of her age and the damaging side effects of those drugs.  Today he cut the Cortef down to 20 mg of a morning and10 mg at night, and dropped her dose of Prograf down to 4 mg a day.  He prescribed daily shots of Forteo to rebuild bone mass.

Roll with the tide!  We have learned through the transplant process that nothing is predictable, nothing is set in stone.  We trust the wisdom of the doctors and know that it will be best for Carissa in the long run.  Carissa is handling the news well.

Joe Fehy, a reporter from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, came to the Residence Inn to interview us for a post-transplant article he will be writing.  Joe said that he wouldn't have known Carissa if I (Sharon) hadn't been with her.  (We have heard that comment many times since we came to Pittsburgh.)  He definitely plans to include a before and after picture with the article.

Carissa and I are thankful to be able to stay in our cozy room for the next couple of days.  We've had fairly steady snow for four or five days, but it hasn't accumulated.  The temperature is supposed to drop to ten degrees and snow is still in the forecast.  We will enjoy the view from our windows!  Thankfully the temperature will be warming up to the mid-thirties by the time Wayne returns from Singapore on Saturday (where the temperature is in the 80s).

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Thursday, January 18 - 1:45 p.m.

Surprise, surprise!  We received a call about 7:30 this morning telling us that Carissa doesn't have to go to clinic today. 

Carissa had a biopsy and extensive blood work, as well as a bone scan, yesterday.  Blood work results made Kareem happy.  They were still waiting for biopsy results, but everything looked good when the biopsy was taken.

Carissa's transplant coordinator also said that she has tentatively scheduled Carissa's reversal for February 13^th!  We're so excited!  But...we know that nothing is set in stone in the transplant world.  At least we know an effort is being made for that date and we can pray to that end.

The coordinator also explained the schedule for adjusting Carissa's Prograf level.  Dr. Kareem asked Carissa to begin taking five Prograf of a morning beginning January 3^rd.  She has to be on that dose for four weeks before they will make another adjustment.  They will begin thinking about another adjustment sometime next week.

We have enjoyed seeing several of our transplant friends.  We rejoice with those who are doing well and pray for those who are struggling.  We would appreciate prayer for Jessica, a young lady Carissa's age whose transplant (stomach & small bowel)was removed because of ongoing rejection.  She has been listed for a five organ transplant, just like Carissa, with hopes that her body won't reject again if a liver is included.

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Saturday, January 13 - 4:30 p.m.

(Sharon)  Carissa and Sharon are back in Pittsburgh for what we hope will be the final round in the transplant process.  We arrived in Pittsburgh last Sunday night (January 7th).

Dr. Kareem began the weaning Carissa from Prograf five days before our arrival to Pittsburgh.  She had been taking three Prograf of a morning and three at night.  On Wednesday, January 3rd, Carissa began taking five Prograf, but only in the morning.  Carissa had a biopsy on Monday and again on Friday.  So far, no signs of rejection!

The weaning from Prograf process is a slow one.  They lower the dose slightly and wait to see the effects, and, then, adjust accordingly.  If signs of rejection appear, there are powerful drugs to stop the rejection, if necessary. 

The lowest safe maintenance level varies from patient to patient, though we know Dr. Kareem has a goal in mind.  Prograf has  serious long-term side effects, as do all steroids, which is why he makes an effort to determine the lowest maintenance level for each patient.  The patient is at risk for rejection, but our five minute run to the hospital makes it safe.

We are staying at the Residence Inn once again.  The benefits outweigh the added expense.  It wouldn't be possible, however, if it weren't for the much reduced rate that were are given and the support we're received from donations made through the National Transplant Assistance Fund. 

Your prayers will be appreciated.  We pray that this process will go quickly and that we will be able to be home within the 6-8 weeks we are told to expect.

Is a transplant worth all we've been through?  This week, Carissa packed her own suitcases and boxed other items she would need/want in Pittsburgh.  She helped to load and unload the car, and drove to Sideling Hill (over an hour).  She put her belongings away at the Residence Inn.  She went to the grocery store with me (Sharon), and helped to load, unload, and put away the groceries.  Carissa brought her Game Cube and she can concentrate and react so much better (a great excuse to play!).  And there are so many other things that she done lately, such as putting together a bookshelf and TV stand that she got for Christmas—all by herself.  A transplant isn't for the fainthearted, but for those who dare to persevere, it's a gift that words cannot describe.

What didn't we bring to Pittsburgh?  No TPN bags and supplies, no j-tube formula and supplies and, if the Lord permits, she plans to leave her ostomy supplies in Pittsburgh soon.