Evaluation Time!

(Originally published on 3/12/14 on cotaforjensh.com)

Jens outside of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh- March, 2013 

Jens, Abby, and Bob (Jens’s dad) are headed to Pittsburgh this weekend for the transplant evaluation. We realized that many of you were not aware, as we simply forgot to tell you all with the craziness of the hemoptysis a few weeks ago. Forgive us. 

The evaluation begins in Pittsburgh on March 17th. “Evaluation” means is 3-4 days of tests and meeting with the people involved in the transplant process. 

Medical Tests: 

• Echocardiogram (heart) 
• PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) 
• DESAT (Oxygen levels) 
• 6 Minute Walk (Oxygen levels while exercising) 
• Blood Work 
• Urine Analysis 
• Chest X-ray 
• CT scan of chest 
• Barium swallow (Digestive Tract) 
• VQ Scan 
• EKG 

Transplant “People”/Meetings: 

• 3 hour “orientation” (class to learn about the process) 
• Nutritionist Transplant 
• Financial Analyst 
• Transplant Coordinator 
• Transplant Surgeon 
• Transplant Pulmonologist (CF doctor) 
• Transplant Pharmacist 
• Social Services Coordinator 

In the “downtimes” and during appointments where her presence isn’t necessary (think 6 minute walk), Abby will be out at housing appointments to view apartments around the area. Fingers crossed that all of the internet researching has paid off! 

The transplant team meets the following week- usually on a Tuesday- to determine if the patient is a candidate for transplant and if it is time to actively list the patient. We feel that this is the time where they will list him as “active” on the lung transplant list. 

After that point in time, we’re not really sure what will happen… stay tuned!