Time will tell

We didn't exactly get a hallelujah, but we did get a little relief.

It's all pretty simple. The transplant team feels that it is rare to see the strictures disappear, however, they also feel it could just be a matter of time before they return. BUT, at this point, they are considering him healthy.

The plan is to have his blood drawn every two weeks to check for any signs of disease progression and then after two months if he is still normal, it will move to monthly. They were very clear to Geoff when they said "be sure to watch for any signs of liver trouble" (i.e. yellow eyes, fatigue, etc.). There was no mention of coming off the transplant list nor did they ever use the word 'cured', but everyone was encouraged.

The underlying tone of the visit was time will tell.

We're just thrilled they didn't say it was the wrong chart!

Is it Friday yet?

Tick tock, tick tock.....

My new gig

Patient Advocate Insurance Consultant Extraordinaire

I've got his system down.

We get medical bills on a daily basis and some of them are from almost a year ago. Who screwed that one up? Anyhow, it's crazy how a provider will send us a bill and then I will call BCBS and they will say "Ms. Dunkle, we paid that claim on XYZ date and we show your patient responsibility at $0". So then I call the provider who is trying to scam me for more money and their response is "Oh, Ms. Dunkle, you're correct. That claim was paid in full. Your balance is $0".

WHAT??? How many people just pay their bills and never know if they really even owe it???

Nap time today was spent going through the stack calling BCBS and then calling the providers to see what is really owed and what is not.

My next mission is to start negotiating the bills that we owe. I got my idea from this article. And yes, there is a little sense of guilt because Geoff did have these medical services performed, but the other part of me says it's okay too. At least that's what I tell myself.

I'm here to help if you've got questions.

Is this a God thing?

This is the question I have asked myself 186 times since Thursday.

I have hesitated to blog about this because I really want to hear final confirmation from the doctors this coming Friday.

BUT, I really can't hold back any longer....

When Geoff went for his tube check last Thursday we received some very shocking news, to say the least. The doctor said "it was quite remarkable because Geoff showed no strictures in his bile ducts". When the doctor said that to me, I almost responded with "are you f-ing kidding me"? Instead, I responded with "how"? The doctor had no explanation as to why Geoff's bile ducts looked normal. Keep in mind, the strictures are what cause the need for a transplant!

The doctor even went back to his tube check on Jan 18th (less than 30 days ago) and confirmed that on Jan. 18th he had multiple, multiple strictures and bile pooling within the bile ducts. So bad in fact that he didn't think the tube removal was even going to be possible.

We are UTTERLY confused. So, where do we go from here?

Geoff has liver clinic on Friday with the transplant team. We want to hear what they have to say. Is this a fluke? Did they read the wrong chart? A sick joke? Is this a God thing?

Not sure if this is ironic or not but the same day we received a $5000 medical bill. Whatever it takes.

Tube-less

To be continued....

Hey, it's worth a shot!

Two family friends sent me this today.

I'm in! I haven't told Geoff about it, but he'll be on board....sarcasm......

The ad will read a little something like this:

Got Kidney?

Even though God gave you two, you can totally live with just one! How about helping out a family man in Texas? Blood type A is what I'm lookin for, but if you're O I'll take that too! Beggers can't be choosers, right?

Come on out to Dallas, we'll treat you right and show you a good time. My wife will throw you the best party ever!

Hmmm...I don't think we can offer money-I'm pretty sure that's illegal. I did have a friend tell me she would donate if we paid for her tummy tuck....is that illegal?

Possible tube removal, tomorrow

Geoff is scheduled for a tube check tomorrow as well as a tube removal (if all goes well). Keep your fingers crossed.

I guess now that the tube is coming out it's back to a normal, healthy low-fat diet. No more artery-clogging diet for you, Geoff. Ah, those were the days.

• No more Taco Bell 3 times a week
• No more bacon EVERY morning
• No more vitamin D milk
• No more half and half as a creamer
• No more 3 bags of candy on a Sunday afternoon
• No more bowls of Lucky Charms, Coco Puffs, and Peanut Butter Captain Crunch @ 9:00PM at night
• No more full fat fudge bars
• No more pure unsalted butter on EVERYTHING

The list goes on.....

It's time to switch back to my diet. Bummer for you.