Bob's health tale

As most of you know, Bob's liver is failing due to hepatitis C. He had been on the liver transplant list for the past 1 1/2 years here in Detroit at Henry Ford. In the spring Bob was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and had tons of testing done at that time. Long story short (ha) they found out that 2 of the 4 bypasses that were done on his heart 3 years ago are now blocked again. His heart is in pretty crappy shape and Henry Ford felt he was too high of a risk for the liver transplant.

So, they sent us to the Cleveland Clinic. From what everyone has told us, the CCF does the high risk transplants that other facilities won't do. We spent 4 days at the end of May in lovely downtown Cleveland ...you can see that post here on my blog...and have been waiting for news ever since. Well, we got the news last week.

Why so long? The cardiologist at the CCF needed to see the entire video of Bob's heart cath that was done here in Detroit and it took weeks for St. John to get it's shit together and send it! But that's another story...

The liver transplant committee meets every Friday and reviews the cases that are presented for that week. Bob's case was finally presented July 2. After what I understand was a lengthy review and discussion, it was decided that Bob's heart is just not in good enough shape for a liver transplant. The anesthesiologist feels that he may not survive the surgery. They actually considered a heart/liver transplant but decided against it.

This was our last option and we won't be pursuing any others. I know everyone wants to know what happens now but we aren't sure. He has great doctors who take very good care of him and will continue to do so.

We are very thankful for everyone's continued thoughts, prayers and love.