[My] Life in Wisconsin

University of Minnesota... TP/AIT Procedure

Subtitled: "The Trouble With Casey's Referral."

Good Thursday Morning.

OK, Later than I'd anticipated...
Deep breath...
"Start over, Anna"...

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Yesterday found Casey here early.
Sick. Tired. And in obvious pain.
But it was time to contact the University of Minnesota; and yes, I wanted to be in on those calls.

After placing her call to Dr. Sutherlands assistant, (and to the Finance Director), she was told that her doctor here had not returned a single call to them.
They had been trying to contact him since the 5th of November.

They had heard nothing back.
(As if Casey wasn't feeling poorly enough).

She then called to her doctors office here, and was put through to his nurse.
FYI. She was told she was on speakerphone; with myself and Casey.
(It might be important later).

At first this nurse 'claimed' she had received no phone calls from them.

When given the names of the people that had called and had requested for Dr "X" to call them back, she admitted that in fact she had received those calls.

BUT, she said she did not know of this procedure, and that she would not give it to the doctor until she knew about it. We answered her questions; but she had a hard time with ours...

Casey asked what the hold up was. Nurse then said she had nothing in writing.
We then got the fax number from her.
This finally, after she had 1st given us her mothers number in Upper Michigan.
¿WTfH?

I asked again why Dr "X" had not called MN back, she answered, "nothing gets to him unless it comes through me first." end~quote

Nurse needed to know the co$t as well.
Casey told her.

To say I was aghast at what this nurse said to her next is NOTHING when compared to how it left Casey feeling...

Nurse: "Do you realize this is our entire budget?"

Casey started crying, (can you blame her?)...
But crying only made her own words quite unintelligible.
I sweetly took over the phone at that point, (kissed a little backside), and ended the conversation almost as quickly as I had taken it over.

"Never let 'em see ya sweat"... (or however it goes).


As soon as Casey was able to talk, we called Minnesota back; speaking once again to Dr. Sutherlands assistant.
While she seemed to take it all in stride, she was more than a bit upset.
She said she would send all that this "nurse" required; along with the entire description of the whole procedure.
Kind of made it sound like she might flood their fax machine.
(Personally, I hope she did).

Casey has pneumonia, and all the coughing makes her pancreas hurt much more.
She has posted a blog about this... CLICK HERE.

(Rock ~Casey~ Hard Place)

Anyway, after that conversation, Casey had to go pick up a prescription. I told her to "wait a minute," ~and quickly penned a note to Dr. "X".

In the note, I asked him WHY he had not returned any of those phone calls, and gave him the dates etc of these calls.
After watching Casey for these past moments, trying to calm her while I was pissed beyond measure, that note might have been a bit scathing; (after all, I did write what his nurse had said about the co$t) of the procedure.
I enclosed ALL of our phone numbers, and asked that he get back to us.
I sealed the envelope, dated the outside of that too, wrote his name on it, marked it "Personal and Confidential".

I told Casey who to give the envelope to at the clinic, and to make sure that they gave it directly to Dr. "X". No problem.
(Sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know).

While Casey waited for the prescription, she stopped by the "Contract Health" office. (This is where all of the insurance referrals go through). She filled them in on what had transpired.

THEY called the Administrator for her to talk to. Thank God someone is paying attention. He spoke to them all.
She left with her referral. (Budget be damned)!

Apparently Dr. "X" only works ½ day on Wednesdays. (The truth according to his nurse. When we had asked to speak with him earlier, she said he had patients all morning, and was gone in the PM).

So, not surprisingly, when my cell rang this morning it was Dr."X".
Sad that he had only called to tell me that he was upset and "took exception" to my note.
In laymen terms that translates to OMG was he pissed AT ME. (Oh well).
Said I made him feel stupid and a jerk.
I reminded him that I did not write those two words, and that I had a copy of that note.

He said that this was the 1st he knew of ANY of this all, and that a phone call would have done it.
"Not possible Doctor, see
your 'nurse' runs interference, and told me that unless we go through her first NOTHING goes to you."

He told me to make an appointment with him then. (Yeah, right).

He said he was there on Wednesday afternoons, but didn't take patients at that time. (Gee, and we were told he was gone)?

No, I didn't say those things, but I sure was thinking them. My attitude must have conveyed itself to him, and he told me I didn't have to get upset about this all.
I then asked him what HE would think if someone put a pricetag on his daughters head?
He also said he had no idea that she had even been seen in MN. I asked him who had written THAT referral? He said he didn't know, but that he would find out...

.~I am thinking that MORE than one head got rolled this morning. First by the Administrator; and then by the good doctor himself.

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Cnv0857
A girl can only hope...

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AT ANY RATE, CASEYS SURGERY IS A "GO"
And will be completely covered.
Praise God.
(And how very unChristian of me to wish it would come out of that nurses pocket).
Sorry.

sigh

Love to all.

XOXO
Anne

Counter
Counter

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Thursday November 13, 2008 - 01:01pm (CST)

Eyeballs. Animals. Cars. Weather...

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Sunrise, through the pines...
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Good Morning All;
Something really F~U~N~K~Y with my computer lately. Running and (reacting) quite choppy.  So if I am not "on" you know why.

I apologize for not blogging, having been spending lots of my time doing research on Casey's TP/AIT procedure; and finding people that have gone through this all.
We have not heard back yet; although Casey is to call Dr. Sutherland's office today.
Keep your fingers crossed please.

***Important note to Splat,
Please do not forget to UN~cross
those appendages.
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pancreas by you.


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As promised to my restless dogs, and myself,
we did take that walk back to the woods.
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Cnv0827.....Cnv0825
You do not see Miss Milly because she was on a leash.
Too many hunters around;
(bow, and bunny, and squirrel hunters)
to be taking any chances on her wandering off.

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Notice too, that we came home to disked fields.
(WTH ever happened to plowing a field,
like is suppose to be done)?

At any rate, this proved to be the last walk before the snow came.
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Cnv0838 by you.
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Cnv0837 by you.
Don't let ANYONE fool you.
These are the only acceptable snowfall amounts.
hehehe

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.Cnv0841......Cnv0842
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I wrote a message for you all
on the back windshield of the old Buick...

And just to give you a little idea how much "Snow" we got...

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Cnv0839
hehehe
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The "Snow" was all gone within an hour or 2.
(Yup. These ARE truly the snowfalls I love)!
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Did I mention my old reliable 1992 Buick Roadmaster?

Stay with me here for a minute...

Know that I haven't gone for "Chinese" in a while; but if I had, this is the fortune that would have been in my cookie.
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pee by you.

Stolen from here. CLICK
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Been fighting the ahem 'urge' to not fly off the toilet and go through the ceiling when I pee. And yes you know me, it's been going on since before we went to Minnesota.
And yes too, I did agree to take the antibiotics for three days.
(Are you proud of me now)?
It is some sulfa (and a HUGE horse) pill. I also take some prescription that turns my pee a very nasty red~orange~rust color. (If I didn't think I was dying before, this surely makes me wonder)?

Back to Monday...
I had that doctor appointment, and afterward had arranged to go pick up my boys.
As I got in the Rendezvous, throwing my winter jacket (and Punk) in the backseat, I turned the key...
...It clicked and the entire panel went black.

NO !!  WAIT, dammit, I'm late already...

Not being one to trust that these cars really mean it, I turned the key a few more times. (Just to give it more chances to start).

No go. No way. Just black.

There was also no way that I was forfeiting either the doctor appointment, or the boys. So I did what any other normal (read "desperate") human being would do.
I came back inside, grabbed the keys to the
Roadmaster;
(Unlicensed for 3 years, uninsured, & in dire need of shocks).
SO?
So hang on, cuz I gotta "go".

Got Punk in there.
She loves this car, and much prefers the velour seat covers to the leather anyway, (no slippage of dog with braking or cornering).

I turned the key, and it fired right up.

I made the call that I would be late for the Dr., and realized I needed some air in the tires too.
Late. It will have to keep til after.

It did.
And I did not take the boys.  Too darned unsafe in that car...
But I did go visit anyway. (Heck I'd gotten to the clinic without being pulled over, what's a few more miles)?
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Cnv0862 by you.
Master Gabriel!
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Cnv0861 by you.
And Baby Sam!
Where on earth did those blue eyes come from?!


And which is the dominant gene, blue or brown?
(9th grade biology escapes me right now).


Hmmm...
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Here's Miss Milly showing a bit of blue...
hehehe
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Cnv0853 by you.
Casey thought Milly was cold outside.
It was 42° that day, so... NOT.


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Even Mr Sputty shows off a blue~green cast from his eye.
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Cnv0860 by you.
So he is kinda fat...
Must have been the meeces.
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Of which I have seen NONE for the past weeks.
YAY Sputnik!

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Normally, I would tell you what this is all about...
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Cnv0883 by you.
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But THAT'S a whole 'nother blog (tomorrows); and I'd better close for now.

I do promise to try to keep you updated better...

Love to all.

XOXO
Anne


PS
The BLUE in today's counter (below) is as close to real on Baby Sam's eyes as I could find...



Originally posted to my Y! 360, Wednesday November 12, 2008 - 07:53am (CST)

RECALL- Aluminum Fragments in NESTLE Strawberry QUIK

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/nestle11_08.html
Nestlé USA is voluntarily recalling two (2) production codes of Nestlé Nesquik Strawberry Powder 21.8 ounce that may contain small fragments of aluminum.

The recall only includes two (2) production codes of 21.8-ounce containers of Nestlé Nesquik Strawberry Powder. Printed on the bottom of each plastic container is a production code of "82255880" or "82265880" with a best by date of "August 2010."

No other Nestlé Nesquik products or production codes of Nestlé Nesquik Strawberry Powder are affected by this recall.

The products were produced on August 12 and 13 and were distributed in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico.
Consumers who have this product at home can return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

Consumers with questions about the recall should call Nestlé Consumer Services Center at 888-637-4345.

Nestlé apologizes for any inconvenience experienced by our valued consumers and retail customers.

Contact (Media):
Pam Krebs
Nestlé USA
818-551-3362

RECALLED- Nestle, PESTICIDE IN CEREAL.

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/nestle211_08.html


Nestlé Withdraws Nestlé Farinha Lactea Cereal in the United States
Contact:
Nestlé USA Corporate
(818) 551-3284

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- November 3, 2008 -- Nestlé is withdrawing Nestlé Farinha Lactea cereal in the United States. Nestlé is taking this action as we have learned that the product may contain residual traces of a pesticide not currently approved for use on wheat in the U.S. While the pesticide is approved for use in Brazil and the noted levels are well below Brazilian standards, it is not used on wheat products in the United States and therefore there is no set standard for its presence in cereal. The pesticide is permitted in the United States on grain crops other than wheat.

Nestlé Farinha Lactea cereal is manufactured in Brazil by Nestlé Brazil and sold primarily in Portuguese language communities in the United States. The withdrawal applies to all sizes, varieties and production codes of the product. No other Nestlé products are affected.

Nestlé USA is assisting with the withdrawal of this product from the U.S. market to ensure the continued quality and safety of Nestlé products. Nestlé has not received any illness reports or consumer complaints.

Consumers who have purchased Nestlé Farinha Lactea cereal should not consume the product, and should return it to the store where they purchased it for a full refund.

We encourage consumers with questions about the withdrawal to contact Nestlé Consumer Services at (800) 628-7679. Media should contact Edie Burge at Nestlé USA Corporate & Brand Affairs at (818) 551-3284.

RECALLED- BABY Gas Relief Drops

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/johnsonjohnson11_08.html
Johnson and Johnson--Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company Announces Urgent Voluntary Nationwide Recall Of Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free Drops (Simethicone-Antigas) Non-Staining Due To Possible Metal Fragments

www.mylicon.com

Johnson and Johnson--Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company Announces Urgent Voluntary Nationwide Recall Of Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free Drops (Simethicone-Antigas) Non-Staining Due To Possible Metal Fragments

Media Contact:
Marc Boston
215-273-7649 (office)
215-429-7034 (mobile)
Bonnie Jacobs
215-273-8994 (office)
856-912-9965 (mobile)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Fort Washington, PA (November 7, 2008) – Johnson & Johnson • Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company (JJMCP) is voluntarily recalling approximately 12,000 units of Infants' MYLICON® GAS RELIEF DYE FREE drops (simethicone-antigas) non-staining sold in 1 oz. plastic bottles that were distributed after October 5, 2008 nationwide. The company is taking this action in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although the potential for serious medical events is low, the company is implementing this recall to the consumer level as a precaution after determining that some bottles could include metal fragments that were generated during the manufacturing process. If any medical events were to occur, most are expected to be temporary and resolve without medical treatment. Parents who have given the product to their infant and are concerned should contact their health care provider immediately.

The two lots of Infants' MYLICON® GAS RELIEF DYE FREE drops non-staining 1 oz. bottles included in the recall are:

Product
Code #
Lot #
Exp
Product

71683791111-1
SMF007
09/10
Infants' Mylicon® Gas Relief Dye Free Non-Staining Drops 1 oz.

71683791111-1
SMF008
09/10
Infants' Mylicon® Gas Relief Dye Free Non-Staining Drops 1 oz.


Consumers can find the lot numbers on the bottom of the box containing the product and also on the lower left side of the sticker on the product bottle.

Consumers who purchased Infants' MYLICON® GAS RELIEF DYE FREE drops non-staining included in this recall should immediately stop using the product and contact the company at 1-800-222-9435 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST) or via the internet at www.mylicon.com for instructions regarding how to dispose of the product and request a replacement or refund.

Infants' MYLICON® drops are sold over-the counter, in retail stores and pharmacies, as an anti-gas medicine to relieve the discomfort of infant gas frequently caused by air swallowing or by certain formulas or foods.

The recall does not affect any Original Infants' MYLICON® GAS RELIEF products (1/2 oz. or 1 oz. size) or Infants' MYLICON® GAS RELIEF DYE FREE drops non-staining (1/2 oz. size).

The manufacturer has instructed retailers and wholesalers to return their inventories.

Round Up!

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Other
Polly sent this to me.
I tried to upload it, and only could see the first few seconds.
What I saw was quite cute.
'Course I'm an old farmgirl too.

XOXO
Me

~



~
Please let me know...

CaseyFace Update. And The Witches Hat.

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Casey, at the University of Minnesota.
11-04-08

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Good Morning Everyone;
I have been trying to get around to blogs-
Most times I can, and at others my goofy dial~up quits on me and I have to reconnect.
Yadda. Yadda. Yadda.


We got home Wednesday afternoon, late- and gosh I have been so tired! So I have just taken it easy for the most part. But I did get unpacked. (Always a bonus)!

A few of you have written, emailed, and commented about Casey.
I have waited to update you, thinking she might do it on her blog.
She has not felt up to it, so here goes...

They have 'tentatively' scheduled Casey's transplant for Dec. 18th.


Dr. Sutherland feels that the TP/AIT will definitely stop her attacks.
(I sure as heck hope so).

TP = "Total Pancreatotemy"
AIT = "Auto Islet Transplant"

They remove the pancreas, do the biopsies.
Then isolate and remove the Islet Cells from it. (The Islet cells are the ones that produce insulin).
They then transplant the Islet Cells into her liver.

The liver is a regenerative organ. These cells actually grow and work within the liver then, instead of the pancreas.
The hope here is that she will not need to be insulin-dependent after her pancreas comes out.

They need to do all the financial BS, and get that guarantee... AND they have to finish with all of her records. (She has Tupperware storage boxes full).
I know they took all the discs of her surgeries etc.
We have to get there 2 days in advance of everything for tests; and to get her body ready.
The surgery is SO long...
And I'll be a basket case. (Yes, worse than I am now).
I am happy that my kids are all grown; because in true Dr. Suess fashion, Christmas will be canceled this year if she does have it on the 18th.

She will probably be in intensive care until at least Christmas... Some people have gone home 3 weeks out, some have gone home after 2 months. I have a feeling it could be a long winter...
BUT, one kid went home after only 2 weeks!
He was 17, and had not been sick this long; so they didn't have a problem transplanting his islet cells to his liver.

That is all I know for now...
We wait to hear back from them.



As we waited to be called in, the doctor got called away for emergency surgery.
So we went for a stroll (and a roll)!
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Cnv0776 by you.
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One very nice man took a picture of the 2 of us too.
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Cnv0780 by you.
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I had asked another man if he would take our picture.
(What, all of 4 seconds)?
To which he looked at me with my camera, and Casey in her chair, and said,
"No. I have to eat lunch."

hehehe
TRUE!    (And I immediately felt like a leper)!

As he walked away I muttered to him that he didn't need it.
(See, I don't like being made to feel like a leper).

The guy that did take it heard the exchange and stepped right up..
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After the Dr., we drove around for a while.
Off in the distance to see a remarkable water tower.
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Cnv0787 by you.


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Cnv0789 by you.
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It is a park now.
At the bottom of the hill were 2 young men playing tennis.
(Punk was simply enthralled).
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And so far up for Casey!
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Cnv0801 by you.
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Cnv0792 by you.
But she made it all the way!
Downtown Minneapolis in the background
The weird building on the far right is the hospital
at U of M
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Another man  came up while we were taking pictures
He took another of us.

(Must have already had his lunch)...
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Cnv0798 by you.
Punk seemed to want to know what the heck he was doing with my camera?
hehehe

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A long trek back down, but it's always easier going downhill


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Cnv0803 by you.
She uses that cane with such aplomb!

And hey, I haven't gotten thwacked with it!
...Yet!

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I'd better close for now...
My dogs are getting restless and so am I.
A little fresh air will do us all a fair amount of good.

Love to all!

XOXO
Anne

Counters

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Friday November 7, 2008 - 10:13am (CST)

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Other
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

"Although this year's level of rumors has been ferocious and bizarre, the phenomenon of whisper campaigns, misinformation and smears is as much a part of our nation's roots as elections themselves.

Thomas Jefferson was accused of being anti-Christian; his opponents warned that he would destroy the religious fabric and values of the country and promote an orgy of rape, incest, and adultery.

John Adams, opponents said, was pro-monarchy and was planning on marrying his son to the daughter of King George III." -- Associated Press

Free Ride?

Rating:
Category:Other
Or porn?

~
Cnv0759

~

You be the judge...

~

Weather Center - United States and Canada


http://www.almanac.com/weatherhistory/
Waaaaay COOL!

Do you want to know the weather on the day you were born?
Well, if you were born after 1945...

(Or any other day for that matter)?
Click the link above, enter your date, and zip or city...

XOXO
Me

Find weather history for any of 2,000 locations in the United States and Canada on any date from 1946 to the present. You can also browse for locations by state or province.

Weather history data is currently available up to November 4, 2008.

New ways to mitigate migraines

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-11-03-migraine-pain_N.htm
By Anne Godlasky, USA TODAY
Headaches distract. Migraines can debilitate. Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from the throbbing pain, costing employers some $13 billion a year from missed workdays and impaired work function, according to research reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

"You can be out for three days — lie there and not move, feel nauseous but not throw up — it's incapacitating,"

_______________________

Good Morning Everyone;
By now all of you know that I get migraines on a very regular (but unpredictable) basis.
This article is a must read for anyone that gets these...
Please click the link above.

Love to all.

XOXO
Anne

Reminders are good

Link

Please click the lnk above.
This is absolutely beautiful! And a tribute to friendship and love!
Thank you Grandma Gardener!

XOXO
Anne

Did You Vote???

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Other
Have you voted?

And what was your polling place like?


I voted early (October 24th)- as soon as I knew I'd be away from home.
There were 2 people in front of me- (one of them was Casey)!
hehehe

Hope you got out there!

XOXO
Anne

Please. Copy. Paste. Share. Email. Vote.

  magnify

Photo taken at St. Marys, in March.

LONG,
BUT A "MUST READ" ~IF YOU HAVE NOT DECIDED WHO TO VOTE FOR.

Many of you know that I am not a very political person. I stay 'current' best I can, but that is about it.

I do not mean to ever tell anyone who to vote for, but in the case of many "undecided votes" this is only an appeal to them.

Have you noticed where the McCain/Palin signs are?
Am wondering how many of those people really DO make in excess of 200/250K each year?

A while back I'd posted a blog that had cinched my own vote.

It is simply entitled: "An Open Letter to John McCain" http://flintville.multiply.com/journal/item/681
(Please CLICK HERE to read this if you are unfamiliar with it).

So that you know up front, I have voted for Barack Obama.

I have voted since 1976, (the year I turned 18). I have always been proud to cast my vote.

I am neither Republican nor Democrat.
As my own record will allow, I have voted for both through the years.

My youngest daughter is chronically ill.
She suffers from Chronic Pancreatitis.

It is a debilitating disease which, at her age, (21), has been treated mostly only to control the pain.

She has also had many many surgeries, exploratory and otherwise.
With each bout of pancreatitis, her pancreas is slowly digesting itself...

She has lost three out of her last 4 jobs because she has been hospitalized too often. (The 4th being a temporary tax position, for tax season).

Maintaining straight A+'s before she was ill and incapacitated, she has struggled to even be allowed to attend college.
(As many of you already know, that struggle did NOT pay off for her).

http://flintville.multiply.com/tag/%26quot%3Bcollege_problems%26quot%3B

*See "UWGB"- or "college problems" within my tags on my top page

UWGB (The University of Wisconsin at Green Bay), REQUIRED that she guarantee that she could attend an entire semester without being hospitalized, or they would pull her grant money and student loans. Forced then to withdraw by Mr. Herrity, she has been unable to guarantee that with each subsequent semester.

I have watched her go downhill by leaps and bounds some days.

She has constant pain.

Some days it is minor, (# 5 pain), ~livable.

Others she is completely down for the count.

At its worst and ugliest, she is hospitalized for weeks at a time.

She now uses a cane because she cannot eat many things that are vital to her survival.
As her body leaches the protein from her muscles, she quickly grows too weak to walk without the assistance of that cane.

And on to my thoughts/quotes.

In a nutshell a few words from CNN really caught my attention this weekend.

On explaining the differences in the two candidates Health Care Reform. I believe that Austin Goolsbee explained it best.

If I had any reservations of casting my vote, suffice to say I have none now.

As close to the actual words as I could jot them down:

"McCains plan completely undoes the employer based coverage that is the cornerstone of coverage in our country.

20 million people are covered by employer based health insurance.
Under McCains plan, the costs to the employer will be astronomical.

So those 20 million people , (many of whom are already sick), will be thrown into the individual market where the costs are going to be extremely high, or where they just may be excluded because they have a preexisting condition."

That is not possible under Senator Obama's plan, but it is guaranteed under McCains.

Buying your own insurance, even with the 5K for families (paid for by taxing your health insurance monies), will still end up costing the insured.


Trying to buy health insurance?
For a family, 12K is average.
(Then add on your copays, and your deductibles, etc).

As it is now, health insurance companies compete by excluding those who are sick, (like my daughter).

Douglas Eakin then rebutted this with McCains ideas of rewarding prevention and rewarding wellness.

"Mr Eakin, my daughter has done nothing to have/deserve/obtain this disease.
She is neither a drinker, nor has she used illicit/illegal/street drugs to become an addict."

Eakin also said about deferring treatment away from the acute care facilities; the ER's, the hospitals and the like.
That seems to be all well and good. Especially in a perfect world.
*** But what happens when a chronically ill person needs to be treated/hospitalized on weekends?

Would your plan force those doctors to keep their individual doors open 24/7 ? Doubtful.
(Please remember that many of these Drs. make well in excess of 250K/ annually).

As was noted on another show, I also have seen no other Republicans touting McCains health care plan.
That in itself, is highly questionable.

For years, I was paying in excess of $460.00 per month for my own health insurance.
Did I have preexisting conditions at that point?
Yes. Migraine headaches and hypothyroidism. (Neither of which were covered by my insurance for that 1st year; nor were the meds).

One of my daughters surgeries/hospitalizations was in excess of $49,000. (This was after she had been dropped by the college, and then by her fathers health insurance because she was not attending college).

Talk about a vicious circle...
These monies came directly out of my pocketbook, as did many others.


The way I see it...


Think about yourself for a moment...

  • High blood pressure?
  • Thyroid problems?
  • Domestic abuse
  • Migraines?
  • Epilepsy?
  • Previous heart attack or stroke?
  • Ever treated for Lyme Disease?
  • Emotional problems?
  • Any mental diagnosis', including mild depression?
  • Diabetic?
  • Endometriosis?
  • Recurring back pain?

    CLUE: If you have gone to the doctor in the last 3-5 years, then you already have a preexisting condition.

Any of those and you are prevented from obtaining medical coverage, including Medicare backup policies, unless you are rich to begin with.

But wait, that just takes us back to the good old boys in Washington D.C.

A vicious circle of ... ?


Mr McCain, you lost my vote when you said the following in the last debate:
"America will receive more money under my plan because they will receive not only their present benefits, which may be taxed, which will be taxed, but then you add $5,000 onto it, except for those people who have the gold-plated Cadillac insurance policies that have to do with cosmetic surgery and transplants and all of those kinds of things."
end quote

I have heard no apologies nor clarifications from you or your 'people' regarding this. How can you possibly put cosmetic surgery and life saving transplants in the same group?
"Gold plated Cadillac?" You have GOT to be kidding!

~So, here's clarification from me.
Your health care proposal?
It is only more money if people do not spend it.
It is only "better" if they do not have to go further into debt to use it in accordance with your proposal.

I have always prided myself on not selecting my vote on one issue.
I haven't.
I also believe that Mr. Obama will get my Godson out of Iraq.
(But that's a whole nother can of worms).

_____

To my readers,
If you are reading this on Monday know that we will be on the road to visit yet another doctor... Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Furthermore, should you feel this has any merit, please forward or pass it along some other way.

Please do leave my links etc. attached ~so people can be directed to Casey's illness or stories if they would like.

Thank You.
Anne, Anna~Anna, Mama D.
http://flintville.multiply.com/
Anna_Loves_Life@Yahoo.com


*  If there is even the slightest chance that CaseyAnne would be denied health insurance in the future under McCain's proposal, then it is high time to ensure that does NOT happen!

And, there are too many others like herself that struggle to even function on a daily level.

Turn my vote against help for them all?  Not a chance.

Please join me in voting for Mr. Barack Obama.



Originally posted to my Y! 360, Sunday November 2, 2008 - 11:38pm (CST)

Are You Warm Enough? (Help With Heating Bills and Assistance Programs)...


http://www.helpwithheatingbills.com
STAY WARM THIS WINTER, (even if you're broke)...

"Obtain help with heating bills by taking advantage of the many programs offered by your state, your local utility company, and also other organizations. We will provide you the information you need to obtain heating bill assistance."

http://www.helpwithheatingbills.com/html/heating_bill_assistance_progra.html

States include: (but not limited to),
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin

**Your state not listed? Click on the following:
http://www.helpwithheatingbills.com/html/heating_bill_assistance_progra.html

and then click on the words "get help paying utility bills"

I found this all while reading this:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081102/GPG0101/811020729/1207&located=RSS

There is help available to most people.

Good Luck, and stay warm!

XOXO
Anne

Please pass this on to your friends or family that could use this...

Halloween and Sunshine!

 magnify
I will post more Halloween pictures in my private album later...

.
.
Good November Afternoon!
Chilly today; compared to yesterdays more mild temps in the 60's.
And I tried to make the very most of it.
I did get Kelli's lawn cut, (after literally HOURS of waiting for my anxiety levels to go down sufficiently enough just to get some gas for the Cub Cadet).
What nasty things these are...
Almost suffocating; and most assuredly stifling...
.
.
So; by the time I could go, I felt compelled to get dressed for the day too.
.
.
Cnv0747 by you.
And down the road I went on that little rider mower.
.
.
.
Happy to say that no one drove in the ditch;
although their horns honked very well.
hehehe.
.
.
.
.
When I got to Kelli's,
the first thing that greets me is this guy...

.
.
Cnv0723 by you.
..
Black cats are simply awesome!
.
.
.
.
I thought the horses might be afraid of my costume...

.
.
May and Breeze by you.
But neigh, they were not afraid,
only nosy...

hehehe
.
.
They watched for a while, up by the gate to see if maybe I would throw some extra treats their way. That didn't happen, so they mosied on back to graze some more.
(I won't mention that their leaving directly and immediately coincided with my belting out the final na~nahs of "Me and Bobby McGee").
♫... na na nah, na na na nah; na na na na na na nah...
.
.
Oh well!
And time to head home; ~~for the year!

I still have lawn to cut here, but at 48 degrees and breezy, it will keep for a while.
I hate being cold. And no, I will not cut lawn all bundled up.

On 2nd thought, maybe I will do just that... (Gotta get my sunshine)!
Besides, it won't keep 'til we get back from Caseys appointment at the University of Minnesota.

Love to all.
Have a 'wunnaful' ~and sunshiney~ weekend!

XOXO
Anne


 
Originally posted to my Y! 360, Saturday November 1, 2008 - 11:59am (CDT)

Caseys 1st Appointment with Dr Sutherland

Start:     Nov 4, '08 10:00a
This is a consultation appointment.
I shall keep you all informed of his care, and his recommendations, (and of our little trip too)!

XOXO
Anne

Donate Life America

http://www.donatelife.net/UnderstandingDonation/LearnTheFacts.php
First of all, I am afraid I do not know how to "read" this chart.
Please click and let me know?
http://www.optn.org/latestData/rptStrat.asp

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Laws that oversee donation vary from state to state.
It is important for you to know how to ensure your decision to be a donor is carried out.

Find out how: CLICK BELOW
http://www.donatelife.net/CommitToDonation/states.php?state=state

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Learn the facts
Despite continuing efforts at public education, misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation persist. Learn these facts to help you better understand organ, eye and tissue donation:

Fact: Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.

Fact: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.

Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.

Fact: When you are on the waiting list for an organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information, not your financial status or celebrity status.

Fact: An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.

Fact: There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation.

Fact: Signing a donor card and a driver's license with an "organ donor" designation may not satisfy your state's requirements to become a donor. Be certain to take the necessary steps to be a donor and ensure that your family understands your wishes.

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Statistics
Although there have been advances in medical technology and donation, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donation still vastly exceeds the number of donors. For more information, read the summary below or create a detailed data report on the UNOS Web site.


Almost 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.

Every 12 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.

An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.

In 2005, there were 7,593 deceased organ donors and 6,895 living organ donors resulting in 28,108 organ transplants.

In 2005, 44,000 grafts were made available for transplant by eye banks within the United States.

Approximately 1,000,000 tissue transplants are performed annually.

According to research, 98% of all adults have heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.

90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.

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GLOSSARY

Actionable Donor Designations
Taking the appropriate steps in one's home state to ensure that a personal decision to become a donor is recognized and honored.

Allocation
The process of determining how organs are distributed. Allocation includes the system of policies and guidelines, that ensure organs are distributed in an equitable, ethical and medically sound manner.

Allocation Policies
Rules established by the OPTN to guide and regulate organ allocation and distribution in the United States.

Best Practices
Processes and activities shown in practice to be the most effective.

Blood Type
One of four groups (A, B, AB or O) into which blood is classified. Blood types are based on differences in molecules (proteins and carbohydrates) on the surface of red blood cells.

Candidate
A person registered on the organ transplant waiting list. When an organ is offered on behalf of the candidate, he or she is then referred to as a Potential Transplant Recipient (PTR).

Collaborative
A time-limited effort (usually six to 12 months) of multiple organizations that come together with faculty to learn about and to create improved processes in a specific topic area. The expectation is that the teams share expertise and data with each other, thus "everyone learns, everyone teaches."

Conversion, conversion rate
The percentage of times a death meeting eligible criteria (eligible death) becomes an actual donor.

Criteria (Medical Criteria)
A set of clinical or biologic standards or conditions that must be met.

Crossmatch
A blood test to determine compatibility between donor and recipient. A positive crossmatch indicates incompatibility. If the crossmatch is "negative," then the transplant may proceed. Crossmatching is performed for many organ transplants.

Deceased Donor
An individual from whom at least one solid organ is recovered or the purpose of transplantation after suffering brain death or cardiac death

Deceased Donor Transplant
The transplant of an organ
from a deceased donor.

Diabetes
A disease in which the pancreas does not manufacture an adequate amount of insulin. As a result, the level of sugar in the blood is too high. A leading factor in heart and kidney disease.

Donate Life America
Formerly the Coalition on Donation, Donate Life America is a national not-for-profit alliance of local affiliates and corporate partners that joined forces to inspire all people to Donate Life� through organ, eye and tissue donation. At the core of the organization's education efforts are the ongoing qualitative and quantitative research of public attitudes about organ, eye and tissue donation and the development and dissemination of effective, motivating public service campaigns. Distributed at the national and community level, these multi-media campaigns effectively communicate two core messages: "Transplants give people their life back," and "Here is how you can help."

Founded by the transplant community in 1992, Donate Life America publishes brochures, program kits and other materials; provides technical assistance, training, information and referral services; and coordinates the National Campaign for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation. It is comprised of national organizational members and local coalitions across the U.S. that coordinate donation related activities at the local level. Volunteer advertising agencies work with the Coalition and its committees to develop targeted mass media campaigns.

Donate LifeSM, Done VidaSM
Since 2000, Donate Life and its Spanish-translation Done Vida have been the primary slogans and service mark logos of the Coalition on Donation, promoting donation as a forthright, life-affirming action. The Coalition encourages the widest possible use of its logos and materials in order to provide a sustained, unified national message about donation. Guidelines and policies are in place to ensure consistency, appropriate use, and the integrity of these national logos and materials.

Donor
Someone from whom at least one organ or tissue is recovered for the purpose of transplantation. A deceased donor is a patient who has been declared dead using either brain death or cardiac death criteria, from whom at least onevascularized solid organ is recovered for the purpose of organ transplantation. A living donor is one who donates an organ or segment of an organ for the intent of transplantation.

Donor Designation Collaborative
Donate Life America program launched in 2006 to increase Actionable Donor Designations in the United States by identifying and spreading best practices in the areas of measurement and analysis; effective partnerships and relationships; and registry development, management and promotion.

End-Stage Organ Disease
A disease that leads to the permanent failure of an organ.

First Person Consent Legislation
Legislation that allows donor designation to be indicated on a driver's license or an official signed donor document, which gives hospitals legal authority to proceed with organ procurement without consent from the family.

High Blood Pressure (hypertension) (HTN)
When the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels is higher than normal because the blood vessels have either become less elastic or have gotten smaller. High blood pressure causes the heart to pump harder to move blood through the body. High blood pressure can cause kidney failure and heart disease if not treated.

Hypertension
High blood pressure. Occurs when the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels is higher than normal because the blood vessels have either become less elastic or have gotten smaller. Hypertension causes the heart to pump harder to move blood through the body. It can cause kidney failure and heart disease if not treated.

Immunosuppressive
Relating to the weakening or reducing of your immune system's responses to foreign material; immunosuppressive drugs reduce your immune system's ability to reject a transplanted organ.

Kidneys
A pair of organs that remove wastes from the body through the production of urine. All of the blood in the body passes through the kidneys about 20 times every hour. Kidneys can be donated from living and deceased donors and transplanted into patients with kidney failure.

Liver
The largest organ in the body, made up of a spongy mass of wedge-shaped lobes. The liver secretes bile, which aids in digestion, helps process proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and stores substances like vitamins. It also removes wastes from the blood. A living donor can give part of their liver, after which the liver will regenerate itself in both the donor and recipient.

Living Donation
When a living person gives an organ or a portion of an organ for use in a transplant. A kidney, or portion of a liver, lung, pancreas or intestine may be donated. See also Living Donor, Organ Donation.

Living Donor
A living person who donates an organ for transplantation, such as a kidney or a segment of the lung, liver, pancreas, or intestine. Living donors may be blood relatives, emotionally related individuals, or altruistic strangers. These may also include domino heart or liver transplants. See Domino Transplant.

Lungs
The organs of respiration in which aeration of the blood takes place, consisting of a right and left lung divided into lobes. The right lung has three lobes and the left lung has two lobes.

Match
The compatibility between the donor and the recipient. The more appropriate the match, the greater the chance of a successful transplant.

Match Run
A computerized ranking of transplant candidates based upon donor and candidate medical compatibility and criteria defined in OPTN policies.

Medicare
The program of the Federal government that provides hospital and medical insurance, through social security taxes, to people age 65 and over, those who have permanent kidney failure and certain people with disabilities.

Model for Improvement
An approach to process improvement, developed by Associates in Process Improvement, which helps teams accelerate the adoption of proven and effective changes. See also Plan-Do-Study-Act.

Organ
A part of the body made up of tissues and cells that enable it to perform a particular function. Transplantable organs are the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and intestines.

Organ Donation
To give an organ or a part of an organ to be transplanted into another person. Organ donation can occur with a deceased donor, who can give kidneys, pancreas, liver, lungs, heart, intestinal organs, and with a live donor, who can give a kidney, or a portion of the liver, lung, or intestine.

Organ Placement Process
When organs are donated, the host OPO accesses the national transplant computer system through the Internet, or contacts the Organ Center at UNOS. Information about the donor is entered into the system and a donor/recipient match is run for each donated organ. The resulting match list of potential recipients is ranked according to criteria defined in that organ's allocation policy (i.e. blood type, tissue type, size of the organ, medical urgency of the patient as well as time already spent on the waiting list and distance between donor and recipient). Each organ has its own specific criteria.

Using the match list of potential recipients, the host OPO's organ procurement coordinator or the Organ Placement Specialist in the Organ Center contacts the transplant center of the highest ranked patient, based on policy criteria, to be offered the organ. If the organ is turned down, the next potential recipient's transplant center on the match list is contacted until the organ is placed. Once the organ is accepted for a patient, transportation arrangements are made and transplant surgery is scheduled. See also, Wait List, Wait List Registration, Waiting Time.

Organ Placement Specialist
Organ Center personnel responsible for coordinating the organ matching process among OPTN members.

Organ Preservation
Methods used to preserve organs while they are out of the body, between procurement from a donor and transplantation into a recipient.

Organ Procurement
The removal or retrieval of organs from a donor for transplantation.

Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)
In 1987, Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act that mandated the establishment of the OPTN and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. The purpose of the OPTN is to improve the effectiveness of the nation's organ procurement, donation and transplantation system by increasing the availability of and access to donor organs for patients with end-stage organ failure. The Act stipulated that the Network be a non-profit, private sector entity comprised of all U.S. transplant centers, organ procurement organizations and histocompatibility laboratories. These members along with professional and voluntary healthcare organizations and the representatives of the general public are governed by a Board of Directors which reports to the Division of Transplantation, HRSA and ultimately HHS. UNOS holds the OPTN contract.

Organ Procurement Organization (OPO)
An organization designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and responsible for the procurement of organs for transplantation and the promotion of organ donation. OPOs serve as the vital link between the donor and recipient and are responsible for the identification of donors, and the retrieval, preservation and transportation of organs for transplantation. They are also involved in data folow-up regarding deceased organ donors. As a resource to the community OPOs engage in public education on the critical need for organ donation. See also Donation Service Area (DSA).

Pancreas
Irregularly shaped gland that lies behind the stomach and secretes pancreatic enzymes into the small intestines to aid in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Islet cells within the pancreas secrete glucagon, which regulates blood sugar levels and insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels. If the pancreas fails, the individual becomes diabetic, and may need to take insulin. The pancreas can be donated and transplanted.

Patient Survival
The length of time a patient survives after receiving a transplant.

Placement
The process of alocating donated organs via the match system.

Potential Donor
A patient who meets the criteria for brain death with no absolute contraindications to organ donation as defined by a standardized list from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision.

Procurement
The surgical procedure of removing an organ from a donor. Also referred to as recovery.

Recipient
A person who receives a transplant.

Recovery (Organ)
The surgical procedure of removing an organ from a donor.

Rejection
A phenomenon that occurs when a recipient's immune system attacks a transplanted organ, tissue, or cell. Immunosuppressive drugs help prevent or treat rejection.

Renal
Having to do with, or referring to, the kidneys.

Retransplantation
Due to rejection or failure of a transplanted organ, some patients receive another transplant.

Retrieval
The surgical procedure of organ recovery. Also referred to as procurement.

Split liver
A split liver transplant occurs when the donor liver is divided into segments and then transplanted. These segments may be transplanted into more than one recipient, or a segment could be transplanted into a child for whom an entire adult liver would be too large.

Status
An indication of the degree of medical urgency for patients awaiting heart or liver transplants. Examples: status 1A, status 1B, or status 2.

Survival Rates
Survival rates indicate the percentage of patients that are alive and the grafts (organs) that are still functioning after a certain amount of time. Survival rates are used in developing OPTN policy.

Tissue
An organization of a great many similar cells that perform a special function. Examples of tissues that can be transplanted are blood, bones, bone marrow, corneas, heart valves, ligaments, saphenous veins, and tendons.

Tissue Typing
A blood test that helps evaluate how closely the tissues of the donor match those of the recipient.

Transplant Center
A hospital that performs transplants, including qualifying patients for transplant, registering patients on the national waiting list, performing transplant surgery and providing care before and after transplant.

Transplant Team
The diverse group of professionals at the transplant center who work to make a transplant successful. Each person on the "transplant team" is an expert in a different area of transplantation. The transplant team includes all or some of the following professionals:


Clinical transplant coordinators have responsibility for the patient's evaluation, treatment, and follow-up care.

Transplant physicians are doctors who manage the patient's medical care, tests, and medications. He or she does not perform surgery. The transplant physician works closely with the transplant coordinator to coordinate the patient's care until transplanted, and in some centers, provides follow-up care to the recipient.

Transplant surgeons perform the transplant surgery and may provide the follow-up care for the recipient. The transplant surgeon has special training to perform transplants.

Financial coordinators have detailed knowledge of financial matters and hospital billing. The financial coordinator works with other members of the transplant team, insurers, and administrative personnel to coordinate and clarify the financial aspects of the patient's care before, during, and after the transplant.

Social workers help patients and their families understand and cope with a variety of issues associated with a patient's illness and/or the various side-effects of the transplant itself. In some cases, the social worker may perform some of the financial coordinator duties as well.

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
The private, nonprofit membership organization that coordinates the nation's transplant system through HRSA's OPTN contract. As OPTN contractor, UNOS is responsible for meeting all contract requirements. As contractor since the first OPTN contract award in 1986, UNOS has established and continually strives to improve tools, systems and quality processes that support OPTN contract objectives and requirements. These include:

Managing the national organ transplant waiting list

Collecting, managing and reporting of sensitive clinical data in a secure, fail-safe environment

Facilitating an open, inclusive forum for development and continuous refinement of evidence-based policies and standards

Member and policy performance assessment to ensure equitable, safe treatment of candidates and recipients

Increasing donation and making the most of every organ that is donated through professional education, outcomes research, patient services and resources and public and professional education

Continuously improving the care, quality of life and outcomes of organ transplant candidates and recipients

Ventilator
A machine that "breathes" for a patient when the patient is not able to breathe properly.

Wait List
The list of candidates registered to receive organ transplants. When a donor organ becomes available, the matching system generates a new, more specific list of potential recipients based on the criteria defined in that organ's allocation policy (e.g., organ type, geographic local and regional area, genetic compatibility measures, details about the condition of the organ, the candidate's disease severity, time spent waiting, etc.).

Waiting Time
The amount of time a candidate is on the Wait List. Waiting times can be influenced by many factors, including:

blood type (some are rarer than others)

tissue type

height and weight of transplant candidate

size of donated organ

medical urgency

time on the waiting list

the distance between the donor's hospital and the potential donor organ

how many donors there are in the local area over a period of time and

the transplant center's criteria for accepting organ offers

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