Day 18 on the List

Nope, no phone call as yet.  Hear us drumming our fingers on the table?  You should, it sounds that loud - to us. 

Clay hasn't been feeling very well this week.  He's done battle with one of those irritating viruses going around; something like a cold that seemed to be building but doesn't actually go anywhere other making the person feel achy, weak, and tired.  He's feeling better today though, not totally over it, but says the achy feeling has gone.  He's laying low to ensure that he's on the mend. 

Good news about his weight - it continues to move in the right direction, as of this morning he weighed in at 218.  Max weight for listing was 230 with a BMI of 30.  Remember the surgeon explained that studies are showing people with a BMI of 28, rather than 30, do even better?  He assured us Clay is fine to be listed (which he was just a day or two later) but encouraged him to do what he could to continue to bring his weight down.  A BMI of 28 for Clay equates to a weight of 215 lbs.  When we heard that number we both felt a little weak in the knees sine it was about 10 lbs less than where he was at that time.  We all know how hard it is to loose 10 lbs.  I've been trying to do for about 5 yrs now with no success.  But hey!  It's only 3 lbs away at this point so everything continues to look good for a successful transplant. 

If you read my previous blog you know that I was able to track the actual number transplants; how many had occurred each month and for that year.  Those stats aren't available to me anymore.  Not because they are a secret but because the person who maintained the website passed away and the person who picked it up doesn't do it the same.  But the best we can figure out is that there were 53 transplants at the UW Medical Center in 2010.  Which has been about the average for the last several years, the highest being 55 early in 2000 (I think). 

I will attempt to find out more exact numbers (not necessarily because any of you are interested but because I personally like stats and this way I will have that info for myself).  The monthly support group is this coming week so I should have more info after that. 

Keep your positive thoughts coming this way.  And please, everyone, just think about - consider - being an organ donor.  If you aren't comfortable being one then don't, but if you feel that it could be the right thing for you then please make sure your driver's license marks you as a donor.  And please, discuss your choice with family and friends, let everyone around you know that should something horrible happen and your life is cut short, you want to donate life to anyone else that can benefit from an organ donation. 

Talk to you all soon!