Doctor's appointment

[kitkatz]

Well I went to the nephrologist today.  He is going to write the letter to the transplant people and then off I go to Loma lInda.  Let's see what happens next here.  The tranplant coordinator said she would get a fax from them before paper work, then she will let me know.  I feel pretty good about it.  Now we wait.

[livecam]

Are you Kaiser Kitkatz?

[kitkatz]

Yes Kaiser here

[angieskidney]

is Kaiser better than Davita? I heard bad things so far about Davita if you don't have private insurance. Which company is the best one to do dialysis through in the United States? I am still Canadian so I wouldn't know and have no way to find out firsthand. 

[livecam]

Kitkatz...it might be neat to compare notes with you.  You also have the option of being double or triple listed at UCSD San Diego and UCLA Los Angeles.  That is a good strategy to follow for a quicker transplant.  I was originally listed at UCLA but got double listed at UCSD which is where the transplant occured.  I have a great team at the Panorama City facility.  The TX coordinator and my nephrologist there are the BEST.  KTX 11/8/2001 and working great.

Angie...Kaiser is an HMO, although they have a dialysis facility or two they are not a major provider....they will however get you a very nice transplant in southern California.

[kitkatz]

That is what they tell me.  They will not double list you in the same area.  UCLA and Loma Linda will not double list me as I will be considered to be on their combined list.  In order to be double listed I would have to go outside of the area and go through all kinds of rigamarole to do it with another hospital.  I think I will just wait patiently and let this come to me when it does.

[livecam]

Angie...best dialysis company?  It would be impossible to say because there are so many.  I think the larger chain companies might be on the lower end of the scale but that is just a gut feeling not based on fact.  The unit I used to go to was part of a smaller chain owned by Innovative Dialysis.  It is a first rate unit which I didn't realize until I had visited a couple of places in Hawaii and Las Vegas that compared to my unit were pretty ugly.  They took good care of me until the magic call came and it was dialysis no more.  The absolute best dialysis facility I ever used was in a small town in Germany.  The quality of care there was far superior to anything else I ever experienced.  Meals and drinks were provided by the unit for all patients while on treatment...pretty cool huh.  Looking out the window and seeing the real castle the one at Disneyland was based on didn't hurt either.  Hope that helps.

[livecam]

Kitkatz...after the original listing at UCLA the double listing at UCSD was a breeze.  I did not have to go there for an evaluation because they accepted the UCLA data for that purpose.  They sent me a year's supply of blood vials and prepaid envelopes for monthly blood work.  I would just take those to the unit where the blood would be drawn, paperwork completed, and the monthly sample mailed off.  I had never met any of the medical staff in San Diego when the call came.  If you wanted you should be able to double list with UCSD as it should be out of your local area.  Is D. S. your transplant coordinator?

[kitkatz]

Email me and we can talk about this double listing.

[angieskidney]

Is double listing only an American thing?

Angie...best dialysis company?  It would be impossible to say because there are so many.  I think the larger chain companies might be on the lower end of the scale but that is just a gut feeling not based on fact.  The unit I used to go to was part of a smaller chain owned by Innovative Dialysis.  It is a first rate unit which I didn't realize until I had visited a couple of places in Hawaii and Las Vegas that compared to my unit were pretty ugly.  They took good care of me until the magic call came and it was dialysis no more.  The absolute best dialysis facility I ever used was in a small town in Germany.  The quality of care there was far superior to anything else I ever experienced.  Meals and drinks were provided by the unit for all patients while on treatment...pretty cool huh.  Looking out the window and seeing the real castle the one at Disneyland was based on didn't hurt either.  Hope that helps.

I just wanted an idea and yes that did help thanks

basically I want to know what units people have had the best service with since I can't exactly go over the border and see for myself just yet.

hmm... maybe I should make a new post for this?? But where?

[kitkatz]

I HAVE BEEN APPROVED!  They are sending my paperwork to Loma Linda, as we speak, to the transplant unit and I should be hearing from them soon.  Kaiser team approved me and we are moving on with the process.  The transplant coordinator says I will have to see pulmonary department for TB treatment for nine months to be sure I do not have TB  becasue I have been exposed to it according to the positive TB test I had.   Hurray!   This moves at a snails speed, so every step forward is good.

[angieskidney]

congrats kat!

[MelissaJean]

I HAVE BEEN APPROVED!  They are sending my paperwork to Loma Linda, as we speak, to the transplant unit and I should be hearing from them soon.  Kaiser team approved me and we are moving on with the process.  The transplant coordinator says I will have to see pulmonary department for TB treatment for nine months to be sure I do not have TB  becasue I have been exposed to it according to the positive TB test I had.   Hurray!   This moves at a snails speed, so every step forward is good.

Congrats about being approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I know what you mean that it moves at a snails speed.  I began to get on the transplant list mid June and was finally put as active on the list beginning of August.  It may only be two months but it sure does feel long....

[kitkatz]

An update: I heard from the transplant coordinator a few days ago. All I have to to do is See the Urologist to make sure the urostomy is all working okay and then off to transplant list I should go if all is okay. I am waiting for the appointment from Loma Linda.  Hurry the hell up, people!  I hate waiting.  One step closer to transplant time.
 My sister and I talked about ti and she is willing to be checked out as a donor.   I was worried about her sick leave and such but she says she has saved enough that she would be paid through the recovery period.   Cool, huh.  There is love there I think.  Once I am on the list she can call in for testing.

[Rerun]

Best of luck!   

[vandie]

An update: I heard from the transplant coordinator a few days ago. All I have to to do is See the Urologist to make sure the urostomy is all working okay and then off to transplant list I should go if all is okay. I am waiting for the appointment from Loma Linda.  Hurry the hell up, people!  I hate waiting.  One step closer to transplant time.
 My sister and I talked about ti and she is willing to be checked out as a donor.   I was worried about her sick leave and such but she says she has saved enough that she would be paid through the recovery period.   Cool, huh.  There is love there I think.  Once I am on the list she can call in for testing.

Great news, Kit.  Your sister loves you, to be sure.  I am very happy for you.

[Sara]

That's great! 

[goofynina]

Good Luck Kit, and remember, we are here for you 

[kitkatz]

The continuing saga....
     I have an appointment with Loma Linda Urology, as part of my transplant work up, scheduled for December 4, 2006, at 2:30p.m. 
I have only been waiting for it for two months.  But the bozos put it on a dialysis day. It figures!  So I had to figure out how to do dialysis and still make the appointment.  I am going to do dialysis Mon, Wed. and Saturday of the week before. Then have dialysis Tues., Wed. and Friday of the next week after the appointment.  The shit I have to do to make these damned appointments.

But one step closer to that coveted spot on the transplant list!!!

[angieskidney]

Ya I am usually told that certain appointments are ONLY one certain days. I get frustrated and tell them "did you know my dialyisis is on certain days too??" 

[charee]

Good Luck  , you have a great sister  hope all goes well. 

[Fox_nc]

Good luck to you Kitkatz!  I've got my first transplant interview on the 6th.  I've found the only way to get through this is to not look at the big picture, but the small ones.  One deadline at a time. Like right now all I see is my surgery next week.  After that I will find the next deadline to look at.  I can't look at it like this could take 7 years or I would go craaaaaazy   

[kitkatz]

I also have dental clearance for transplant.  Mailed that off to the coordinator today.  That only took a month of hell to get it done.  Four wisdom teeth pulled and had the roots of my teeth cleaned.  They did one half of the mouth and pulled two wisdom teeth one week, then did the other half and pulled the rest the next week.  Why did I do it so close together? Because I knew I would not go back unless it was done quickly.  The hygienist was happy with me when I went back for the one month check up!  I will keep up the clean mouth policy from now on. Do NOT want to do that again!

One step closer to transplant listing!

[Black]

... One step closer to transplant listing!

 

[DeLana]

Ya I am usually told that certain appointments are ONLY one certain days. I get frustrated and tell them "did you know my dialyisis is on certain days too??" 

LOL this should occur to them    - but you made arrangements, just jump through their hoops and hopefully you will get on the list soon.

BTW, how wonderful of your sister to offer!

DeLana