COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Once again I had the wind taken out of my sails. Yesterday I had a Cardiac Cath done. The transplant team required it. Long story short I have 1 100% blockage on the right side and a 90% blockage on left side. My cardio dr. spoke to the transplant dr. prior to the procedure and he was told not to put in a medicated stent because it's medicated with a blood thinner.
Because of my emphysema, they can't do a bypass.
So it comes down to a choice, get my heart fixed and forget about the transplant (which is not a sure thing, I could be waiting for years) or possibly doing nothing and hope I can get a lung. They told me because I am so "tiny" I would need a child's lung or a really small person.
I will meet with the heart doc on Thursday. Hopefully he will have talked to the transplant team and get a direction to go in.
Needless to say I am more than a little bummed.
My father always told me to bet on sure things and not longshots. The transplant, to me is a long shot. So I may opt for the heart surgery and drop the idea of a transplant.
BTW our vacatiion was fun.
Because of my emphysema, they can't do a bypass.
So it comes down to a choice, get my heart fixed and forget about the transplant (which is not a sure thing, I could be waiting for years) or possibly doing nothing and hope I can get a lung. They told me because I am so "tiny" I would need a child's lung or a really small person.
I will meet with the heart doc on Thursday. Hopefully he will have talked to the transplant team and get a direction to go in.
Needless to say I am more than a little bummed.
My father always told me to bet on sure things and not longshots. The transplant, to me is a long shot. So I may opt for the heart surgery and drop the idea of a transplant.
BTW our vacatiion was fun.
IMO there isn't a decision. Your father is right by my lights - your heart comes first. There are continuing (and astounding) advances in transplant tech that may make one more viable for you in the near future - even with the stent. But you gotta have a beating heart to take advantage of it...
Hugs,
Dennis
I am glad you enjoyed your vacation:):):)
I am also considering a transplant (still thinking) but I know this much.
It is a HEAVY , long tramatic major operation, and a person should be as healthy as possible.
If that had been me, my transplant doctor would have nixed the transplant idea right there. No, you do not need bloodthinners to go into a major operation, but you do need a strong enough heart to get thru the surgery.
And assuming you do get thru it, are they then , when you are on all those anti rejection meds, going to turn around and give you heart surgery? Maybe then you could have a bypass, but how much trauma does your body need?
I am not trying to make a decision for you, this is a decision only you can make, but as Dennis says, new techniques in transplants are coming along each day, and you are still young enough to fit the age limit.
I hope all goes well for you. But the heart is very important , and if it were me, I would get it fixed first, get built up again and then consider transplant if it is still an option to you.
Blessings to you
Brenda
I wish you the best. Thank you for sharing your information.
my dr tells me how my high blood pressure is actually because of my lungs. that my heart has to work harder because it has to try to get my oxygen all over my body.
SOOOOOOOO--- here's my thought;
if you have these blockages that your heart can't pump your oxygen thru, then getting the blockages fixed might increase your oxygen stats because the blood will be able to flow better???
so if you get the blockages fixed your oxygen will be more efficient????
=what good is a lung transplant if your heart can't pump the oxygenated blood past the blockages?
once again, do i make sense?
can someone understand & word me better? LOL
Hugs,
Debi
I also agree with your father and Dennis, get your heart fixed first.
Gary