Re: Cornea Transplant

Well the doctor said that he recommends the transplant. There are only a few doctors who do the newest DYSAK procedure... thus there is a waiting period of 4 to 5 months before he can do the transplant...
He put me on the list for the procedure. He was very kind and reassuring. I told him I had some hesitation and sad feelings because of the fact that someone has to die in order for me to get a cornea transplant... I told him I know thousands of people die every day and it is in no way my fault but it just makes me a bit stressed and sad... He said that he looks at it in a different light... He said to him its much better to see the organs given as a gift from the donor and their families to help others and he marvels at how wonderful that gift is.
He told me that every year they hold a ceremony of memory and thanksgiving at the hospital here where people who have loved ones who have been donors light a candle in memory in honor of their loved ones and people who have received or who have loved ones who have received donor organs of which corneas or considered organs light a candle in thanksgiving... He said its a beautiful moving ceremony. I truly believe he feels this way. He spoke strongly and sincerely about how awesome he thinks organ donotion is. It definitely helps me. I will be seeing him in February just to touch base and he said it would give me a chance to gather my thoughts so I could ask him any questions I might have before we do the transplant. I don't honestly feel like I have any more questions. Dr. Heigle was very good about explaining everything I can expect. He told me there is some small risk of rejection. He said he has done the study for his own transplants and that it is 3.76 chance of rejection. He said that his staff will advise me thoroughly on what to watch for and that in most cases they can use an assortment of medications to halt rejection if we're vigilant. He expalined ad nauseum about the actual process... I will spare yall... LOL
Seriously I believe he is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about what he does and I feel grateful that I will have Dr. Heigel to do this procedure. Thank you all for your prayers. Hugs Elissa Cara's Mom For Always