Update Time

Well hello there and welcome back! Yes, it certainly has been a while hasn't it!? Nope, I haven't forgotten about this blog and the promises of 'frequent updates' I made months ago....actually, I have no excuses. I have lots to update about so sit back, grab a coffee, or any other refreshing beverage, and enjoy! I also promise consistent updates on this blog from this day forward. You'll actually want to follow along as there are interesting events in the works that you, the viewing public, will want to read about! Yup, every day this week there will be an update! No...really!!

So today marks the one year anniversary of my donation. Today, I feel good! My scar has healed up nicely, I'm back to doing everything I did before the operation and both my 6 and 9 month clinic visits and blood work results were perfect! I know! I'm the picture of health! To be honest, I still have numbness around the incision site and some tingling sensations that drive me nuts, but other than that, all is good!

A few weeks ago, I received a letter from Bryan Whitehead (Administrative Assistant for the living Donor liver program & all around nice fella!) with my next appointment schedule! The letter reads as follows...


Dear Awesome Chanman,
(OK, I made that up, he doesn't call me Chanman)

As part of your post surgical follow-up, we have scheduled appointments for you as you recover from your operation. As discussed in your pre-operative teaching, our program will review your status at the following time intervals: 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year and then annually for a 10 year period.

Yearly Post Follow Up Blood Work and Medical Imaging

You are due for your annual blood work in September. It is requested that you take this requisition to your local lab and have the results faxed directly to us at 416-340-3097.

An MRI will be scheduled for you to obtain a baseline at your one year mark. The MRI department will contact you directly with an appointment date and time.

Please do not hesitate to contact our office should you have any questions or concerns. Oh, and thanks for being so awesome!(OK, I made that last line up too)

With kind regards,
Bryan Whitehead
Administrative Assistant
Living Donor Liver Program
416-340-4800 Ext 6581

Like I said earlier, the MRI is already booked. I just have to remember not to eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to the exam and I can't wear any perfume...not a problem. That said, I may have trouble NOT eating as I have become a fat fucker the past few months. (proof of this will be posted later)
My blood tests consist of CBC, Glucose, Creatine, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, AST, ALT, ALP, Bilirubin, Urea, PT, PTT, INR. What are all these tests and what do they stand for? Well friends, you'll just have to come back tomorrow 'cause that's part of the next update!