Time for Education

BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT HEP C

GET TESTED FOR HEPATITIS
If you have had tattoos, or body piercings, you are at risk for Hep C. THERE IS NO CURE, no vaccines. Treatment is expensive and not available to all, and for most it is NOT EFFECTIVE.

Approx. 10,000 people die annually from this disease. It is the number one reason for Liver Transplants in the United States. Even if you get a liver transplant, all it does is "buy you time", the Hepatitis C Virus remains in your system and attacks your new liver. You are not "cured". Over 4 million people have Hep C, and approx another 150 million people have Hepatitis C and don't even know it. DO YOU??????

A simple blood test ordered by your physician can detect Hepatitis C. You may have to ask for it, as many doctors do not include it in routine lab work.

The blood supply from the Red Cross was NOT safe until June of 1992. Prior to that if you received a transfusion or blood products, you should be tested. Hep C can lay dormant in your body for up to 20 years before it starts to destroy your liver.
If you were ever in the military and received vaccinations via the air gun, you should be checked for Hepatitis C.

Over 1,780 people in the state of Maryland are infected with Hepatitis C. If You ever inhaled drugs through a straw or shared needles, you should be tested for Hepatitis C.

Wednesday February 17, 2010

Today at 10am they are coming in to hang blood in anticipation of her 1pm procedure. She is having and EGD and while they are in there the scope has a little ultrasound on the end of it (ain't technology wonderful??) and they will get a good look at her pancreas. They said an outside the body ultrasound (like when you are pregnant and have one) is 85% but this internal one is 100%. Robbi will be knocked out for the whole thing. This morning she feels alot of pain and is nauseated (nerves, maybe?)
but is bravely ready for her blood to be hung and get this procedure over with.
She has been so brave this whole hospitalization. Did I mention they told her that IF a liver comes in, it's hers. A few days ago her infection was so bad they said she was temporarily off the list, but now they said shes had the antibiotics long enough that although there would probably be a meeting among the surgeons beforehand, she would most likely get then transplant. So as badly as we would like to go home, being here already and her liver coming available would be SOOOOO COOOOOOOL!!!
Thank You to Raven, Robbis sister, for all her love and help with the kids, to Ryan, for all his love and support, and to the spouses of Raven and Ryan oe their love also.
And of course, thank you to wonderful Mike, the best husband in the world and next to me, Robbi's best supporter. We love you ALL.

Robbis Mom

In The hospital

Robbi remains in the hospital, they first said she had peritonitis, ruled that out, then said she had infection in her abdominal fluid, but said later that she didn't have 'enough infection' to really count as being the problem. They did CT scan of her
chest to rule out pneumonia (huh???) and then did tell her she has a blood infection which they are treating w/ 2 weeks of IV antibiotics (vancomycin) So we have no idea how long she will be in here, but will keep the blog updated.

Robbi's Mom

Welll, some news. Robbi had the excruciating gall bladder/spleen/liver pain again and Mike took her to the local ER, and the long and short of it is they are admitting her to Hopkins right this minute to run tests and have here there. I see this as a positive but very scarey developement. I don't know if they are admitting her to Hopkins to wait for the next available liver (like they did me) or if it will just be a few days and they will send her home. I am hoping they don't let her go until she is transplanted. I am going to go to her house and help my brother w/ the kids and then tomorrow head out for Hopkins to stay as long as I need to, as long as she is there. Please keep Robbi and Mike in your prayers.

Robbis Mom

my lovey

jessie