It's been another busy week, filled with appointments. On Monday, I had to go to the dentist, which is never fun. What do my teeth have to do with anything related to my heart, you wonder? It is weird, but the health of your mouth has a big role to play when needing a transplant, I've been told. Because it is so easy to get an infection in your mouth, and because after the transplant I will be on such high doses of immunosuppressive medications again - causing me to basically have no immune system whatsoever - any infection in the mouth (or really, anywhere) can go straight to the heart and cause major problems.
To make the dentist even more fun than it already is, one of my medications that I am on right now causes my gums to overgrow. It is very painful and I've already had to have one oral surgery to cut them back, but unfortunately, they will continue to grow back no matter how many times I get that done until I am off the medication. Because of this, the typical cleaning is also very painful and makes my mouth just bleed and bleed. Needless to say, I was glad when that appointment was over! My dentist in close contact with my periodontist and it is quite the slippery slope, actually. My cardiologists don't want me having any surgery that is not absolutely necessary, but again want my teeth and gums in good shape. There is so much that goes into getting listed and eventually getting a transplant; and because of the lovely side effects of so many medications that I am on and will be on, your whole body is affected.
There is a silver lining when it comes to my teeth and gums, though. Once I get a new heart, I will come off of the medication that causes the overgrowth, as it is currently slowing the process of the narrowing arteries and decreasing the pain associated with that. Then, once I am healthy enough, I can hopefully have the gum surgery one last time and be good to go! Crossing my fingers.
Yesterday, I had to go see a nephrologist. The cardiologists called and said they were concerned about an elevated level of protein that they found, which can be an indicator of bigger problems with the kidneys. I know that the immunosuppressant medications are not easy on the kidneys, and it is actually somewhat common for heart transplant recipients to have decreased kidney function and sometimes even need a kidney transplant, as well. The nephrologist took a bunch of blood and is going to run several tests, and then I have to go back to him next Wednesday to discuss the results. The good news is, he said from what he can see, I have normal kidney function and they will just keep seeing me to be proactive, since I will have the burst of the high doses again after the transplant; unless anything strange comes back with these tests that would indicate there is a bigger problem. I am praying everything looks normal for now and I don't have to worry about my kidneys on top of everything else.
Tomorrow, I have another biopsy, right heart cath, and angiogram. This will be able to tell my cardiologists if I am in any significant rejection currently and how much the artery disease has progressed since the last angiogram. Again, praying for slight to no changes, especially with the arteries so I can last as long as I need to waiting for another perfect heart to come around.
Thank you for all the love and support you all have shown me since letting the world know about what has been going on. Your thoughts and prayers mean so much to me!
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