Perception and Understanding

While Niqua was out for a visit, I was happy that we had a doctor's appointment at Scripps. I wanted her to see where everything is and how it works and to get to meet at least one of the doctors. We met with the doctor who put in the heart stents a few weeks back.

I am always careful to make sure I understand everyting correctly and am known for having my notebook out so I can make notes and I am not shy about asking questions just to make sure I get it right.

The question came up if and when Dutch should have the hole in his heart repaired. Niqua got into the conversation just to make sure that SHE understood. When we left and talked about what just happened, we both had a very different recollection about what the doctor had just said. Go figure!! One thing is for sure: Dutch has an appointment on Decmeber 1st for an Angiogram to check on his stents. While in there, they may also have a look at the one arterie that is still blocked but has not yet been fixed. The question on the table is, should the hole be fixed and should the arterie be fixed, given the advanced stage of his liver disease.

While we were there, we talked to the nurse in the Gastrologist's office. Dutch had some questions and she took a lot of time trying to answer them. The one that is always foremost on his mind, is why he is not a candidate for a liver transplant. I know they call this the bargaining stage of grief, but it's hard to hear your husband plead for his life.