June 30, 2008 Procedure

Earlier today, I underwent another medical procedure in which stints were placed in my mesocaval shunt to help keep the shunt from becoming blocked in the future. The procedure went very well, and I am feeling very well. Even though the procedure was a tremendous success, I was not discharged today. My doctor wanted me to spend the night in the hospital for observation. I thought this moment would be a good time to multi-task by posting a blog entry and watching "Goldeneye" on the Spike Channel at the same time. lol

The doctor inserted shunts in order to reduce the number of times that my mesocaval shunt will have to be opened using balloon dilation in the future. Right before the procedure, I asked the doctor if the shunt could still become blocked with stints, and he said that there was still that possibility... but that the stints will decrease that chance. If there is blockage, there still is a chance that the shunt (with the stints) could be reopened with balloon dilation. However, the real solution to my medical problems, is the multi-organ transplant.

Please keep my family and me in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for your care and support. I hope to get back to Tennessee very soon. Please remember to become an organ donor if you have not already done so!!!!!