Apr 15

Bothell, WA. Lake Pleasant site 225. Settling in.

No word yet from “the list”. It seems that the hold up is TriCare. They simply have dropped the ball. UW faxed them the docs two weeks ago and TriCare cannot find them or say they have not received them. TriCare also seems to have ‘phone’ problems and failed to call back after repeated calls to them. For some reason TriCare does not have the ability to contact UW, even though they have all the appropriate phone numbers. While it is difficult, we still have positive expectations of the process. Maybe it will improve next week. Will start the phone calls again to TriCare on Monday morning.

Jim/Marci/Cassie will be here on Sat and will be bringing up the Durango. Will be nice to drive a slightly smaller vehicle. They are bringing up their new camper. Violet will be happy to see Cassie.

Violet is adapting well. Using the bike to exercise her. She runs well, and usually stops half way around the lake to ‘poop’. Of course, Bob gets the crappy job of cleaning up the ‘poop’.

Today we bought her some more ‘Frosty Paws”. She smelled the bagk and just went wild in anticipation. She really likes them. For those with dogs who are only slightly spoiled, make the trip to Safeway, dog food isle, and check the freezer for them. Your dog will love you. ;-)

More next week.

April 10

It’s Saturday night and we are in Beaverton. Plan to leave here tomorrow afternoon and head for


Bothell, WA. Jim and Marci will bring the Durango up next week-end and have a chance to spend the night in their new Wolf Creek camper for the first time. 

Haven’t heard anything from the insurance company or the pre-transplant nurse regarding the authorization for transplant. Hope to hear something on Monday…. Will post something as soon as we hear.

Bob had some mods done to the RV when we were in La Grande. New awning arms and topper awnings for over the slides. Good changes. Now we just hope that the mods for Betsy work just as well.

April 4

Well, it appears that I am now close to being added to the transplant list. Had a call from Kim this morning, the RN with the pre-transplant team, and she said I am good to go except for getting confirmation from our insurance that they are authorizing a lung transplant. Once they receive that authorization then I can be added to the list. I do have an appointment with Dr. Raghu on Thursday and a couple of tests (pulmonary function test, blood work and ‘weighing in’ with the dietitian. We are planning to have the RV in Bothell sometime Sunday afternoon and hopefully I will be on the list sometime Monday!!!! Then it is a waiting game….

Thanks to everyone for your support. Couldn’t go through this without the love and encouragement of family and friends. We try to post something on Fridays. Of course, we will also have our cell phones and can be reached by e-mail.

This is an exciting, frightening, unbelievable time and we are just anxious to get on with it. We are trying to stay positive and looking forward to a good outcome.

April 2

It appears that the doctor’s haven’t been able to determine if I need the acid reflux surgery before or after the transplant. We have decided to pack as if we are making the temporary move to Bothell, drive to Jim and Marci’s on Wednesday next week and leave the RV there. Drive to Seattle and back on Thursday for the appointments and then maybe we will know what the next step will be. If they decide I can get on the list and do the transplant first then we will already be as far as Beaverton with the RV and can just go to Bothell from there. I am down 18 lbs. and continue to strive for another 10 at the very least. Have had a cold this week which is not a good thing when you are on oxygen!!

Violet went to the beauty parlor for a hair cut. She looks skinny, but it will be easier to manage now. Beautiful day here yesterday, almost up to 70. Today we had hail and a bit of snow and wind but the sun is out now.

Marci’s parents are on the mainland for some medical testing. It will be good to see and visit with them.

March 25th

Had a call from UW on Wednesday and spoke with the nurse coordinator. She congratulated me on my weight loss and said I had done everything they had requested. She thinks the transplant team will meet next Wednesday, the 30th, and decide if I need the acid reflux surgery before or after transplant. If they determine it to be after, then I will hopefully be approved to be on the list!!! I am hoping to hear from her again next Thursday or Friday. We are proceeding with our plans for the temporary move to Bothell in the hopes that it will happen in a week or two. We are hard at work getting everything ready for that move.

We have enjoyed spending time with Cassie this week. She and Violet have spent many fun hours together and Grandpa has been teaching her firearms safety and let her shoot the 22 rifle in the backyard. We will meet Jim in The Dalles tomorrow around noon to send her back home. Plan to go to Mamacita’s tonight for dinner, one of her favorite places here. They have an awesome pepper steak with pasta that we usually get. Think I will treat myself tonight!!

March 19th:

Betsy here. Had an appointment in Walla Walla yesterday and weighed in at my upper weight goal!!!! Yoohoo!!! They will fax it to the nutritionist in Seattle and it will put me one step closer to getting on the transplant list. They want me to continue to lose weight but at least I have met the requirement to be listed as far as the weight is concerned. Have lost 14 ½ lbs. in two months…

After this appointment we drove to Beaverton and spent the night, then brought our granddaughter home with us today for spring break. She wanted to spend time here, she says with us but we know it is Violet she is interested in. They have a great time together!

Next appointment is April 7 in Seattle with Dr. Raghu. We are really hoping that the transplant committee meets soon and determines that I have met all the requirements to be listed. Will keep everyone posted on that.

March 11

March 11. We are back in Beaverton and hit a hot wings place last night. Bets didn’t each much, but had heart burn all night. Bob slept like a baby. Not sure about Marci and Jim. Cassie refused to touch anything hot. ;-)

The support group session was great. Nice to see healthy transplant recipients and meet folks who are on the waiting list. Good support mechanism.

Betsy had her test, and then met with the dr. He said she has acid reflux issues and they will probably operate at some time, but not sure yet if it will be before or after transplant. She is now within a pound of her goal to get on the list. She has an appointment with her Dr. in Walla Walla at the end of next week, and she is hoping to be a few pounds below the magic number.

While up north we made a trip to visit friends (AF people) in Gig Harbor. Great dinner, excellent wine, and even better company. Dogs got along great. We promise to visit again if they let us. 

Tomorrow we go to the Portland RV show, then on Sunday am, we head home so the next update will be from Cove. While home next week, we need to really get our ducks in row and be prepared to move to Bothell within a few days of notice. That includes having someone to mow the lawn and spray weeds. Gotta keep the weeds down in prep for the “End of the world” July 14 party at the Cove Nelson’s place in 2012.

First week of March

This finds us in the Beaverton Nelson’s driveway spending time with the granddaughter and her parents and getting adjusted to where stuff goes in the new rv.

Bob got his shot and so far it is working great. Betsy is down another few pounds. Almost at her initial goal. She has adjusted to the Weight Watchers program very well.
On Thursday eve, Violets friend Bell came for a couple of sleep-overs’. Seems they are having fun (in dog terms of course).

Next Monday we move north to the Lake Pleasant RV Park in Bothell. Some education, testing, doctor appointment, and visiting with friends for a quick three days, then back to Beaverton for some more kick back time with granddaughter.  

Last week of February

Last week of February – On the snow covered road again. Friday we drive to Boardman (quick trip over and back) to meet with some folks from Hood River. They are buying the RZR. Since they are AFP’s (actually DFP’s), we know it is going to a good home. (Arctic / Desert Fox People)

We had another 6” of snow again last night so these trips should be interesting. 11 deg out right now. 

New fifth wheel is packed and ready, so on Saturday we leave for Beaverton. Roads will be icy and snow covered. Next Wednesday, Bob has an appointment with the VA for another shot in the lower back. If the shot were any lower, it could be considered a pain in the ass.

Then on Monday the 7th of Mar, we head to Bothell, WA again for a few more days in this transplant process. Tuesday will find us at a meeting with other transplant recipient, then Wednesday, Bets has a procedure to test for acid reflux. On Thursday am, we meet with that doctor for results and next steps.

We both continue to Watch our Weight, and Bets is still just above her goal to get on the transplant list. Making progress, slow but sure.

Yesterday I was quietly chastised by my brother for not keeping updates on this blog. I promise to do better. I should probably put it on my calendar and make it a Friday update.

Most of you receiving email from us will see a slight change. Beginning to move our stuff over to gmail. We will still receiving EONI mail, but sending will be via gmail. I will probably do a mass eoni email notice of this change. 

Early February

Some delay in process. The weight loss window has been modified. From 15 lbs to 25 lbs, now to 40 lbs. Back to the drawing board. Now scheduled to see a Dr? second week in March for some testing, then back to Seattle second week of Apr to the Dr Rahgu again. Then??? Until that time, it is the weight watchers program. Some of this is a bit of a challenge since all the medication prescribed has a side effect of weight gain.

RV changes. Arctic Fox 25R is gone and we now have a 29’ Arctic Fox fifth wheel. Lots of room. Still in the moving in mode, and will be for a few more weeks. Lots of modifications to make to fit our needs. Violet visited the vet and got spayed. Also got a hair cut a few days prior to that surgery.