My brothers "MELD" score is now at 28

[garyjeff]

He has been in and out of Chicago Northwestern, and we do not even know what is going on, as far as the Transplant. We have done all the testing, believe to have been accepted, but here he lies, knowing nothing, and the MELD keeps going up. he was just "drained" of fluid yesterday, Jan 24,2011

[sndysu]

Try Vanderbilt in Nashville TN, My friend had a transplant in under 1 month on the list with a MELD of 26

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

Thank you for sharing the wonderful news.  I am so happy to hear this.  None of you will truly ever forget the snowstorm of the century!  send your brother my best and the best to the northwestern team.  God bless you.

[garyjeff]

Dear Doctor. My brother Dennis spent last weekend in Community Hospital,near Munster, Indiana for two days and then sent home Sunday. Right as the Bad snowstorm was approaching, he got a call on Tuesday evening, from Chicago Northwestern, to come right in. We took him there Tuesday evening, just prior to the storm. On Wednesday early, approx. 4 AM, theyTransplanted a new liver into him. As of today, Friday, approx. 60 hrs. later, he is talking, eating, and got up and walked. You were absolutely right, it is, A GREAT HOSPITAL, WITH A GREAT TEAM. With many, many prayers, an keeping optimistic, a Miracle has happened. Thank you for your encouragement, SIR, DOCTOR. GOD BLESS. Gary Jeffries Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

it definitely does not hurt for a patient to be listed in more than one region.  Indiana is a different region than illinois and patients seem to get transplanted sooner there.  this is definitely the case in florida so he can seek an evaluation there and stay with you.  there are transplant centers located in miami, tampa, gainesville and jacksonville. i don't think iot is an insurance or compensation but issues with organ allocation.  check the UNOS website as there is a lot of interesting data and educational material on it.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

northwestern is a wonderful transplant program.  if you have not already met him, seek out dr josh levitsky.

[garyjeff]

First and Foremost, thanks again, Dr. Schiano. Should I be calling hospitals, all over the U.S. to see where is the best place to go, and possibly the wait, is not as long, as in Chicago? I am thinking, possibly the cost of such a surgery, and the maintenance is possibly too high, in the minds of the V.A. and or Medicare? We have some monies available, and I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT MY BROTHER TO DIE, because of "Monies". We are just to stressed, we do not know what to do, and I being in Florida, am afraid my other brother up in Chicago, is going to have a heart attack, (age 63) over this. I am doing research, over 4 to 6 hours daily, trying to come up with an answer. I hear alot about "India", but that is out of the question. I just feel that my brother has worked his butt off all his life for his family, served Our Great Country Diligently, has 3 granchildren, and 1 more on the way, and now, at 67, the "Prime" of what he hopes is his life, is turned totally, topsy turvy..??  What should I be doing? He was just sent home, after the abdomen was pumped out, and now, just sleeping alot, and not eating very well.

[garyjeff]

Good morning. It's 9:30 AM here in Ft. Lauderdale, and I will pass on this information immediately, to my only other brother who is up there in Chicago. We just do not understand why there is not more info available, like where he is on the list, when they will do it, etc. It is totally scarred, and he has insurance, and he is a Vietnam Vet. He has NEVER been a drinker, and NEVER touched drugs!
We were wondering if his chances would be better, to look at other hospitals, in other states?
I Thank You, and GOD, for your reply, and ANY other assistance / info you may provide. GOD BLESS YOU, SIR!

GaryJeff