Update on my visit with Shands

[Guest guest]

Here is a copy of the email we sent to family and friends

yesterday.funny how I find it easier to write about myself in the

third person.

As you all know from our last correspondence, we were told that the

University of Florida's teaching hospital, Shands, informed us that

in order to be placed on the Lung Transplant List, their policy is

that you must be in the last 12 months of life. The reason for this

is the post transplant mortality rate makes this operation one of

last resort.

Today, Jim, Kathy and Shands agreed to the three days of testing and

evaluation that, we believe, will result in her being placed on the

Transplant List sometime within the next 30 days.

The good news is that while the trend of deterioration of Kathy's

lungs is significant, the Doctors do not believe that Kathy is quite

yet within her last 12 months, but rather believe that this time is

close upon us and the prudent, safest thing to do is to start the

evaluation process now.

We have secured Evaluation dates of May 28th, 29th, 30th for a full 8

hour per day, three day evaluation.The purpose of the evaluation is

for Shands to determine that Kathy is physically, mentally, and

medically a good candidate for the transplant procedure. We are

confident that Kathy is a good candidate and the evaluation will

result in her being placed on the transplant list sometime in mid-

June. The average wait for a Lung Transplant is 6 months. During this

time, we must commit to staying within 2 to 3 hours reporting time to

the medical facility.

After Kathy has the transplant, it is likely that she will spend 1 or

2 weeks in the hospital and 4 to 6 weeks in local accommodations so

that she can partake in daily outpatient and evaluation services at

the hospital. She will need to be on immune system suppressant

medications for the rest of her life.

This is something that we have been expecting for some time and while

frightening in its implication, also provides a sense of relief that

we are starting the process.

We continue to be hopeful and prayerful in our approach and as always

ask for your prayers and support

Kathyfl

ipf 4/07