RE: Re: Establishing Relationships with Transplant Centers

[Guest guest]

,

There are five (at least) well known

transplant centers within three hours of me. I had my choice. Of

the two that my GI recommended, I looked at their outcomes as found on the

Internet and read about them on their websites. Basically both were even,

both in my eyes and those of my GI. I went to the one that could get me

into their pre-transplant clinic and evaluation more quickly. If I would

have had the time I would have checked the usual wait time, but as it turned

out it wouldn’t have mattered – my health rapidly declined and I

was transplanted within hours of being listed.

It sounds like you are confident in your

current Hepatologist. That is a huge beginning. If you like the

hospital and there are no negatives, that to me would seal the deal.

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Berry

Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009

10:10 AM

To:

Subject: Re:

Establishing Relationships with Transplant Centers

Hi All,

When I was diagnosed my Gastro Doc. I was seeing for

UC actually did the ERCP which helped immensely (he's a very skilled

physician), but he also directed me to see a Hep Doc. at town U

Hospital. Dr. Shetty is the head of the Liver Tx and transplant center,

but thought it was premature for me to be even evaluated and therefore I have

no MELD score.

I guess my main question is this: I remember

talk on the message board about choosing the best Transplant center and

building a relationship with them. I am going to see my current hep

doctor and therefore by default have a relationship with town based on convenience. Do

people think we should shop around or just stick with what's close? If

we should shop around, when should we start - early like me or when there's

more progress in the disease?

Don't want to beat a dead horse, but I'm sure my

doctor won't give me a completely unbiased response if I ask her.

Thanks!

Berry

Washington,

DC

UC'94/PSC'05