When we last checked in, we were assuming that the size and condition of Bob's spleen would make it difficult, if not impossible, for him to be the recipient of a living donor transplant. So, most of this year, we have been riding the ups and downs of waiting for an “extended criteria” (i.e. not perfect) liver or being back-up for a primary recipient.
All together we have had ten calls since October. Ten times Bob has been told to stand by and not to eat for as much as twelve hours until we were told to stand down. Three times he went in to Mass General and once, as we wrote earlier, we almost flew to Cleveland. Each time and situation was unique, as were the reasons the transplant did not work out.