Helicopter crash kills 3, puts transplant on hold

The crash was deep in a forested, isolated area in Florida

A huge number of people are involved in an organ transplant - not just the transplant team in the OR.  The night of my brother's transplant, the heart was flown in from another city in Ontario.  Take off was delayed by several hours due to a terrible storm that evening.  I often think of the staff involved in transporting his organ, essentially risking their lives because they flew in a storm.  

Yesterday, a helicopter crashed killing transplant surgeon, Dr. Luis Bonilla, procurement technician, David Hines of the Mayo Clinic, and the pilot. They were enroute to pickup the donor heart in Gainesville, Florida.

The Mayo Clinic is quoted as saying "As we mourn this tragic event, we will remember the selfless and intense dedication they brought to making a difference in the lives of our patients," John Noseworthy, Mayo Clinic president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "We recognize the commitment transplant teams make every day in helping patients at Mayo Clinic and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/27/helicopter-crash-kills-3-puts-transplant-on-hold-1715423382/#ixzz1hkqO2sS0

Angiogram Via The Wrist

Last week Michael underwent an angiogram at Toronto General Hospital.  Most heart transplant recipients can expect this around the one year mark.  He arrived at the hospital at 7 a.m. and was called around 10 a.m. from the procedure.  Prior to being called, he was given an IV to run sodium bicarbonate which helps the kidneys as the dye used for the angiogram is very hard on these organs.

The interesting thing about Michael's angiogram is that Dr. Daley went through the wrist!  Apparently, that was Dr. Daley's third time going through the wrist vs. other major arteries.   The advantage of doing the angiogram through the wrist is to allow the patient mobility after the procedure.  He did have some bruising at the wrist, which is to be expected.

Michael was given a pain killer/sedative prior to the procedure.  Although uncomfortable, he says a biopsy is similar yet different to the angiogram.  With the biopsy, the freezing is uncomfortable and the needle goes in the neck.  Another short needle is used to freeze the surface and a second needle is used to freeze deeper tissue.  There is a lot of pressure going into the artery - as if a size two catheter is entering a size one artery where as with the angiogram, Once the catheter got past the elbow, he says he could not longer feel it inside the artery.  Yikes!

The angiogram was approximately 45-60 minutes in length.  A machine was used to highlight the dye & tools inside the body.  A large x-ray machine was above Michael's head.  It was mobile x-ray machine used in order to see different parts of the patient's body.  Upon completion, a pressure bandage is put on to keep the artery from bleeding.

After the procedure, Michael went to the sixth floor to recuperate [day surgery area] where he slept for a good chunk of the afternoon and eventually left the hospital around 5:30. He kept the pressure bandage on that night.  Michael says his wrist looked like it has a shaving nick now where the entrance site was. There is also bruising halfway up the forearm where the catheter ran up the artery.

All in all, he says it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be!

Heartlinks Annual Christmas Party

Heartlinks is the heart transplant support group of Toronto General Hospital.  They have several initiatives.  Two annual initiatives are the Craft & Bake Sale in November & The Christmas Party in December.  It's great to opportunity for fellow heart transplants & their family members to converse, get to know each other & their transplant journeys [outside of biopsy!].  Transplant staff from TGH generously share their time & drop by to see their patients in a non-medical setting.  As usual, it was a great event!  Thanks to Susan & Eddie for all their hard work!

My Dad, heart transplant recipient of fourteen years

A very festive Andrea & I.  Andrea is approaching her one year transplanniversary just before Christmas

Eddie, heart transplant recipient, & his wife Nancy.  Eddie is a driving force behind Heartlinks.