Please help

[nckthom2]

My mother in law is a 56 year old woman diagnosed with congestive heart failure, specifically cardiomyopathy.  She was diagnosed in her early 40's, a pace maker was implanted by her mid 40's.  She had a massive stroke in her earley 50's.  With the support of her family and theorapists she was able to resume a somewhat normal life.  In the last year her health has deteriated quickly.  She had her third pace maker installed, due to the fact that her prior pace makers had been worn out.  Last week she had another stroke, although it was considered mild.  While hospitalized at CT scan revealed problems with her liver.  Through all of this I have always thought she should be placed on the heart transplant list.  At this point the doctors are basically saying her organs will continue to suffer and her only hope for full recoverey will be a transplant.  However, the doctors are convinced she can not be place on the transplant list until she is on her death bed.  I find this hard to believe.  First, I belive she should have been on this list long ago, now I believe the more her body regresses the harder it will be to get on the list.  Am I wrong or do you have to be on your death bed to be put on the list..  She is on kaiser insurance, could they be dragging their feet so they don't have to cover the expense?  Please anyone that can shed some light on the subject help me out.  This is killing my wife and I would love to help her in anyway I can.  Thanks to anyone that can help.

[nckthom2]

Thank you for taking the time to respond.  Although the truth is not always the easiest news to handle, it is the reality and needs to be dealt with.  I hope all turns out well for you, and whatever decision you make is correct for you.  Good luck!!!

[gmachris518]

The truth is brutal sometimes.  

I don't know about the heart transplant list because I'm being screeened for the kidney transplant list, even though I need a heart also.  I've been in kidney failure since I was in my very early 20's and I'm 56 now, with CHF to add to my problems.

My kidneys are barely functioning and they are finally screening me for a transplant, but with the CHF, the screening is just a formality, something required by law now days.  I'm told I won't qualify, but I have to go through the process anyway, and it's a strugle for me, do to all of the tests I'll have to endure for nothing......they leave NO stone unturned when deciding whether giving an organ will actually make a difference, or whether it will be wasted.  The recepient does have the option to refuse the screening, though, and it supposedly does not affect any other treatment available, they just won't get  the organ they need.

My points is, with other medical problems, a transplant is most likely not going to happen, for me, or for your mother in law, and the screening process is awful for someone who is so ill.  The cost is astronomical also, and the chance of rejection is high, so of course the insurance company wants to make absolute sure that it's going to make a difference, as well as the medical team who does the screening.

The fact that a heart will have to be a deceased donor makes the liklihood of receiving an organ less than a kidney or lung, too.  So, even though a person is placed on the list, it doesn't mean they will receive an organ.  The screening takes months, finding a suitable organ may never happen, or be too late.  Testing has to happen on a yearly basis, until a organ is found....the list goes on and on of "why not", and the rules "pro for transplant" are written in stone somewhere, I believe.  

I wonder if your mother in law is up to the challenge.  I know I'm rethinking whether I want to spend the rest of my life trying to get ahold of something that I may never be able to reach, or whether I would rather just live each day I have left, the way I want to live it and not worry that there may not be a tomorrow.  Maybe that is a question your mother in law needs to be thinking about also.

My thoughts are with you all.