11/21/2015 - Facts and Feelings

Backstory on the Post Subject:
I remember one day when Tessa came home from the office and was laughing and told me a story where she had been talking to her boss (one of her good friends at work) and he was demanding that she give him "Facts, not Feelings".  So in the words of Friends, I'll pivot on that idea...

Feelings:
Sometimes I think it's the waiting and uncertainty that gets to you.  If I were talking about the markets I'd say that uncertainty, and lack of definitive information about interest rates, is the reason we see choppiness in stocks.  People are generally impatient and when lacking information, can get spooked.  I think the lack of definitive timelines or transplant date is causing the same effect on Tessa and I.  Each us us is just a little more on the edge and we're both a little more chippy.  I think it's totally normal, but that doesn't make it easier.

My company was just acquired and they're making some changes to the healthcare pan (which means more out of pocket), so that's had me occupied more over the last week as I've been trying to determine what that might mean.  In addition, it looks like they might have changed their Short Term Disability policy in terms of how much they pay out while I'm on Short Term Disability.  That actually has larger implications than the insurance change as I'm predicating I'll be out for 3 months.  Of course, since I cannot know for sure if the transplant will be 2015 or 2016, I really don't know how to best choose the right plans.

Facts:
My MELD score was upgraded
Old MELD score: 25 (set on Aug 18th)
Current MELD score: 28 (set on Nov 18th)
Next MELD score: 31 (set on Feb 18th)

Today, I reached out to my Doc for some "market color" on the liver transplant market. Specifically I was trying to determine what the liklihood is that a transpant would be a 2015 thing vs a 2016 thing.  You cannot fault him for not knowing for sure, that's the squishiness that I've alluded to earlier.  Below is his response (note, names and e-mail addresses altered to protect his awesomeness. I'd also like to call out how fantastic he is at communicating both in and outside of the office.

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Awesome, Dr  <Doctor.Is.Awesome@gunet.georgetown.edu>

4:54 PM (12 hours ago)

to me 

Transplants have been busier recently but that's not always a predictor of what's to come. Timing is still unpredictable other than as your MELD rises the chances increase. However, before year end is still possible.
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It's only fitting that I leave you with a John Wayne quote:
Courage is being scared to death . . .
and saddling up anyway.
~John Wayne