It's been a busy morning with a flurry of exciting phone activity from Cleveland Clinic.

The first call was from the Financial Advisor who needed additional insurance information. I was thrilled with that baby step forward.

And then I received a second call from a transplant nurse who asked for additional medical information. Unsolicited, she closed our conversation by observing that she saw no reason why I wouldn't be considered for a lung transplant evaluation. This turnaround was stunning for me.

I quickly prepared a cover letter for the paper reports and CD of my heart catheterization I retrieved at Vanderbilt yesterday, and then dashed to the post office. The package will arrive on Monday. We will then wait.

Dr. Marie Budev will be the one considering my medical history and viability as a transplant recipient. I should hear from a scheduler in 3-4 weeks after numerous doctors review my records.

If considered for evaluation, I'll need to travel to Cleveland for 2 days of tests etc. The nurse I talked to today suggested (again, unsolicited) that the evaluation might be scheduled some time in December. Chase! Keep your calendar as free as possible for travel to Cleveland!

So that's what I have at the moment. I'm rather stunned that this is all coming together. It's also daunting. I sometimes have to remind myself I'm not simply acquiring a new canvas for my walls... that this is my life in the balance. Sometimes I get so caught up in the details and must-do lists that I forget the big picture... my life in the balance.

It's spectacularly good news! I'll keep you posted.

Cleveland Rocks!

Love, Mom