The results are a little confusing this time. This is the rating scale as I understand it for heart biopsies:
0R - no rejection
1R - mild rejection (no treatment needed)
2R - moderate rejection (usually steroid treatment is given)
3R - severe rejection (usually hospitalization and ????-I'm glad I don't know)
Last week Scott had a 2R. This week the same pathologist classified him as a 2R again. However, the results were sent away to another city to have another pathologist look at them again. This pathologist says the results are a 1R. He is sure. He says the 2R from this week is probably the result of the close time between biopsies and the heart hasn't completely healed from last weeks biopsy. He also says that last week's biopsy really was moderate rejection - not just inflammation from infection.
Our transplant team is going with pathologist#2. That means a 1R this week and NO TREATMENT NEEDED!!!
Sorry about the long explanation. I'm just sorting through this news myself. I'm slowly learning to not worry about what the transplant team isn't worried about. They know a lot more about rejection than I do. I do appreciate that they listen to us and investigate carefully when they are unsure. I've learned to trust them.
Hopefully we level off again after this last bump on the road. I'm thinking positively and I expect May to be smooth...and June...and July...and August...and 2011...and 2012........I can dream, right!!
Here is a link to information about heart biopsies if you're interested in medical procedures. They're pretty much 'old hat' to us now.
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That wonderful explanation wasn't long at all, and didn't need a "sorry" from you!!! Remember, a grown adult with my son's same defect is a miracle in itself. And let's just give it up for those AWESOME second opinions!!!!
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