“I found out there are five criteria a patient

found out there are five criteria a patient must meet in order to get a transplant. They must first be referred by a cardiologist, which is just one reason it is so important for anyone with a heart problem to see a cardiologist. They cannot smoke. They cannot drink. They cannot have any malignancy. And, they cannot be immumo compromised, which means they cannot be taking any medications which weaken the immune system. After the transplant the body wjll try to reject the foreign organ and so the patient has to have anti-rejection medications. Then they have to start on a regimen of medications which they take for the rest of their life.”

People who do have smoking or substance abuse problems are referred to programs to help them.

The patient is interviewed by all members of the Transplant Committee and either approved or disapproved for a transplant. The committee members consist of a transplant suigeon, a transplant cardiologist, a social worker, a financial adviser and another physician.

“Everyone who has seen him so far has approved him as a candidate,” Ruth said. “As of Thursday (last) I think he has seen everybody.”

“I’ve felt better,” said Charles with a slight laugh, “but I guess I’m doing okay.”

“It’s a good idea though to get checked out by a cardiologist if you think you have problems.”

Last Tuesday he went for testing at Fairfax Hospital as part of the workup, Ruth said. He had been sick all week and the tests showed left and right side heart failure.

“The left side failure is congestive heart failure. The fluid backs up into the lungs and leads to congestion and shortness of breath. The right side has to work harder to pump blood. His heart is enlarged and the blood isn’t pumping out properly. The right side failure causes the blood to back up into the liver and that causes pressure