Labs---by Robin

This morning at 8am I had to be at the out-patient lab of our local hospital for scheduled blood tests.
Prior to getting transplanted, I had labs drawn every three months, unless there was some medical reason for an earlier test. UNOS updates their files every three months to determine MELD scores, which determine who gets an organ when one comes available.
When I first came home from the hospital, I would have blood drawn three times a week. The frequency decreased to weekly labs at three months after surgery and at nine months I was able to have blood drawn twice monthly.
I know it doesn't sound like I'm having labs checked "that" frequently but there are considerations such as going on vacation or illness. Not much of a problem if you are to be away from home and are able locate a facility that will do your labs, but they not only need to be drawn every two weeks but they are timed. If you are changing time zones, it can be a problem because your anti-rejection meds are taken every 12 hours and your labs must be drawn 11-13 hours AFTER your last dose of medication, regardless of what time zone you have traveled from and to.
I'm hoping when I go for my one year anniversary visit with my transplant surgeon, Dr.Youmin Wu, he will give approval to my having blood drawn on a monthly basis. Believe me, my poor veins are hoping that they won't get "needled" quiet as often. WhoooHooooo.
Keep your spirits high...robin