a rare prototype deemed too unique to destroy

What's next? Winning the lottery. Nah... I don't play anything I can't reasonably win. Or cheat at. Gaining the ability to jump scary doubles? Possibly, I am starting to visualize success here and riding with people who encourage me. Shaving my head? Nope, liking the compliments I get with longer hair.

How about then that UCSD called me this morning and said they are working on scheduling my experimental procedure and I should hear back next week!!

I am the first person ever they are going to try this on!! Wow. My momma always told me I was unique but I had no idea......

Basically I have a tunnel that starts inside my small intestine and goes out through my body to exit out two surgical scars I have. Think of a "Y" shaped tunnel. Since I am a poor surgical candidate I was referred to the super genius Mayo clinic doctor that just came to UCSD in San Diego. I posted about it/him last month if you wanna go back and read it.

The plan was to use a new interventional gastrointestinal (IG) procedure that has been successful in the stomach, rectum and large intestine. But never has it been tried in the small intestine. I'm the first and this is the only place on the west coast that does it.....

What will happen is they will do a regular endoscopic procedure "look and see" from the top and the bottom. So while they are looking around to see what is up and if I have any active Crohns disease they are going to try and reach my jejunem (middle part of my small intestine where the fistula starts).

If they can reach that part of my gut then they will squirt hydrogen peroxide through my fistulas from the cutaneous (skin) side and see if they can see where it bubbles out into my gut. If/when they visualize this then they deploy a thing that basically looks like a bear trap down the scope to that point and CHOMP the clip it onto the wall of the lumen of my intestine, physically closing the hole and origin of my fistula.

Leaving me with all the intestine I have now. No surgery. Still able to get MRI's. Able to go home that day (I hope). Cross your fingers, burn incense, pray, fast, think of me or whatever you feel will work. If this works I will probably cry for like 24 hours straight.........

The endoclip as it looks open.

The endoclip as it will look on the scope that goes down my throat or up my rear end. Also how it looks once it has snapped shut, bear trap style, on my insides.