Medical Renewal Time

Well, it's been two years since I first applied for my medical certificate, which means that it is time for my renewal. As a transplant patient there are many issues that can come up with medicines, rejection, and other physical issues from having these two foreign objects in my body.

Over time the Federal Aviation Administration developed protocol based upon statistics that have allowed many transplant recipients to receive certification for their pilots license. Many people do not understand how strict the FAA can be regarding the physical capabilities of pilots. I was fortunate enough to be one of the people to be granted a medical certificate after receiving an organ transplant.

My blood pressure has been steady. My vision has been steady. My side effects from the anti-rejection medication has been pretty much limited to food allergies, and also airborne allergies in the spring and fall.

This year I have not been participating in sporting activities as I have in the past, and that will change in the near future. When volunteering at the Cleveland Clinic I can easily walk up to 5 miles a day. For those of you who are not aware of it the Cleveland Clinic is pretty much a city with in the city of Cleveland. In fact, Cleveland Clinic has its own zip code. I have not been ice-skating except for once this year, and I generally bowl once or twice a week.

As a transplant recipient I had to receive what is called a Special Issuance from the FAA. Two days ago I had to send in updates for my physicians to demonstrate that my health has not changed. After receiving the paperwork the FAA should be sending back to me their authorization for me to take my medical exam with a physician so that I can have an immediate issuance of my medical certificate. So I guess I will be spending the next three weeks checking the mail daily.