Hope everyone is doing well. I have been busy with appointments and rehab. I had my 3 days of solu medrol and have been on the prednisone taper since then. I finish that up Sunday and resume my regular dose. Will have a bronchscopy on Feb 12th with biopsy and that will tell if the A1 rejection is still there. If so they will either do the same treatment again or admit me a few days to give me ratG. The bad affect of all the steroids is my blood sugar going all over the place but I see the endocrinologist in Feb so they will be able to see how to better control that. Right now I’m on a sliding scale with insulin and been using it a lot with the crazy blood sugars. I’m hoping after I get off such high dosages of the steroids it will help calm it down some. I graduated rehab early 18 days instead of 23 by working hard and just doing well with everything. This means now I just continue to go to the graduate program until the time I get released.
I met with Dr. Hartwig again about doing the Nissan surgery. Some have asked what this surgery is and it is a stomach wrap that helps repair acid reflux. They have to do this because I don’t need any reflux going into the new lungs. Also, met with Dr. Lagoo and she will be removing my gallbladder. Now, here is where things have changed. My surgery has been rescheduled multiple times due to the two surgeons trying to coordinate together to do it at the same time. My surgery now is scheduled for Feb 27th. I will spend 2-3 days if all goes well in the hospital and then resume rehab. Rehab afterwards will be different because there is certain restraints I will have so that’s another reason I have been working so hard in the meantime to keep my body built up and strong because I will lose some muscle mass I’ve gained.
I got all 72 staples and stitches removed this past week. It feels good to have those out and now I just have a long line where the incision is. Most people might not like such a big line but I look at mine and it reminds me with a physical mark I am a survivor. I am gaining a little weight which is good for now so I’ve been able to continue to hold the tube feeds. I am on 2 inhaled antibiotics and will see the infectious disease doctor again in Feb to discuss if I need IV antibiotics again or not.
The weather here is really cold in Durham. I got to experience snow with the new lungs. I had to wear a mask out to protect them from the cold air but it was nice to be able to breathe easy out in such cold temperatures because I use to just cough all the time. Very icy conditions here and I know SC gets cold sometimes but we have been having cold weather for months and I miss those 70 and 80 degree days down in SC. We aren’t sure yet when I will get to come home. It just all depends on the results from my bronch if there is rejection and on how I do with the next surgeries. I’m just enjoying being alive with new lungs and getting use to them. I still have moments by habit that I look for my oxygen not because I need it but because I was use to it for so many years. I am very grateful for my donor who has given me this chance to be able to look forward to another day and a future. I’m blessed that God is using me to show his powerful grace and healing. I may not be cured but I got a new chance at life and I want to to use my journey to share God’s word. I thank you for the continued prayers, support, and love. God bless!
way to go!!!!!