Tell everyone who is discouraged, be strong and don't be afraid! God is coming to your rescue!
Isaiah 35:4
March has been a busy month, but I have made significant progress in the recovery process. We are settlng into apartment life and venturing out a bit on nice days.
My schedule is very busy. I now understand why I have to be so close for three months. Every Monday I have labwork, xrays, spirometry, and see a provider in the transplant clinic. That takes half a day. I go to rehab and work for about two hours- every single day except Saturday and Sunday. Most weeks I need extra bloodwork- one week I actually had to go every day!
I have about 14 books here that I was looking forward to reading. Because of the crazy schedule and the prednisone, I find that I cannot focus well for extended periods of time- I work better with one task for a period of time, then switching to something else. The books will have to wait for now.
One of the things they worry about with lung transplant patients is aspiration. Swallowing can be affected by the surgery, so there are some "routine" tests such as the gastric emptying test I had done this month.
This test tells how quickly food moves through your stomach. They feed you a meal with radioactive tracers and then take pictures at various intervals for four hours. It was hard to get the food down- they prepared these yummy eggs in the lab in a microwave. I am not a huge fan of eggs so I tried to mix the jelly with them. Why can't they put the radioactive tracers in cheesecake?
Thankfully, the test was normal. Next month I will have some tests to check my swallowing and the acid level in my stomach. I can't wait.
Some really great things happened this month- I finally had ALL of my staples removed- here are the last of them- I started with 32.
My schedule is very busy. I now understand why I have to be so close for three months. Every Monday I have labwork, xrays, spirometry, and see a provider in the transplant clinic. That takes half a day. I go to rehab and work for about two hours- every single day except Saturday and Sunday. Most weeks I need extra bloodwork- one week I actually had to go every day!
I have about 14 books here that I was looking forward to reading. Because of the crazy schedule and the prednisone, I find that I cannot focus well for extended periods of time- I work better with one task for a period of time, then switching to something else. The books will have to wait for now.
One of the things they worry about with lung transplant patients is aspiration. Swallowing can be affected by the surgery, so there are some "routine" tests such as the gastric emptying test I had done this month.
This test tells how quickly food moves through your stomach. They feed you a meal with radioactive tracers and then take pictures at various intervals for four hours. It was hard to get the food down- they prepared these yummy eggs in the lab in a microwave. I am not a huge fan of eggs so I tried to mix the jelly with them. Why can't they put the radioactive tracers in cheesecake?
Thankfully, the test was normal. Next month I will have some tests to check my swallowing and the acid level in my stomach. I can't wait.
Some really great things happened this month- I finally had ALL of my staples removed- here are the last of them- I started with 32.
I should have been collecting them all for some fancy piece of commemorative jewelry.
I also was able to get in the shower -for real. I was a bit nervous, to tell the truth. I had my shower chair here just in case. Imagine how wonderful it was to be able to make it through a long, hot shower without having to sit down and rest! That's what healthy lungs will do for you.
I am finding that I am having to re-learn to breathe. Often I will notice that I am doing pursed lip breathing for no reason. I have woken up a few nights wanting my oxygen. It is not that I need it, or even think that I need it, it is just that it was a part of me for many years. It is odd not to feel the cannula on my face and hear the soft noise of the concentrator at night.
I am having to find who I am without lung disease. I did not realize how much I was stuggling to breathe and to walk before the transplant.
I saw Dr. Robbins early in the month. He told me I could go home for Easter- for the entire weekend! He also stopped my Neurontin.
One small glitch- I have had an annoying cough for over a month. He is not too worried because my lung function is good, my labs are good, etc. They had me try an antihistamine but it did not help. We are just going to give it some time.
During the surgery, nerves are cut, which impairs your ability to cough effectively, and affects the gag reflex. It is very easy to develop pneumonia, so maybe all the coughing I am doing is preventing something worse. I also am unable to laugh normally at this point. I am told that will get better.
We were so happy to visit with our friends David and Cindy Willard. We miss them so much and we are going to be more intentional about spending time with them.
They brought homemade bread, jam, and marmalade. It did not last long.
My good friend Jennifer McManis made this bright throw and sent it to me. It is perfect for spring!
Speaking of spring, it has been cold most of the month, but just outside our window is a beautiful reminder that God is making all things new.
One of my students sent me this awesome shirt!
Sometimes you have to travel a little farther than your 10 mile radius because you NEED Chick Fil A. Dr. Robbins laughed when I confessed, but I know you understand.
They brought us each an ice cream cone when we finished our meal. Is this a senior citizen thing?
Sometimes you also have to try out famous local establishments after working hard at rehab!
Christy and Anna Kate came on a Sunday afternoon and we went to the Southern Women's show. It was fun!
Of course I wore my mask. I am used to people looking- and it does not bother me. I generally will talk to children about it when I see them looking. However, one of the vendors looked at me and addressed me as "Bird Flu lady." I promptly told him I had a transplant and he hung his head.
One of our graduates, Dr. Ethan Simpson, came to see me. He is a CRNA at Vanderbilt and a wonderful young man. It is so encouraging when students actually want to come visit their stuffy old professors!
He brought me some goodies! I really love the badge clips, and he got them from a colleague who was selling them to raise money for a mission trip. All the better!
Michael and I had our 33rd anniversary on the 22nd. He went to Jackson to take care of some things, and the girls came up here for a fun weekend.
They had never been to the Pancake Pantry, so......
We spent some time at the Parthenon. It was fascinating. I want to go to Greece now!
As beautiful as this statue must have been, it is nothing compared to the glory of the one true God! Those ancient Greeks are in for a surprise.
I was able to keep up without finding somewhere to sit and rest. Amazing!
Poor Anna Kate was worn out from all the culture! Chelsea brought Willie, so he supervised all naps.
Meanwhile, in Jackson, Henry was supervising Michael's work outside.
This is my good friend Karen Mitchell, who had a double lung transplant in the summer of 2017. Her sneaky husband told me she was going to be in Nashville with their youth group, so I surprised her! It was great to see her. Doesn't she look amazing?
These goodies were left outside of Chelsea's apartment door by an anonymous friend. Chelsea thought we had sent them to her!
This is Dr. Stephanie Norfolk, one of the transplant pulmonologists. I saw her for my last visit this month. I had not seen her since I was in the hospital. She told me that one of her patients was talking about "the amazing nurse who is a blogger, etc." Of course she could not confirm or deny that I am a patient. I hope that I have encouraged others. I love all of my providers, but Dr. Norfolk has a way of connecting with patients that is special. She looks at you while you are talking and listens intently. She puts a hand gently on your knee and validates what you are saying.
She was very pleased with my progress. She made me VERY happy by decreasing my steroids and stopping my antifungal. Fewer pills- yay! She also gave me permission to go home for the weekend.
My FEV1 is up to 91%, which is awesome. My labs are good - kidneys are not perfect, but MUCH better. I am walking 3 miles on the treadmill in an hour on a level 3 random program, using the Rex for 20 minutes, and doing arm and leg weights twice a week. I have a goal of walking in a 5K that our students are hosting to raise money for St. Jude and honor my donor. It will be on May 4th so I should be ready.
One of my challenges in rehab is the elliptical. I can only do 2 minutes on it. It is an instrument of the devil.
I still have the cough. Dr. Norfolk said there has been an opacity in my lower right lung on xray since my bronchoscopy. It has not changed. She ordered a CT, and they feel that it is a hematoma from the bronch, and it will resolve. She ordered some hypertonic saline in the nebulizer, and has me using a flutter valve to loosen any secretions. Pray that this resolves soon. I am sick of it!
Going home for the weekend was such a treat. Nothing like a big drink from Sonic for the ride (and maybe a burger and some tater tots.)
I slept for 8 straight hours for the first time since January 22. I did not tell anyone I was home because I was not sure how tired I would be. It rained on Saturday and I just enjoyed watchiing the Food Network with Henry.
Here is something odd/funny. I have had songs running through my head that normally would not. One morning it was "Addicted to Love." If you know me, you will know that I never really listened to pop music. I assumed that Huey Lewis sang it! The only words I even know are the ones in the chorus, so those are the ones stuck in my head over and over. I wonder if this song was a favorite of my donor......
As we prepare our hearts for Easter, please remember my donor's family. This will be their first Easter without him/her. I am so grateful for the gift they have given me. I have had the opportunity to spend time with my family this month doing things I could not do before. My quality of life is so much better- even two months out. I want to make this family proud of what I am doing with their gift. I am still amazed at God's hand in all of this. The story is not mine- it is HIS.
My three month bronchoscopy is scheduled for April 23. If there is no rejection, I should get to go home for good that week!
I also was able to get in the shower -for real. I was a bit nervous, to tell the truth. I had my shower chair here just in case. Imagine how wonderful it was to be able to make it through a long, hot shower without having to sit down and rest! That's what healthy lungs will do for you.
I am finding that I am having to re-learn to breathe. Often I will notice that I am doing pursed lip breathing for no reason. I have woken up a few nights wanting my oxygen. It is not that I need it, or even think that I need it, it is just that it was a part of me for many years. It is odd not to feel the cannula on my face and hear the soft noise of the concentrator at night.
I am having to find who I am without lung disease. I did not realize how much I was stuggling to breathe and to walk before the transplant.
I saw Dr. Robbins early in the month. He told me I could go home for Easter- for the entire weekend! He also stopped my Neurontin.
One small glitch- I have had an annoying cough for over a month. He is not too worried because my lung function is good, my labs are good, etc. They had me try an antihistamine but it did not help. We are just going to give it some time.
During the surgery, nerves are cut, which impairs your ability to cough effectively, and affects the gag reflex. It is very easy to develop pneumonia, so maybe all the coughing I am doing is preventing something worse. I also am unable to laugh normally at this point. I am told that will get better.
We were so happy to visit with our friends David and Cindy Willard. We miss them so much and we are going to be more intentional about spending time with them.
They brought homemade bread, jam, and marmalade. It did not last long.
My good friend Jennifer McManis made this bright throw and sent it to me. It is perfect for spring!
Speaking of spring, it has been cold most of the month, but just outside our window is a beautiful reminder that God is making all things new.
One of my students sent me this awesome shirt!
Sometimes you have to travel a little farther than your 10 mile radius because you NEED Chick Fil A. Dr. Robbins laughed when I confessed, but I know you understand.
They brought us each an ice cream cone when we finished our meal. Is this a senior citizen thing?
Sometimes you also have to try out famous local establishments after working hard at rehab!
Christy and Anna Kate came on a Sunday afternoon and we went to the Southern Women's show. It was fun!
Of course I wore my mask. I am used to people looking- and it does not bother me. I generally will talk to children about it when I see them looking. However, one of the vendors looked at me and addressed me as "Bird Flu lady." I promptly told him I had a transplant and he hung his head.
One of our graduates, Dr. Ethan Simpson, came to see me. He is a CRNA at Vanderbilt and a wonderful young man. It is so encouraging when students actually want to come visit their stuffy old professors!
He brought me some goodies! I really love the badge clips, and he got them from a colleague who was selling them to raise money for a mission trip. All the better!
Michael and I had our 33rd anniversary on the 22nd. He went to Jackson to take care of some things, and the girls came up here for a fun weekend.
They had never been to the Pancake Pantry, so......
We spent some time at the Parthenon. It was fascinating. I want to go to Greece now!
As beautiful as this statue must have been, it is nothing compared to the glory of the one true God! Those ancient Greeks are in for a surprise.
I was able to keep up without finding somewhere to sit and rest. Amazing!
Poor Anna Kate was worn out from all the culture! Chelsea brought Willie, so he supervised all naps.
Meanwhile, in Jackson, Henry was supervising Michael's work outside.
This is my good friend Karen Mitchell, who had a double lung transplant in the summer of 2017. Her sneaky husband told me she was going to be in Nashville with their youth group, so I surprised her! It was great to see her. Doesn't she look amazing?
These goodies were left outside of Chelsea's apartment door by an anonymous friend. Chelsea thought we had sent them to her!
This is Dr. Stephanie Norfolk, one of the transplant pulmonologists. I saw her for my last visit this month. I had not seen her since I was in the hospital. She told me that one of her patients was talking about "the amazing nurse who is a blogger, etc." Of course she could not confirm or deny that I am a patient. I hope that I have encouraged others. I love all of my providers, but Dr. Norfolk has a way of connecting with patients that is special. She looks at you while you are talking and listens intently. She puts a hand gently on your knee and validates what you are saying.
She was very pleased with my progress. She made me VERY happy by decreasing my steroids and stopping my antifungal. Fewer pills- yay! She also gave me permission to go home for the weekend.
My FEV1 is up to 91%, which is awesome. My labs are good - kidneys are not perfect, but MUCH better. I am walking 3 miles on the treadmill in an hour on a level 3 random program, using the Rex for 20 minutes, and doing arm and leg weights twice a week. I have a goal of walking in a 5K that our students are hosting to raise money for St. Jude and honor my donor. It will be on May 4th so I should be ready.
One of my challenges in rehab is the elliptical. I can only do 2 minutes on it. It is an instrument of the devil.
I still have the cough. Dr. Norfolk said there has been an opacity in my lower right lung on xray since my bronchoscopy. It has not changed. She ordered a CT, and they feel that it is a hematoma from the bronch, and it will resolve. She ordered some hypertonic saline in the nebulizer, and has me using a flutter valve to loosen any secretions. Pray that this resolves soon. I am sick of it!
Going home for the weekend was such a treat. Nothing like a big drink from Sonic for the ride (and maybe a burger and some tater tots.)
I slept for 8 straight hours for the first time since January 22. I did not tell anyone I was home because I was not sure how tired I would be. It rained on Saturday and I just enjoyed watchiing the Food Network with Henry.
Here is something odd/funny. I have had songs running through my head that normally would not. One morning it was "Addicted to Love." If you know me, you will know that I never really listened to pop music. I assumed that Huey Lewis sang it! The only words I even know are the ones in the chorus, so those are the ones stuck in my head over and over. I wonder if this song was a favorite of my donor......
As we prepare our hearts for Easter, please remember my donor's family. This will be their first Easter without him/her. I am so grateful for the gift they have given me. I have had the opportunity to spend time with my family this month doing things I could not do before. My quality of life is so much better- even two months out. I want to make this family proud of what I am doing with their gift. I am still amazed at God's hand in all of this. The story is not mine- it is HIS.
My three month bronchoscopy is scheduled for April 23. If there is no rejection, I should get to go home for good that week!
