Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
In September I had my second episode of minimal acute rejection, and received three days of high dose steroids again. My first follow up bronchoscopy was on October 16th, and I still had acute rejection. I was feeling much better, and my lung function was great, so the team decided to hold off on treatment and repeat the bronchoscopy in four weeks. Yay! I certainly did not argue about this decision. I don't know anyone who begs for high dose steroids.
Dr. Shaver had previously told me that I could go to a meeting in Washington DC. Since I was doing so well, and the rejection was minimal, Dr. Shaver still let me go- with the promise of wearing an intense mask on the plane, etc. Michael went with me and I was very excited about seeing colleagues from across the country, and catching up on the latest news in nursing education.
Hello old friend! The carpet in the Nashville airport was a sight for sore eyes.
We boarded the plane early and wiped down everything- everything- with antibacterial wipes. I got some interesting looks with this fun mask.
This is the portable oxygen concentrator I had to use prior to transplant whenever I traveled. I did not miss it. Buh-bye!
This is Michael and me at the Lincoln Memorial. I had always been too tired to do any sight- seeing at previous meetings. This time, I had the breath and the stamina to walk all over the city. Yes, I wore my mask. (It is in my hand- I take it off for pictures.)
The keynote speaker at our meeting was Doris Kearns Goodwin. I have heard her speak once before, and if you ever have the opportunity to hear her or to read one of her books, do it! She is a historian who has been the biographer for several US presidents. Here is a quote from her presentation:
"More and more it seems to me that the best thing in life is to have a piece of work worth doing, and then do it well."
The best part of our short trip was having dinner with my brother in law, Mike, at Filomena. Mike is a retired Marine, a US Naval Academy graduate, and currently works in DC. We had not seen each other since my father's funeral and it was wonderful to catch up. When my sister Kathi was living, she would come down from Connecticut when I was in DC. Kathi and I devoured anything Italian, and we also loved a little place in Georgetown called Bread and Chocolate (potato leek soup, rustic bread, and chocolate fondue-heavenly!)
One day I was in McAllister's near our Hendersonville campus, and heard someone say my name. It was Courtney Bobel-Nichols, who had a lung transplant 8 years ago- and her sister Raichon has had a double lung transplant as well! We had never met in person, but we know each other from the Vanderbilt Lung Buddies facebook page. Isn't she beautiful?
Jackson has a Food and Arts festival every year. I was honored to help with the Donate Life booth.
I also was asked to give a short talk at an organ donation symposium in November. I was nervous and did not get any pictures. I hope to speak more for organ donation in the future.
We (the College of Nursing) sponsored a conference for nurse practitioners - there were over 90 participants. I loved catching up with everyone!
In the center is Beverly McCann, who taught me everything I know about being a great nurse practitioner, and she also taught me quite a bit about life! She owns Newbern Medical, which is where I practice from time to time.
In late November I had my second post-rejection bronchoscopy. I was still doing very well- my lung function numbers were great. This time, the biopsy was negative for rejection! Woo Hoo! There have to be two negative bronchoscopies after an episode of rejection before you can go back to the "routine" schedule. My next one will be in January, and will also serve as my one year evaluation! If it is negative, I will only have to have a bronchoscopy once a year, unless I have any changes.
The Vanderbilt Lung Transplant program held a holiday luncheon for us. It was like a family reunion. The transplant pulmonologists, surgeon, coordinators, and nurses all came.
My coordinator and my rock, Elizabeth Gerstenfeld.
Ginger Whittaker, who is the nurse I saw in the pulmonary clinic. Now she works with the transplant coordinators. It was great to see her!
Just a few of us- on your left is Terry Nixon. In my last blog there is a picture of us and he had just received his transplant. He is home now! Next to him in the front is Amber Runions. Amber is also home and doing well. Next to Amber is Becky Dempsey. Next to me is Stacey Cox. Stacey had a tough time after her surgery, but she is a fighter and is now in her apartment across the street from Vanderbilt. Next to Stacey is Rachel Stanley- who has also had an extended stay due to some challenges. Six miracles in this picture, but there are six people not in the picture- the six who selflessly gave the gift of life. Twelve lives joined by the miracle of organ donation. When you look at us, pray for our donor families.
Chelsea surprised me with an early Christmas present- VIP tickets to a Point of Grace concert! We did a little shopping and ate before the concert. I had so much fun!
We got to attend a meet and greet and have our picture made. We also received a gift bag that had two POG Christmas CDs in it. It was very late when we got home, but it was worth every lost moment of lost sleep. One of the best Christmas presents ever!
This is my new friend Bushonna Early. She was working in the lobby before the concert. I could see her struggling to breathe, pulling her oxygen tank- it brought back unpleasant memories. Something told me to go and speak to her, so I did. I had no idea what we would say to each other, but it was meant to be, because she is currently in the process of being evaluated for a lung transplant at Vanderbilt. No coincidences. I have had the privilege of answering questions for her and encouraging her.
My first Christmas with these new lungs. I am going to enjoy every moment!
Yes, this is an advent calendar for dogs. There are treats behind each door. Christy, Maggie, and Anna Kate gave it to Henry. Don't judge.
It would not be Christmas without another test at Vanderbilt!
Because reflux can cause rejection, I had to have another EGD with the placement of a "BRAVO" capsule. The capsule measures the amount of acid in the esophagus and transmits this information to a box you clip on your waistband- an $8000 box. They make sure you know that before you leave with it. If you do not return it after the 48 hour test, you better find $8000. Thankfully, this test was normal- AND I returned the box. Whew!
December brought another graduation. The College of Nursing was blessed with over 90 BSN grads, and over 40 MSN grads!. I love graduation, and I am so thankful to be able to participate.
Candlelight service at church- one of my very favorite things to do with my family. This year, I did not have to worry that my oxygen tank would cause an explosion and burn down the church with all those flames. Also, I had enough breath to blow out my own candle.
Christmas was filled with fun activities!
Yes, the dogs had matching Christmas pajamas. Doesn't everyone do that?
They also had matching Christmas sweaters, but it was too warm to make them wear them after the pictures.
I had enough stamina to go to a light show Christmas night. Last year it took every ounce of strength I had.
Thanks to my donor, it was a wonderful Christmas.
Now, here is the part that my head understands, but my heart does not.
In October, I asked Dr. Shaver about going on the mission trip. Since 2009 we have taken a group of nursing students to the Dominican Republic every January. It is a life changing trip, and one of the reasons many of our students come to Union. To me, it is much more than a trip; it is my heart. Last year I was listed for transplant the day before we were to leave, so for the first time ever, I did not go. I was ecstatic about going this year.
Dr. Shaver listened to me talk about how I would wear an N95 mask, gloves, even a Hazmat suit! I explained that there are multiple flights to the US every day, so if I needed to get back I could. I said everything I could think of to persuade her to "see it my way." The team decided it was too risky and I was told "maybe next year." I was devastated. I rationalized that if my November bronchoscopy was negative, the doctors might change their minds. Well, the November bronchoscopy was negative. Still no. I know they have my best interest in mind, but I was (am) still sad. I finally told my husband, and the other faculty going on the trip.
Tonight, once again, I saw tail lights through tears as the bus drove off in the night.
I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed what God has planned,
I only know at his right hand stands one who is my Savior.
~Aaron Shust
In September I had my second episode of minimal acute rejection, and received three days of high dose steroids again. My first follow up bronchoscopy was on October 16th, and I still had acute rejection. I was feeling much better, and my lung function was great, so the team decided to hold off on treatment and repeat the bronchoscopy in four weeks. Yay! I certainly did not argue about this decision. I don't know anyone who begs for high dose steroids.
Dr. Shaver had previously told me that I could go to a meeting in Washington DC. Since I was doing so well, and the rejection was minimal, Dr. Shaver still let me go- with the promise of wearing an intense mask on the plane, etc. Michael went with me and I was very excited about seeing colleagues from across the country, and catching up on the latest news in nursing education.
Hello old friend! The carpet in the Nashville airport was a sight for sore eyes.
We boarded the plane early and wiped down everything- everything- with antibacterial wipes. I got some interesting looks with this fun mask.
This is the portable oxygen concentrator I had to use prior to transplant whenever I traveled. I did not miss it. Buh-bye!
This is Michael and me at the Lincoln Memorial. I had always been too tired to do any sight- seeing at previous meetings. This time, I had the breath and the stamina to walk all over the city. Yes, I wore my mask. (It is in my hand- I take it off for pictures.)
The keynote speaker at our meeting was Doris Kearns Goodwin. I have heard her speak once before, and if you ever have the opportunity to hear her or to read one of her books, do it! She is a historian who has been the biographer for several US presidents. Here is a quote from her presentation:
"More and more it seems to me that the best thing in life is to have a piece of work worth doing, and then do it well."
The best part of our short trip was having dinner with my brother in law, Mike, at Filomena. Mike is a retired Marine, a US Naval Academy graduate, and currently works in DC. We had not seen each other since my father's funeral and it was wonderful to catch up. When my sister Kathi was living, she would come down from Connecticut when I was in DC. Kathi and I devoured anything Italian, and we also loved a little place in Georgetown called Bread and Chocolate (potato leek soup, rustic bread, and chocolate fondue-heavenly!)
One day I was in McAllister's near our Hendersonville campus, and heard someone say my name. It was Courtney Bobel-Nichols, who had a lung transplant 8 years ago- and her sister Raichon has had a double lung transplant as well! We had never met in person, but we know each other from the Vanderbilt Lung Buddies facebook page. Isn't she beautiful?
Jackson has a Food and Arts festival every year. I was honored to help with the Donate Life booth.
I also was asked to give a short talk at an organ donation symposium in November. I was nervous and did not get any pictures. I hope to speak more for organ donation in the future.
We (the College of Nursing) sponsored a conference for nurse practitioners - there were over 90 participants. I loved catching up with everyone!
In the center is Beverly McCann, who taught me everything I know about being a great nurse practitioner, and she also taught me quite a bit about life! She owns Newbern Medical, which is where I practice from time to time.
In late November I had my second post-rejection bronchoscopy. I was still doing very well- my lung function numbers were great. This time, the biopsy was negative for rejection! Woo Hoo! There have to be two negative bronchoscopies after an episode of rejection before you can go back to the "routine" schedule. My next one will be in January, and will also serve as my one year evaluation! If it is negative, I will only have to have a bronchoscopy once a year, unless I have any changes.
The Vanderbilt Lung Transplant program held a holiday luncheon for us. It was like a family reunion. The transplant pulmonologists, surgeon, coordinators, and nurses all came.
My coordinator and my rock, Elizabeth Gerstenfeld.
Just a few of us- on your left is Terry Nixon. In my last blog there is a picture of us and he had just received his transplant. He is home now! Next to him in the front is Amber Runions. Amber is also home and doing well. Next to Amber is Becky Dempsey. Next to me is Stacey Cox. Stacey had a tough time after her surgery, but she is a fighter and is now in her apartment across the street from Vanderbilt. Next to Stacey is Rachel Stanley- who has also had an extended stay due to some challenges. Six miracles in this picture, but there are six people not in the picture- the six who selflessly gave the gift of life. Twelve lives joined by the miracle of organ donation. When you look at us, pray for our donor families.
Chelsea surprised me with an early Christmas present- VIP tickets to a Point of Grace concert! We did a little shopping and ate before the concert. I had so much fun!
We got to attend a meet and greet and have our picture made. We also received a gift bag that had two POG Christmas CDs in it. It was very late when we got home, but it was worth every lost moment of lost sleep. One of the best Christmas presents ever!
This is my new friend Bushonna Early. She was working in the lobby before the concert. I could see her struggling to breathe, pulling her oxygen tank- it brought back unpleasant memories. Something told me to go and speak to her, so I did. I had no idea what we would say to each other, but it was meant to be, because she is currently in the process of being evaluated for a lung transplant at Vanderbilt. No coincidences. I have had the privilege of answering questions for her and encouraging her.
My first Christmas with these new lungs. I am going to enjoy every moment!
Yes, this is an advent calendar for dogs. There are treats behind each door. Christy, Maggie, and Anna Kate gave it to Henry. Don't judge.
It would not be Christmas without another test at Vanderbilt!
Because reflux can cause rejection, I had to have another EGD with the placement of a "BRAVO" capsule. The capsule measures the amount of acid in the esophagus and transmits this information to a box you clip on your waistband- an $8000 box. They make sure you know that before you leave with it. If you do not return it after the 48 hour test, you better find $8000. Thankfully, this test was normal- AND I returned the box. Whew!
December brought another graduation. The College of Nursing was blessed with over 90 BSN grads, and over 40 MSN grads!. I love graduation, and I am so thankful to be able to participate.
Candlelight service at church- one of my very favorite things to do with my family. This year, I did not have to worry that my oxygen tank would cause an explosion and burn down the church with all those flames. Also, I had enough breath to blow out my own candle.
Christmas was filled with fun activities!
I had enough energy for our traditional Christmas Eve Skip Bo marathon.
Yes, the dogs had matching Christmas pajamas. Doesn't everyone do that?
They also had matching Christmas sweaters, but it was too warm to make them wear them after the pictures.
I had enough stamina to go to a light show Christmas night. Last year it took every ounce of strength I had.
Thanks to my donor, it was a wonderful Christmas.
Now, here is the part that my head understands, but my heart does not.
In October, I asked Dr. Shaver about going on the mission trip. Since 2009 we have taken a group of nursing students to the Dominican Republic every January. It is a life changing trip, and one of the reasons many of our students come to Union. To me, it is much more than a trip; it is my heart. Last year I was listed for transplant the day before we were to leave, so for the first time ever, I did not go. I was ecstatic about going this year.
Dr. Shaver listened to me talk about how I would wear an N95 mask, gloves, even a Hazmat suit! I explained that there are multiple flights to the US every day, so if I needed to get back I could. I said everything I could think of to persuade her to "see it my way." The team decided it was too risky and I was told "maybe next year." I was devastated. I rationalized that if my November bronchoscopy was negative, the doctors might change their minds. Well, the November bronchoscopy was negative. Still no. I know they have my best interest in mind, but I was (am) still sad. I finally told my husband, and the other faculty going on the trip.
Tonight, once again, I saw tail lights through tears as the bus drove off in the night.
I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed what God has planned,
I only know at his right hand stands one who is my Savior.
~Aaron Shust
