A day without Vanderbilt!

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20

What a week.  I must apologize to all of you who have been through this.  I knew it would be tough, but I had no idea!  People tell me I am a strong person, but this experience made me doubt that.  I do not know how people without a strong support system make it through the 5^thday.

Speaking of support systems, I have to thank my husband, who put up with my irritability and anxiety all week, and my daughters, who drove in bad weather to attend required visits.  I could not have done this without the support and prayers of my family, friends, colleagues, and people I don’t even personally know.  My current students and former students have been so inspiring.  As a matter of fact, a previous student reminded me of the scripture above- I shared it with the mission team before we left in 2015.

Michael and I in Barcelona.

One of many pictures of Michael with gelato.

Our girls, Chelsea on the left and Christy on the right.

My mom with our grand daughters, Maggie and Anna Kate.

 Our grand dog, Willie B.

I want to especially thank my dear friend Ashleigh- Anne Hughes (AA). She received the gift a life in the form of a liver transplant.  This happened at Vanderbilt 4 years ago.  AA has been sharing her experiences with me for quite a while now, and was available to respond to my many, many texts from this week.  

This is a picture of AA and me from last summer.  We share a love for gummy bears and all things sweet.

It was AA who suggested the blog. She writes a blog and I really enjoy following her, but I am a very private person and did not want to share all of that.  As I was waiting for the evaluation week, I lurked on support websites and Facebook sites for people who are waiting for a lung transplant, and those who have received one.  The experiences of others helped me so much.  God was telling me to give back, so the day before the evaluation I began writing the blog, with AA’s help.  She urged me to not “sugar coat” anything.  

I have been shocked at how many people are reading the blog.  I have received so much encouragement! I have connected with friends and acquaintances from years ago.  I have received uplifting words from people I do not know- some from foreign countries. The blog is a powerful thing- for me, and for others. 

There was a bright spot at the end of the week.  Yesterday we adopted a rescue dog.  He was in a foster home, and that family kept him until we finished the evaluation week.  We committed to taking him in October, but did not want to leave him for a week so soon after bringing him home.  He is a Cocker Spaniel, like our beloved grand dog Willie (also a rescue).  He has a sweet disposition and loves people. Henry has been great therapy for me today.

Henry loves to ride in the truck.

Anna Kate with Henry.  He likes to hold his blue Kong ball in his mouth.

He is a good therapy dog!

As I wait for the phone call from the transplant committee, my mind is spinning. One of the easiest things to think about is the chance that I will not be a candidate for a transplant.  I am not afraid to die.  This world is not my home.  

The next the next thing I might hear is that I am a candidate for transplant, but they want more tests, or to re-evaluate me in a few months. This is what I think I will hear. My lungs are not working well, but I am not on oxygen at rest.  The possibility of needing more tests right now is unthinkable.  Pushing back a transplant for months (or more!) would make me happy.

The last possibility, that I might be listed now, is the hardest to think about.  First of all, I feel like there are others who are much “sicker” than me, and lungs are scarce.  Eight out of 10 donor lungs are unsuitable for transplant. My friend Karen Mitchell was on a heart lung machine when she was transplanted over a year ago.  She has two young girls who need their mom. In my mind, others need lungs more than I do.  Of course there is also the inevitable guilt that a family would be experiencing unimaginable grief in order for the transplant to happen.  If listed, I can only be four hours from Vanderbilt the entire time, which could very well be a year or more due to the antibodies and my stature.  

No mission trip.  

No family beach trip. We have been planning a beach trip in March- my sister’s family, my mom, and us.  I have not seen my nieces or my brother in law since my father’s funeral last year.  We are not really “beach people,” but have a beautiful house in Grayton Beach rented, and plans for a week of Skip-Bo, Five Second Rule, and all kinds of fun.  I don’t want to miss that time with family. 

(My nieces, from bottom to top- Cameron, Mackenzie, my daughter Chelsea, neice Amanda, and my daugher Christy.  My niece Laurel was not able to be here.) 

No attending my niece’s wedding. My sister, her mother, passed away a little over a year ago, and it is so important to me to be there.

I could be on this leash of for years.  I am not sure I want to do that.  

A transplant impacts many people, not just the one who has the transplant.  If listed, I would have to call the transplant center every Thursday with an update, and any time I got sick. There would be monthly visits for pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walks, blood work, and the dreaded arterial blood gases. 

After surgery, I would be required to live no more than 10 minutes away from Vanderbilt for THREE months!  Someone would have to be with me the entire time.  I would rather do just about anything to avoid imposing on people, so this puts a strain on my husband and daughters.  I would take at least 45 pills a day, plus insulin injections for a while.  There would be daily visits to pulmonary rehab, weekly lab work, and frequent bronchoscopies to check for rejection. 

So, I am supposed to “take it easy” this week, but I rode with my family to Martin to try the food at The Grind restaurant.  The doctors told me not to lose weight, so I ordered five courses.

 Courese #1: Mint chocolate chip

Course # 2- Smores!

Course # 3:  Cookies and Cream

Course # 4:  Banana pudding

Course # 5:  Peanut Butter and Chocolate 

Just following doctor's orders, ya'll

Matthew West's song "Strong Enough" fits Ephesians 3:20 pretty well.

Transplant evaluation day 4: Overwhelmed

"God excels in overcoming the overwhelming."

~ Jan Brazeau

This was the final day of my evaluation.  Last night around midnight, the fire alarm in the hotel blared for what seemed an eternity.  Thankfully, nothing was amiss, but it certainly added to the exhaustion I felt this morning. Originally I was to be here through Friday, but one test was completed when I came to the pulmonary clinic in September. The schedulers offered to move my heart cath from Friday to today so that I could go home.   The test I had in September is called esophageal manometry.  It is done to evaluate the muscle strength in the esophagus.  Swallowing is crucial, because aspirating into new lungs could be disastrous.  I wish I had thought to take pictures, but most of you would not have wanted to look at them. During this procedure, a tube is threaded through your nose into your stomach.  It is larger and stiffer than a feeding tube- as a matter of fact, it feels like a garden hose.  Once it is in place, you are given small sips of water  and asked to swallow as they measure the pressure your esophagus exerts upon the tube. It is a difficult test as it hurts to swallow, you gag often, and the tube is uncomfortable.  However, it is not terrible.  The nurse was very patient and encouraging.  Thankfully, my test was normal.

Since the heart cath was scheduled for today at 2 pm, I could not eat or drink anything.  We got to the hospital early, so Michael and Chelsea got a quick bite in Au Bon Pain.  Yes, they have one in the hospital! (I have been scoping out the restaurants- there is a Ben and Jerry's, a Mellow Mushroom, the Grilled Cheeserie, and Biscuit Love very close).  Michael made up for eating in front of me by purchasing a pastry for me to eat after my procedure.

My first visit of the day was with the transplant surgeon, Dr. Bacchetta.  I had looked him up and he is very accomplished!  He recently came to Vanderbilt to help expand the lung transplant program.  

I had been looking forward to meeting him.  This was another time I had to have a secondary caregiver present, so our daughter Chelsea came.  I was anticipating being told details about the surgical procedure and learning what would happen afterwards.  We had been given some of this information during other visits this week, but all of the information we were given was overwhelming, and repetition would help us process things.  I was so excited about seeing the brilliant surgeon who might be performing the surgery that would give me healthy lungs (there are two other lung transplant surgeons at Vandy).  I was very eager when I heard the knock on the exam room door.  He walked in, shook hands with all three of us, sat down, and said...... get ready for it..........

 "What questions do you have for me?"  WHAT?????  SERIOUSLY??????

I did not know where to begin and could not even articulate coherently.  This is an 8-12 hour surgery. I expected him to talk to us first.  That did not happen.  Chelsea and Michael had questions, but I was pretty much in shock.  I will say that he answered every one of their questions, and was very reassuring, but I was just put off by the way he began the visit.  Chelsea did ask about the HLA antibody situation- he talked about that some, and about using the lung in a box (like Dr. Shaver had talked about) to buy time in order to be certain the donor lungs matched perfectly.  He also said he had transplanted someone with an antibody level (PRA) of 98% and she is doing well 3 years post transplant.

It was also interesting to learn that Vanderbilt did 21 lung transplants in the last 3.5 months.  The highest number they have done before this was 27, in 2015. 

When I left the visit with the surgeon, I felt like I might punch the next person who asked my to verify my birthday, address, etc.  I had just had enough.  I honestly did not want to continue, and if this were not the last day, I might not have.  I was surprised by this feeling.  The overcast, rainy, freezing weather was not helping my disposition either. 

The next thing on my schedule was another pulmonary function test.  The respiratory therapist who did my test this time told me his wife works with Tennessee Donor Services!  

Here is a picture of the PFT "box" again, in case you forgot what it looks like.

The very last thing on my schedule was a heart catheterization, to ensure that my heart is healthy enough to withstand such complex surgery.  Chronic lung disease can cause heart disease. We had to check in as soon as I finished the PFTs, but the procedure was not scheduled until 2 pm.  

I was taken into a small pre-op area and admitted.  The nurse taking care of me, Amanda, was delightful (just like my niece Amanda, who is also a nurse).  She had recently earned her master's degree and passed the certification exam as a Family Nurse Practitioner.  We had fun chatting about that.  She is moving to Colorado, so I encouraged her to come to Union for her doctoral degree!  I will recruit anywhere and everywhere.  

The pre-op room was a frozen tundra.  One of the nurses said that even her sinuses were frozen. My favorite nurse, Amanda gave me warm blankets, and even draped one across my shoulders and back.  This was a great way to get a shout out on the evaluation I will be doing!  The only downside was that the blankets covered my designer gown.  This is a picture of Amanda and me.

If you thought I was going to get out of there without another stick, you were wrong.  It took two attempts this time to start the IV.  I believe this is 13 sticks for the week, and this is the fourth IV.  To commemorate the occasion, I took a picture.  Don't be jealous. 

They got me into the cath lab around 3:30.  The cardiologist was such a nice man.  He was funny and upbeat.  Here is his artwork - and he did not charge extra for it.

I had a heart cath about 5 years ago, and I refused the sedation because I wanted to hear what the doctor was saying.  Well, this time they had to access vessels in my neck as well as my groin, so I let them give me the drugs.  There is just something about a needle in your neck......... They could not use my wrist because of my height (or lack thereof).  Oh yes- that added two more sticks for the week.  Anyway, whatever they gave me was great because it relaxed me but did not affect my ability to interact or remember.  Also, I never felt the stick in my neck.  I did feel the one in my groin, but it was not bad.  The best part was that the entire test was normal.  

I had to wait for two hours with pressure on the areas and with my head flat on the  pillow.  I was starving by then, so I ate the pastry Michael brought from Au Bon Pain.  Yes, you can eat with your head flat on a pillow if you are hungry enough.

As I was lying there waiting I remembered how badly I hate being in the hospital.  I was so very tired and I just wanted to get back to the hotel. I was so thankful that we did not have to drive back to Jackson, even though I wanted to be home.

Buh-bye, Vanderbilt!

We left the hospital around 7:30 pm.  I was drained.  I was exhausted.  I was overwhelmed.  On my Facebook memories, there was a old posting from my dear friend Jan Brazeau.  I met Jan during a mission trip in the Dominican Republic.  Her wonderful late husband Steve was a dentist, and Jan is a nurse.  They had been full time missionaries in the past, and still brought teams to the DR each year.  I learned so much from Jan, and she inspires me to this day. She is a faithful servant of the Lord, and a treasured friend.  It was no coincidence that her quote popped up today- I typed it at the beginning of this post.  I needed to hear it!

Now I wait.  The transplant team meets on Fridays to discuss the people who have completed their evaluations.  I will get a call at some point telling me their recommendations.  It will be one of these things:

                           You are not a candidate for transplant 

                                    We need more tests
         You are a candidate, but you are not quite "sick enough" at this point
                    You are a candidate and we want to list you now

Listen to Mandisa sing "Overcomer."  This may be my new theme song.

Transplant evaluation day 3: Far from over

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding

~Steven Curtis Chapman

Today was another FULL day. Whew!  I started out by seeing the transplant pulmonologist, Dr. Shaver.  She is wonderful!  She is brilliant AND she has a great bedside manner.  She had some of the results of my tests.  Many things were completely normal.  However, there were a few things to discuss.

I do not have antibodies to chicken pox, even though I have had a positive titer in the past.  The varicella vaccine is a live virus and they do not want to give it to me due to my immunosuppression, but after transplant I would be even more immunosuppressed, and chicken pox could be very serious.  I also do not have antibodies to Hepatitis B, even though I have had the series of vaccines twice.  Fortunately, I was scheduled with the infectious disease doctor next.

The CT showed a nodule in my pelvis, but I have actually have that evaluated before and it is nothing of concern.  The radiologist is going to request the scans.

Finally, I have antibodies to human tissue, called HLA antibodies.  These are made when you are exposed to human tissue, such as after a blood transplant, or during a pregnancy.  Most women have some of these.  The issue for transplant is when the levels are high.  My level is 99%- in September is was 80%, but Dr. Shaver said "they found some more."  What that means is that 99% of lungs would not be a match for me.  It is not impossible to find that 1%, but they have to put you on the waitlist early, because it could take a  year or two to find a match.  This was not news I wanted to hear.  Dr. Shaver (who is also an immunologist) said there are things that can be done to find those lungs.  Part of this has to do with the lung in a box.  This is a fascinating new tool for keeping lungs viable before transplant. Click on the link and read about it!

The various specialists I have seen have already been communicating with each other.  The selection committee will meet this Friday, and I should hear about that next week.

This is the amazing Dr. Shaver.  

My next visit was with the infectious disease doctor, in a different building.  I got there a few minutes late, but he was running behind.  I was immediately stressed because the next visit in a completely different office (we had to drive) was at 11:00 am.  The fellow came in to get my history, etc. at 10:00. Dr. Larue came in about 10:20.  He is a Union grad!  He graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1998.  Some of his professors are still there.  Dr. Larue only does transplant infectious disease, and does not see anyone who is not a transplant patient    He is also very smart, obviously.  

We talked about the chicken pox and Hepatitis B issues, and also my extensive traveling.  He wants me to repeat the Hepatitis B series.  Due to my immunosuppression, he does not want to give me the live virus chicken pox vaccination, and recommended the new shingles vaccine, Shingrix.  It is not a live vaccine.  However, there is a national shortage, so I need to call and try to find it.  I also have to have a tetanus booster.  More sticks!

I did not leave there until 11:00, which was when I was supposed to be at the next appointment.  

Dr. Larue is in the center.  Sam the fellow is in the lab coat.

Meanwhile, my daughter Christy called.  She was coming in from Jackson as a secondary caregiver was required to come to the afternoon appointments.  It was sleeting and snowing in Jackson.  I called the transplant office to see if she could Face Time, but she had to be there in person.  This increased my anxiety level.

We hurried to West End for the next appointment, which was with the allergist.  We were only 15 minutes late!  I am allergic to two drugs, itraconozole (caused a rash) and azithromycin (severe reaction).  The purpose of this visit was to determine whether or not I am really allergic to them.  A fellow came in and took my history, etc.  She told me I would need to be there for three hours for the testing.  My next appointment, the one my daughter was driving through the snow for, was less than two hours away!  My anxiety increased even more.  

Dr. Phillips came in and talked with me.  The test for itraconazole allergy consists of a skin patch which has itraconazole on one end, and petroleum on the other end. I have to remove the patch on Friday, take pictures every day, and email the pictures to her.

I had to reschedule the second test, during which they will give me a tiny dose of azthromycin, and watch me for an hour.  If I am okay after an hour, they will give me a larger dose and watch me for two hours.  This test is scheduled for January.  The delay will not be a problem with the selection committee meeting.

We actually made it to the appointment with the social worker just exactly on time!  We had not had a spare minute and I was starving, so those snacks in my bag came in handy. Our daughter was slowed down by the weather, but arrived just a few minutes after 1:00.  During our meeting the social worker asked questions about our family situation, my support system, and our feelings about transplant. He asked Christy what she thought was the reason I am able to cope so well.  She said my faith, and my knowledge.  

Next there was an educational meeting with the transplant RN, Erin.  Another family was present.  Erin talked to us for almost two hours about how the transplant process works, and all the things we would be facing.  I will have to stay in Nashville (a maximum of ten minutes away) for three months.  Someone will have to be with me all the time.  

What a crazy day.  There were no tests today, but the schedule was hectic and there is quite a bit of information to process.  Christy is traveling back to Jackson in the sleet and snow, and Chelsea is driving here in the rain so she can be here for the visit with the surgeon.  I am so grateful for my daughters, who have put their lives on hold to be there for me.

The news about my HLA antibodies today caused me to pause.  In thinking about that, I realized that God is bigger than those HLA antibodies.  If he wants me to have a transplant, then those lungs in the 1% will be available. God is still writing my story!  Whatever happens, God will be glorified.  Just you wait and see- you will be amazed!

Transplant evaluation day 2: The Great Adventure

Saddle up your horses

We've got a trail to blaze

Through the wild blue yonder of God's Amazing grace

Let's follow our leader into the Glorious unknown

This is the life like no other whoa whoa

This is the great adventure

~ from The Great Adventure by Steven Curtis Chapman

I started out my morning thinking about the best place to park.  All of my appointments were on the south end of the property, and I was trying to figure out how we could park on the fifth floor near the first doctor's office.  I decided it would be quite an adventure to ride around in the parking lot on a quest for the perfect parking spot.  The old Steven Curtis Chapman song "The Great Adventure" came to my mind.  You won't believe this, but a few seconds later that same song came on the radio in the truck!  Do you think that was a coincidence?  

Here is Michael's idea of how to begin a great adventure.

It's a good thing I do not care for Krispy Kreme or coffee, because I had to be fasting.

My first visit today was with the cardiologist, to make sure my heart is healthy enough to withstand the surgery.  Fun fact:  I have a patent foramen oval (PFO), which is a tiny hole between the upper chambers of my heart.  This is not a big deal, and I was born with it.  The hole is supposed to close at birth, and about 25% of the population has this condition.  This was discovered with the exiting "bubble echo" I had yesterday.  The visit went well and she said I was a boring patient, which is a good thing!

Vanderbilt, you need to step it up with your gift shop!  That is all.

 From there I went back to hospital radiology. They had already decorated for Christmas.

 I had a VQ scan, or ventilation/perfusion study.  This test shows how air gets in and out of the lungs, and how blood flows to the lungs.  It is done in the nuclear medicine area, because radioactive materials are used.

First I had to breathe the radioactive material through a nebulizer.  It was harder than it sounds.  I had to keep my mouth tightly around the tube, and there was a clamp on my nose. I was lying on my back, and it did not take long for me to feel like I could not breathe. The techs were great at reassuring me, but the five minutes seemed like an eternity.

How is this for a selfie?

Would I like a warm blanket?  Is that even a question?!?!?!  The warm blanket makes up for a multitude of sticks.

Next I had to lie in a scanner while cameras rotated around me, so they could trace the radioactive substance as it came in and out of my lungs (ventilation).  That was not bad at all.  It took about 15 minutes.

 After that, they had to start an IV (yes, really) so they could administer intravenous radioactive material.  They were able to do this with only two sticks!  Then we repeated the part with the cameras to see how my blood carried the substance to my lungs (perfusion).

Don't worry- I am not radioactive.  It was just a tiny bit!

When they wrapped my hand after removing the IV, they coordinated the wrap with my blouse.  Or perhaps that is Vanderbilt blue.

After that, I had a chest X-ray, and a panoramic film of my mandible and maxilla- like the X-ray the dentist takes.  

Michael has decided to share a recommendation:  bring a backpack for your stuff.  I am hurt that he did not like carrying my Brighton bag.

My last visit was with the nutritionist. She asked my what I eat in a typical day-um.....jelly beans, cookies, chocolate, twizzlers, oh- and maybe a few vegetables and a little protein.  I redeemed myself when I told her I mostly only drink water.  Basically she went over all the things I should be eating now, and all the things I would be eating after transplant.  

It was a full day, but not as jam packed as yesterday.  We have a kitchenette in our room, so I sent Michael to Kroger to bring something to prepare here, as I did not want to get out.  Maybe I should have been more specific.

All through the day, the Great Adventure song played in my head.  What a wonderful adventure we get to experience every day with God.  The lyrics have taken on new meaning for me.  Enjoy this video from the 80s- I know you had the big hair and shoulder pads- don't deny it!

Here is a version that was re-released for the 25th anniversary of this powerful song.  It is fun to see the differences.

I am saddling up my horses for tomorrow, only I am adding a coat and umbrella.

Transplant evaluation day 1: The air I breathe

This is the air I breathe,

This is the air I breathe,

Your holy presence living in me

~from "Breathe" by John and Maria Barnett

Day 1, up at 5 am (wasn't sleeping anyway), dressed and ready to go.  Someone on the Vanderbilt Transplant Buddies Facebook site recommended that I take snacks.  I forgot the gummy bears, Laffy Taffy, and jelly beans, but I thought these would do.

 We arrived at the Vanderbilt Pulmonology Clinic at 7:20, before the receptionists were even there.  This is the place where I have been going every six months to have tests and see the pre-transplant doctor.  I signed in and received my updated transplant schedule along with other documents.

I did not wait long for them to call my name.  The first thing on the list was the arterial blood gas draw.  Those of you who have had this done know that it is more than a tiny bit painful.  The last time I came they could not get blood, so I was praying that would not be the case today.  After three attempts- success!  (Warning- if you are squeamish scroll through this next picture)

Liquid gold!

 On to pulmonary function tests.  This set of tests reveals so much about the function of lungs.  You are required to hold your breath, breathe fast, breathe slowly, breathe deeply, and pant like a dog.  This happens in various sequences, and some are repeated.  Oh yes, you get to wear a lovely nose clip during the entire process. It is harder than it sounds.  I often see stars and feel like I am going to pass out before it is okay to take a breath.  If you are doing the full set of tests, they close the door on the "glass box" and have you do more tests.  Whew, I'm worn out just writing about it!

The last part of this test is a 6 minute walk, which is just what it sounds like.  You walk up and down the hall at your own pace and they check your oxygen saturation.  You have to walk at least 750 feet to be listed for a transplant.  I walked 1135 feet today!  I can usually walk for about that long on flat ground without oxygen, as long as I walk slowly and am not carrying anything.

From there I went to the lab.

I never tell anyone ahead of time, but I am usually a difficult stick.  I have been stuck multiple times on many occasions in an attempt to draw blood or start an IV.  My veins are very small and scarred.  Today was a great day, because the phlebotomist got 18 (gulp) tubes of blood on the first attempt!

Are all of those for me?

Happy patient!  But seriously, do I have any blood left?  I need chocolate!

Okay, onward and forward to radiology- clinic radiology, that is.

This visit was for a DEXA scan, which measures bone density.  I have had many scans in the past, because I do have osteoporosis.  After a transplant you have to take very large doses of steroids, which can thin the bones.  This test is painless and takes only a few minutes.  No IVs and you do not even need to put on a gown!

My next appointment was with the transplant psychiatrist.  The transplant team wants to make sure you have good coping skills and they also want to let you know that the medications you take post transplant can cause depression, anxiety, and irritability.  For some reason, my secondary caregiver had to be present for this appointment, so our daughter Christy drove up.  The office is across the street from Vanderbilt, and it was cold and raining.  Did I mention I hate rain and cannot tolerate cold?  Satan knows how to push my buttons.  The visit consisted of questions.  At one point the doctor asked me if I felt hopeless. I replied that I am a Christian, so I always have hope.  She did not respond and just continued to the next question.  It was awkward.  I felt a little strange taking pictures there, so this is the only one I took.

We ate a quick lunch at a pizza place that was close by and it was good.  When we got back to the clinic building, I was tired from all the walking and back to back visits, but we kept going!

The next challenge was finding the Heart and Vascular Institute (in another building- we had to walk through a parking garage to get there).

First I had an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart.  For this test, I got to put on a designer hospital gown.  As the ultrasound tech began the test, I watched my heart beat on the monitor- amazed at how the valves opened and closed over and over again, to pump blood to my lungs and to my body. I mentioned something to the tech about how miraculously God created us, but she did not comment back. I was in a dark room on a bed, and they covered me with a blanket.  I'm pretty sure I fell asleep at some point.  However, at the end of the test they told me they had to start an IV to give me saline that is shaken up with air.  It is called a "bubble echo."  They watch for the bubbles to move from one side of your heart to the other, to be sure everything is moving in the right direction.  Two sticks later, the IV was partially in, but far enough to administer the saline.  The nurse taped it securely in hopes that radiology could use it for my upcoming tests.  After the echo I had a EKG.  

On the way back to the main building, we saw this.  You know I had to get a picture!  Yay for nurses!

 By this time I was getting really tired.  We made our way to hospital radiology (in a different place from the radiology department we visited this morning.)

 I was scheduled for two CTs- one of my abdomen and pelvis, and one of my chest.  The one for my chest required an infusion of contrast dye.  Remember the IV from the echocardiogram?  It was in my left arm.  It seems that it has to be in the right arm for this test.  So, after one unsuccessful stick, she sent me to the PICC line nurse, who used ultrasound to find a vein.  The first one went through the vein.  She found a vein in the underside of my upper arm, and victory was mine!  The CT itself is painless and quick.  

 If you enlarge the picture, you can see the IV.  This fancy CT machine is one of only three in the country, and one of the other two is in the ER at Vandy.  It is faster and takes better pictures.  This means you are exposed to less radiation, and it takes less time.

It was 5:00 and I was finally finished.   Actually,  I was "stick a fork in me" done.  I was not expecting it, but I broke down into tears as I was leaving CT.  I was losing my sunny disposition  The tests were uncomfortable, but  but not terrible.  I guess it was the combination of the weather, the walking, and the multiple needle sticks.  I felt exhausted.  My husband picked up on this and took me to The Grilled Cheeserie for tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.  Comfort food was just what I needed-  no fancy food tonight.  (If you have never been there, it is across the street from the Pancake Pantry two blocks from Vandy- it is amazing!)  I wanted to bring Christy here for lunch, but it was too far for me to walk and I only had 30 minutes before my next appointment. 

Michael chose roasted red pepper soup with a grilled mac (yes, macaroni) and pimento cheese sandwich.

Here is my choice -plain old tomato soup and grilled cheese -just what I needed!

We came back and I did one of my favorite things- put on my pjs!  There is a Hallmark Christmas movie on TV as I type this blog post.  I feel better now.

As I reflected on the day, I recalled how often the people taking care of me remarked about how well I appear, and how they were surprised that I had done so well over the years.  To God be the glory!  The Michael Smith song "Breathe" came to mind.  The air in my lungs is not what is keeping me alive, it is the presence of God living in me.  He truly is the air I breathe!