Tuesday, November 30, 2010, Post Op Day 6
8:00am Remaining chest tubes removed. Yes!
Nap time, I'm beat.
More exercising...walking, steps, treadmill.
Arm exercises: up, down, up, down, up, down.
Nap time, I'm beat.
OK...Education time. Let's learn about all the antibiotics and rejection medications, doses and side effects.
Nap time, I'm beat.
OK, time to get up and do some physical therapy.
I set another record today...walked more than half a mile and was not out of breath, amazed myself. Just another milestone I need to reach to get out of here, shouldn't be long before I get the discharge orders. It's still hard to believe that this time, last week, I could barely stand long enough to take a shower, and had to rest 2-3 hours afterwards due to the exertion. My what a difference a new pair of lungs can make.
BM...oh yea, baby!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Boot Camp for Transplant Recruits
I'm sorry I didn't update my blog earlier, but the powers to be around here have kept me very busy. It seems once you get out of "The Unit" you're treated just like any other patient, sort of like Boot Camp for transplant recruits.
Here's what happened today.
Up at the crack of dawn this morning to get ready for PT, that's Physical Training. My DI (Drill Instructor) came in my room turning on all the lights and kicking all the trash cans to scare me. Believe it or not, I had to kick my slippers off and put my walking shoes on. Then the DI, I mean physical therapist, made me load up my IV pole with my chest tube containers and march up and down the halls, no rest, no breaks, no snacks and worst of all no naps.
Then it was up to the PT room for steps and stairwell training. It felt like I climbed about 10 stories worth of steps, but was about 14 total if I recall correctly. Still no breaks, rests, snacks or naps. I'm told I need to be able to do steps if I want to go home.
OK, now it's back to my barracks for another physical. The Doc's came in and gave me the once over, again. I had another set of X-rays to check my lungs...they all look good, nothing to report here, keep up the good work. They say I'll be getting out of here if I keep doing what I'm doing...it's just another day in boot camp.
It seems I'm doing well enough they don't need to monitor all my heart and lung blood pressurres, so I can now have my A-Lines removed...that's Arterial Lines for you non-com's, had three of them total. The femoral A-line was removed the second day after surgery. Today they removed the A-lines that were in my neck and wrist...ah, that sure feels better, thank you very much, may I please have another. I now have more freedom and flexibility, makes for easier moving around from my bunk, to the deck, to the latrine.
Hey, how about these chest tubes! The Medical Officers are checking on that now. Oh, still oozing and need to keep them in for a bit longer. OK, guess I'm not in a position to argue that one, we will keep them in for awhile longer. It seems it's smarter to keep them in and help drain the extra fluids out...beats having to reinstall new tubes later...Ouch!
Well it's a good thing I have my Porta-Cath, we'll just access it for the remainder of my IV antibiotics. I've had the "port" for about 8 years now and it's still working well. This is the normal method I use for most of my IV antibiotics for the many "CF Tune Ups" I've had in past years. I'll (hopefully) only use this in the future for antibiotics in the event some infections flare up.
Uh oh, now they say the epidural can come out too...that means I'll have to toughen up a bit and handle the pain with oral medicines. Hey, I can handle that, should be a piece of cake since I've been swallowing pills and capsules since I was 3 years old. I remember taking about 20 pills a day back then...it's up a bit now, around 30 a day, and I'm doing insulin shots on top of it, due to my CF related Diabetes.
Wow, this is nice, feels like I've lost about 80 lbs of gear and attachments, should make it much easier to get around the hallways without all the extra hardware. I should be able to walk further and with quicker times.
Ok, PT's back, now it's time for the treadmill, let's just see what kind of stamina we have now. Hey, not bad, just walked .25 miles in about 18 minutes...that's pretty good, I think. I bet I can do it again, later.
Well, finally, time for some Benedryl and my IV meds...guess I'll take a nap and hopefully my food tray will be delivered jus tbefore I wake up.
Oh, the life of a transplant recruit...hope I get to write home soon! Mom, send more snacks and money so I can wak down to the cafeteria and buy some pretzels.
Over and Out!
Here's what happened today.
Up at the crack of dawn this morning to get ready for PT, that's Physical Training. My DI (Drill Instructor) came in my room turning on all the lights and kicking all the trash cans to scare me. Believe it or not, I had to kick my slippers off and put my walking shoes on. Then the DI, I mean physical therapist, made me load up my IV pole with my chest tube containers and march up and down the halls, no rest, no breaks, no snacks and worst of all no naps.
Then it was up to the PT room for steps and stairwell training. It felt like I climbed about 10 stories worth of steps, but was about 14 total if I recall correctly. Still no breaks, rests, snacks or naps. I'm told I need to be able to do steps if I want to go home.
OK, now it's back to my barracks for another physical. The Doc's came in and gave me the once over, again. I had another set of X-rays to check my lungs...they all look good, nothing to report here, keep up the good work. They say I'll be getting out of here if I keep doing what I'm doing...it's just another day in boot camp.
It seems I'm doing well enough they don't need to monitor all my heart and lung blood pressurres, so I can now have my A-Lines removed...that's Arterial Lines for you non-com's, had three of them total. The femoral A-line was removed the second day after surgery. Today they removed the A-lines that were in my neck and wrist...ah, that sure feels better, thank you very much, may I please have another. I now have more freedom and flexibility, makes for easier moving around from my bunk, to the deck, to the latrine.
Hey, how about these chest tubes! The Medical Officers are checking on that now. Oh, still oozing and need to keep them in for a bit longer. OK, guess I'm not in a position to argue that one, we will keep them in for awhile longer. It seems it's smarter to keep them in and help drain the extra fluids out...beats having to reinstall new tubes later...Ouch!
Well it's a good thing I have my Porta-Cath, we'll just access it for the remainder of my IV antibiotics. I've had the "port" for about 8 years now and it's still working well. This is the normal method I use for most of my IV antibiotics for the many "CF Tune Ups" I've had in past years. I'll (hopefully) only use this in the future for antibiotics in the event some infections flare up.
Uh oh, now they say the epidural can come out too...that means I'll have to toughen up a bit and handle the pain with oral medicines. Hey, I can handle that, should be a piece of cake since I've been swallowing pills and capsules since I was 3 years old. I remember taking about 20 pills a day back then...it's up a bit now, around 30 a day, and I'm doing insulin shots on top of it, due to my CF related Diabetes.
Wow, this is nice, feels like I've lost about 80 lbs of gear and attachments, should make it much easier to get around the hallways without all the extra hardware. I should be able to walk further and with quicker times.
Ok, PT's back, now it's time for the treadmill, let's just see what kind of stamina we have now. Hey, not bad, just walked .25 miles in about 18 minutes...that's pretty good, I think. I bet I can do it again, later.
Well, finally, time for some Benedryl and my IV meds...guess I'll take a nap and hopefully my food tray will be delivered jus tbefore I wake up.
Oh, the life of a transplant recruit...hope I get to write home soon! Mom, send more snacks and money so I can wak down to the cafeteria and buy some pretzels.
Over and Out!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Moving to My Private Room
Good news to report!
I worked hard today walking and exercising and my body's healing quite nicely. So as a nice reward for all my efforts I've been granted a room on "the floor" and I'm out of the OU, or Obersvation Unit. Sorry, all of my dear old friends with thoracic issues, but I've got new lungs and I'm going to keep on advancing until I get myself out of this hospital and back home. No hard feelings, but my outlook is "full speed ahead" and I'm not going to look back, at all. I'm moving to Rm 7108 in Queeny Tower.
Since I'm on quaranteen orders I'm fortunate that they will keep me in a room to myself and not be sharing with others. It's nice having the room, I'm actually spoiled from having such nice rooms up on the 13th floor of Quenny Tower. Everyone that enters my room must gown up and wear gloves to protect me. If I leave the room for my walk and exercise I have to wear protection and a mask...don't want to pick up any bad germs.
I've got a phone in my room but I'm normally too tired to talk today, maybe in the next few days I'll have mom get my cell phone and laptop for me. I wear myself out sitting, walking and doing my new arm exercises, sure will be nice when I can do these and have more strength. They tell me the more exercise I do the faster I'll get my renewed strength and I'll be running a 10K in no time. Ha, can't imagine that because I haven't been able to run since baseball season ended in High School. I sure am enjoying these lungs...best thing that has happened to me in a long, long time.
Well, I need another nap, then I'm going to redecorate my room and get it set up just the way I like it. Hmmm, I can't find any graham crackers around here, better hit the "Nurse button."
I worked hard today walking and exercising and my body's healing quite nicely. So as a nice reward for all my efforts I've been granted a room on "the floor" and I'm out of the OU, or Obersvation Unit. Sorry, all of my dear old friends with thoracic issues, but I've got new lungs and I'm going to keep on advancing until I get myself out of this hospital and back home. No hard feelings, but my outlook is "full speed ahead" and I'm not going to look back, at all. I'm moving to Rm 7108 in Queeny Tower.
Since I'm on quaranteen orders I'm fortunate that they will keep me in a room to myself and not be sharing with others. It's nice having the room, I'm actually spoiled from having such nice rooms up on the 13th floor of Quenny Tower. Everyone that enters my room must gown up and wear gloves to protect me. If I leave the room for my walk and exercise I have to wear protection and a mask...don't want to pick up any bad germs.
I've got a phone in my room but I'm normally too tired to talk today, maybe in the next few days I'll have mom get my cell phone and laptop for me. I wear myself out sitting, walking and doing my new arm exercises, sure will be nice when I can do these and have more strength. They tell me the more exercise I do the faster I'll get my renewed strength and I'll be running a 10K in no time. Ha, can't imagine that because I haven't been able to run since baseball season ended in High School. I sure am enjoying these lungs...best thing that has happened to me in a long, long time.
Well, I need another nap, then I'm going to redecorate my room and get it set up just the way I like it. Hmmm, I can't find any graham crackers around here, better hit the "Nurse button."
Little Hiccups
Good Morning World!
I slept great, have my pain managment regiment going well. It is still hard to believe that four days ago I was wondering how I was going to catch my breath between coughing up so much mucus.
I had a a nice breakfast in bed...drank lots of cranberry juice and now I have these annoying little hiccups.
It's so wonderful to breathe...and I'm almost on room air, they plan to wean me off the oxygen today. I think Physical Therapy is coming soon. Hey, gotta go, time to take another 1000' hike on level ground, but looks like they have an obstacle course set up, I see carts, trays, cleaning buckets, and X-ray equiment staged for me to manuever around. No problem, I can get my 5 wheeler IV pole around those with no problem.
Wow, we're actually doing this on room air, no oxygen tank hissing away now. I'm walking a good clip, monitors show I'm Sat'ing about 97% - 98% and have the green light to keep going. Hey, these new lungs are great, I'm going for the land speed record today...that's about .45mph. OK, time to turn around and see if I can make it back without running out of fuel, feels like my gas tank might be low...sure could use some more graham crackers.
Good news! I'm doing so well with my chest tube drainage they are going to remove 2 of my 4 chest tubes. That should be interesting...here's the Dr. now, let you know how that goes in a minute.
Hey, not bad at all, I thought it would be worse than that, but a piece of cake, actually. I have 2 chest tubes close to my belly button that just came out...removed some tape, snipped some sutures and they just slid right out. Oh get this, I was "pre-sutured" and all the Dr. had to do was put a few knots in and my tube wounds are all stiched up now. Once the oozing slows down a bit more I'll get the other 2 tubes removed.
Oh, also talk going on around here about me moving to a regular room, just down the hall. It's been crowded and noisy around the OU...I'm ready to get away from all the commotion and have some privacy...been seeing way to much of everyone, if you know what I mean?
Mom and dad are here now, going to take a break from my routine and see what's going on in the world outside.
Well, good to hear everyone is so excited about my health and are still praying for my recovery. You know, it's so hard for me to believe I had a lung transplant 4 days ago. Hey mom, did you bring my cell phone? Can I have it? Wow, what are all of these messages, HOLY COW! This is crazy, I can't believe it. Mom, did you bring my charger, too?
I'm hungry, would you see if they have any bundles of graham crackers? Oh, would you get me some pretzels, too. Hey dad, would you get me some diet Pepsi, oh and get me another bucket of ice water, this one's empty. Ohhhh, Mom, would you see if they have a potty I can use? OK, got all of that nasty stuff out of the way, now it's time to get in my bed and eat some snacks.
This is awesome, I can't believe so many people have posted on my blog and my Facebook wall.
I'm feeling OK now, just trying to read some of them but really don't have the energy to answer any messages or do much online now...maybe later tomorrow or the next day I'll have a bit more strenght. I need to walk again soon, so better keep some fuel for that. Uh oh, here come's Physical Therapy again, I think they want to see me lifting my arms up over my head and moving them around so I don't get locked in one position, or something like that....Oh, just want to make sure my incissions don't hurt too much and you want me moving my arms to help keep my chest so its not so tight and help my lungs expand, I get it. Oh a one, and two, and three, and four...ouch, that hurts a bit.
I slept great, have my pain managment regiment going well. It is still hard to believe that four days ago I was wondering how I was going to catch my breath between coughing up so much mucus.
I had a a nice breakfast in bed...drank lots of cranberry juice and now I have these annoying little hiccups.
It's so wonderful to breathe...and I'm almost on room air, they plan to wean me off the oxygen today. I think Physical Therapy is coming soon. Hey, gotta go, time to take another 1000' hike on level ground, but looks like they have an obstacle course set up, I see carts, trays, cleaning buckets, and X-ray equiment staged for me to manuever around. No problem, I can get my 5 wheeler IV pole around those with no problem.
Wow, we're actually doing this on room air, no oxygen tank hissing away now. I'm walking a good clip, monitors show I'm Sat'ing about 97% - 98% and have the green light to keep going. Hey, these new lungs are great, I'm going for the land speed record today...that's about .45mph. OK, time to turn around and see if I can make it back without running out of fuel, feels like my gas tank might be low...sure could use some more graham crackers.
Good news! I'm doing so well with my chest tube drainage they are going to remove 2 of my 4 chest tubes. That should be interesting...here's the Dr. now, let you know how that goes in a minute.
Hey, not bad at all, I thought it would be worse than that, but a piece of cake, actually. I have 2 chest tubes close to my belly button that just came out...removed some tape, snipped some sutures and they just slid right out. Oh get this, I was "pre-sutured" and all the Dr. had to do was put a few knots in and my tube wounds are all stiched up now. Once the oozing slows down a bit more I'll get the other 2 tubes removed.
Oh, also talk going on around here about me moving to a regular room, just down the hall. It's been crowded and noisy around the OU...I'm ready to get away from all the commotion and have some privacy...been seeing way to much of everyone, if you know what I mean?
Mom and dad are here now, going to take a break from my routine and see what's going on in the world outside.
Well, good to hear everyone is so excited about my health and are still praying for my recovery. You know, it's so hard for me to believe I had a lung transplant 4 days ago. Hey mom, did you bring my cell phone? Can I have it? Wow, what are all of these messages, HOLY COW! This is crazy, I can't believe it. Mom, did you bring my charger, too?
I'm hungry, would you see if they have any bundles of graham crackers? Oh, would you get me some pretzels, too. Hey dad, would you get me some diet Pepsi, oh and get me another bucket of ice water, this one's empty. Ohhhh, Mom, would you see if they have a potty I can use? OK, got all of that nasty stuff out of the way, now it's time to get in my bed and eat some snacks.
This is awesome, I can't believe so many people have posted on my blog and my Facebook wall.
I'm feeling OK now, just trying to read some of them but really don't have the energy to answer any messages or do much online now...maybe later tomorrow or the next day I'll have a bit more strenght. I need to walk again soon, so better keep some fuel for that. Uh oh, here come's Physical Therapy again, I think they want to see me lifting my arms up over my head and moving them around so I don't get locked in one position, or something like that....Oh, just want to make sure my incissions don't hurt too much and you want me moving my arms to help keep my chest so its not so tight and help my lungs expand, I get it. Oh a one, and two, and three, and four...ouch, that hurts a bit.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Somebody Pinch Me - - -
Wow, am I dreaming or what? It must be the pain medication and the epidural or a combination of both. Will somebody pinch me? I must be dreaming. I'm in and out of it all day...and guess what, just found out I'm not updating my own blog, my dad is. He's trying to help me keep up with what's going on, but I'm so worn out from my walking I'm not seeing straight.
I'm acutally feeling pretty good. You won't believe this but my oxygen sat's have been around 99% - 100% all day on just 2 liters of oxygen and my respiration is around 15 - 20 per minute. Man, I haven't seen numbers like this in years. It feels SO GOOD to breathe.
Oh, something else happened today...I had something in my throat and I actually had a hard time coughing...doesn't that sound funny? Imagine, me having a hard time coughing? Well, I think it has something to do with the epideral and the fact that my chest was recently cut and pried open to remove the old lungs and install the new lungs. It sure was a challenge, but I finally coughed that little annoying "whatever it was" out of my throat. Whew! I'm tired again.
It's 4:00pm and I'm getting very restless...I think I'm going to go for a walk. Hey dad, would you go find out if I can take a walk down the hallways? It's OK...I have clearance from the keepers of the OU to take off. Hey, will somebody help me with all these monitor cables, tubes, IV poles, and oxygen tank? OK, we're all disconnected from the monitors and I have my chest tube containers termporarily mounted on my IV pole and we are MOBILE. Let's go! Hey, guess what, I can push my own IV pole and I'm moving down the hallway. Let's see where this leads...another hallway, let's go right and see where this goes...wow, another hallyway, this hospital is huge....OK, going down this one and we're back were we started.
Overall I just walked another 1000 feet and I feel pretty good, think I'll go for another round. I think I remember where I was, let's go over the same pattern and then it should be time to eat back in my "Open Air" room with 12 other patients. Well, there you have it, another 1000 foot walk, put me down for 3 long walks today. Whew! I'm pooped out and can barely keep my eyes open, but think I will call Brayden and see what he's been up to all day. I could barely talk, I was so tired, think I'll take a mini-nap until my tray arrives.
It's dinner time and I'm going to eat everything on my plate...except the broccoli, yuch!
What's that? Oh, my nurse is going to give me my benedryl before my meds, guess I'm going to take another nap and will hopefully sleep through most of the night while they run my anti-rejection medications. I must be dreaming...can't believe I have such good lungs and can readily breathe again. It feels so good to breathe without coughing...good night!
I'm acutally feeling pretty good. You won't believe this but my oxygen sat's have been around 99% - 100% all day on just 2 liters of oxygen and my respiration is around 15 - 20 per minute. Man, I haven't seen numbers like this in years. It feels SO GOOD to breathe.
Oh, something else happened today...I had something in my throat and I actually had a hard time coughing...doesn't that sound funny? Imagine, me having a hard time coughing? Well, I think it has something to do with the epideral and the fact that my chest was recently cut and pried open to remove the old lungs and install the new lungs. It sure was a challenge, but I finally coughed that little annoying "whatever it was" out of my throat. Whew! I'm tired again.
It's 4:00pm and I'm getting very restless...I think I'm going to go for a walk. Hey dad, would you go find out if I can take a walk down the hallways? It's OK...I have clearance from the keepers of the OU to take off. Hey, will somebody help me with all these monitor cables, tubes, IV poles, and oxygen tank? OK, we're all disconnected from the monitors and I have my chest tube containers termporarily mounted on my IV pole and we are MOBILE. Let's go! Hey, guess what, I can push my own IV pole and I'm moving down the hallway. Let's see where this leads...another hallway, let's go right and see where this goes...wow, another hallyway, this hospital is huge....OK, going down this one and we're back were we started.
Overall I just walked another 1000 feet and I feel pretty good, think I'll go for another round. I think I remember where I was, let's go over the same pattern and then it should be time to eat back in my "Open Air" room with 12 other patients. Well, there you have it, another 1000 foot walk, put me down for 3 long walks today. Whew! I'm pooped out and can barely keep my eyes open, but think I will call Brayden and see what he's been up to all day. I could barely talk, I was so tired, think I'll take a mini-nap until my tray arrives.
It's dinner time and I'm going to eat everything on my plate...except the broccoli, yuch!
What's that? Oh, my nurse is going to give me my benedryl before my meds, guess I'm going to take another nap and will hopefully sleep through most of the night while they run my anti-rejection medications. I must be dreaming...can't believe I have such good lungs and can readily breathe again. It feels so good to breathe without coughing...good night!
It's a Mini Marathon
Here we are on day 3, Saturday I think, and I'm feeling pretty good. I've been sitting up quite a bit and still very uncomfortable in the chest, it must be these 4 big chest tubes in me. It might also be all of the pushing and pulling they did on my chest to get the job done, either way the lungs are working great and I'm breathing just fine.
I took a long walk today, did my first 1000 ft walk, one of the requirments to move on to the next phase. Once my chest tubes have a derease in oozing I'll get these things out and know I will feel much better. I'll keep walking and working to get out of the OU...then off to a regular floor and will continue my rehab therapy.
Stay tuned, I'll let you know if anything else is going on.
Just had a good lunch, seems I can't get enough to eat these days...Hey Nurse! I want more crackers, now! Oops, guess my immuno suppresent drugs are making me a bit cranky. Just a minute, Hey Nurse! I want more cranberry juice deliverd to room 7125, Pronto! Oh my, it seems that Cyclosporine, Prednisone and pain medication has some side affects...sorry for yelling at you, Dad.
I just read about 20-25 Turkey Day cards from all of my co-workers...thanks guys, didn't know you were such great artists, poets, and philosophers...you made my incissions hurt, hope you are happy, now?
I think I'm going to take a nap, I'm feeling kinda.................
I took a long walk today, did my first 1000 ft walk, one of the requirments to move on to the next phase. Once my chest tubes have a derease in oozing I'll get these things out and know I will feel much better. I'll keep walking and working to get out of the OU...then off to a regular floor and will continue my rehab therapy.
Stay tuned, I'll let you know if anything else is going on.
Just had a good lunch, seems I can't get enough to eat these days...Hey Nurse! I want more crackers, now! Oops, guess my immuno suppresent drugs are making me a bit cranky. Just a minute, Hey Nurse! I want more cranberry juice deliverd to room 7125, Pronto! Oh my, it seems that Cyclosporine, Prednisone and pain medication has some side affects...sorry for yelling at you, Dad.
I just read about 20-25 Turkey Day cards from all of my co-workers...thanks guys, didn't know you were such great artists, poets, and philosophers...you made my incissions hurt, hope you are happy, now?
I think I'm going to take a nap, I'm feeling kinda.................
Friday, November 26, 2010
"They Cut My Cough Out"
It's a great day to be alive! This is the 2nd day of my new life, with my new lungs. Ah, it feels great to breathe!
My first night off the sedation medication was not the greatest, I had more pain than I wanted so had some narcotics to help me get through this night. I really don't remember much of yesteday...I know mom and dad and my uncle Neal were in to help me, but I can't remember much more than that. They said I was a bit crabby, but I can't imagine I would do that.
Black Friday, Nov 26, and I spent the first 4 waking hours sitting up in a chair (I would rather be shopping) and enjoying the new breathes of life. Amazing how easy it is to breath. Do you know what's really weird? I don't know how to cough? They cut the cough out of me! I have to cough on a regular basis to help keep my new lungs clear, but I'm not very good at it. It was just 48 hours ago I was coughing so much my back, sides and stomach hurt so much from all the hard coughing...what a contrast.
Mom and dad showed up this morning while the nurses were disconnecting most of my IV's, arterial tubes, and other unmentionable tubes so they could get me ready to transport me to the Observation Unit (OU). I'm ready to bust out of the ICU...not that it's a bad place, but I want to get up, get walking and get these damn chest tubes out....they really hurt!
It's 2pm and we've got everything loaded up on my bed and ready to move to OU. Let's get going!
OK, made it to OU and I'm hungry...whats for lunch, I've been eating liquids and jello WAY to long.
There's talk about taking a walk, let's go I want to get out of here, too! OK, now we're talking...therapy is here, let's pack up and get walking. OK, I need help....dad and uncle Neal, you guys handle the tubes, IV poles and I'll take a hike. Hmmmm, let's go about 50 ft and see how that feels. Hey, not bad! OK let's go about another 50 ft....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, it feels so good to walk around. OK, let's turn around and go back.
Officially, it was 180 ft on my 2nd day after sugery...I'm ready for more food, what do we have?
Ummmmmm, a huge plate of spagehtti, brownies, bread, and juice. That's the best food I've ever tasted.
OK, let's get back in bed because I'm getting really tired and want to take a nap. Holy cow, it's already 6pm, where did the day go.
Hey, this tranpslant thing's not so tough after all....think I'll just lay back and enjoy breathing without coughing. Hey, my sides and stomack barely move when I'm breathing...that's weird. Guess I'll just have to enjoy breathing without buring up all my calories. Hmmmmmm, no nebs, no chest therapy, no beating on my fronts and back, no spitting up cups of mucus, this is sweet! I can get used to this, real quick.
You all enjoy my pic's... the WiFi network around here's hard to connect to and once you do the speeds are very slow, so I'll see if I can get back to you tomorrow.
Oh, here's a good website that might answer a lot of your questions: http://www.barnesjewish.org/lung-transplant-faq
Good night everyone...and thanks to everyone for all the prayers, messages and good wishes. It's been a great Thanksgiving for all of us.
Adam
My first night off the sedation medication was not the greatest, I had more pain than I wanted so had some narcotics to help me get through this night. I really don't remember much of yesteday...I know mom and dad and my uncle Neal were in to help me, but I can't remember much more than that. They said I was a bit crabby, but I can't imagine I would do that.
Black Friday, Nov 26, and I spent the first 4 waking hours sitting up in a chair (I would rather be shopping) and enjoying the new breathes of life. Amazing how easy it is to breath. Do you know what's really weird? I don't know how to cough? They cut the cough out of me! I have to cough on a regular basis to help keep my new lungs clear, but I'm not very good at it. It was just 48 hours ago I was coughing so much my back, sides and stomach hurt so much from all the hard coughing...what a contrast.
Mom and dad showed up this morning while the nurses were disconnecting most of my IV's, arterial tubes, and other unmentionable tubes so they could get me ready to transport me to the Observation Unit (OU). I'm ready to bust out of the ICU...not that it's a bad place, but I want to get up, get walking and get these damn chest tubes out....they really hurt!
It's 2pm and we've got everything loaded up on my bed and ready to move to OU. Let's get going!
OK, made it to OU and I'm hungry...whats for lunch, I've been eating liquids and jello WAY to long.
There's talk about taking a walk, let's go I want to get out of here, too! OK, now we're talking...therapy is here, let's pack up and get walking. OK, I need help....dad and uncle Neal, you guys handle the tubes, IV poles and I'll take a hike. Hmmmm, let's go about 50 ft and see how that feels. Hey, not bad! OK let's go about another 50 ft....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, it feels so good to walk around. OK, let's turn around and go back.
Officially, it was 180 ft on my 2nd day after sugery...I'm ready for more food, what do we have?
Ummmmmm, a huge plate of spagehtti, brownies, bread, and juice. That's the best food I've ever tasted.
OK, let's get back in bed because I'm getting really tired and want to take a nap. Holy cow, it's already 6pm, where did the day go.
Hey, this tranpslant thing's not so tough after all....think I'll just lay back and enjoy breathing without coughing. Hey, my sides and stomack barely move when I'm breathing...that's weird. Guess I'll just have to enjoy breathing without buring up all my calories. Hmmmmmm, no nebs, no chest therapy, no beating on my fronts and back, no spitting up cups of mucus, this is sweet! I can get used to this, real quick.
You all enjoy my pic's... the WiFi network around here's hard to connect to and once you do the speeds are very slow, so I'll see if I can get back to you tomorrow.
Oh, here's a good website that might answer a lot of your questions: http://www.barnesjewish.org/lung-transplant-faq
Good night everyone...and thanks to everyone for all the prayers, messages and good wishes. It's been a great Thanksgiving for all of us.
Adam
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Post Operative Recovery
Adam was sedated and rested well all last night.
Around 10:00am this morning his sedation was reduced and finally stopped. He opened his eyes to see his parents, Dane and Joanne, waiting for him in his room. He was quite groggy for awhile and asked, "How long did the surgery take?" about 12 times. The surgery took just a little over 3 hours as everything went extremely well, no transfusions were needed, no packing, no heart by-pass...just great progress for all in the process.
It was truly a miracle to have been "Active" on the list for just over 20 hours and end up with new lungs in an almost record time by the Transplant Team. Great job Barnes Lung Transplant Team!
Around Noon today respiratory therapy removed his breathing tube and took him off the ventilator. He did very well with just a few coughs and was breathing on his own with his new lungs.
It was around this time he started to complain about pain in his incision areas and his epidural med's were increased and he was given a PCA button to help manage his pain. He soon felt much better and was asking for ice chips.
It was around 2:00pm when his nurse removed his femoral arterial line and also removed his leggings to allow him some movement in his bed. He was asking for juice, water and more ice ships. It was the best Juice he's ever tasted!
Around 4:00pm Adam was on the phone calling his nurses on 13100 and telling them he was doing just fine and wanted to know when they were going to visit. He also started using his respiratory machine and was exercising his new lungs by inflating them to maximum amounts 10 times per hour...of course he asked for more pain medication.
6:00pm the plan is to remove additional arterial monitoring lines and to get him sitting up in bed and to move over and sit in the comfortable chair in his room. It's time to get him up and moving around to be sure his lungs fully expand and he doesn't have any issues with pneumonia or give the lungs any chance to act up.
His spirits are great, he's feeling very happy and is trying to use his humor to create a fun environment in the ICU...he's Adam with a whole lot of breath and energy...plan to see him walking around the floor in the next few days. He's now asking about Brayden and is thinking about playing soccer and running around the playground with his son and his new set of lungs. Adam has a great outlook and will accomplish a lot of the many things he has not been able to do for many years.
Please continue to pray for his healing and continued success as he now faces new challenges involving possible infections and the always present organ rejection issues so commonly associated with any organ transplant.
Stay Tuned.
The Transplant Blogger.
Around 10:00am this morning his sedation was reduced and finally stopped. He opened his eyes to see his parents, Dane and Joanne, waiting for him in his room. He was quite groggy for awhile and asked, "How long did the surgery take?" about 12 times. The surgery took just a little over 3 hours as everything went extremely well, no transfusions were needed, no packing, no heart by-pass...just great progress for all in the process.
It was truly a miracle to have been "Active" on the list for just over 20 hours and end up with new lungs in an almost record time by the Transplant Team. Great job Barnes Lung Transplant Team!
Around Noon today respiratory therapy removed his breathing tube and took him off the ventilator. He did very well with just a few coughs and was breathing on his own with his new lungs.
It was around this time he started to complain about pain in his incision areas and his epidural med's were increased and he was given a PCA button to help manage his pain. He soon felt much better and was asking for ice chips.
It was around 2:00pm when his nurse removed his femoral arterial line and also removed his leggings to allow him some movement in his bed. He was asking for juice, water and more ice ships. It was the best Juice he's ever tasted!
Around 4:00pm Adam was on the phone calling his nurses on 13100 and telling them he was doing just fine and wanted to know when they were going to visit. He also started using his respiratory machine and was exercising his new lungs by inflating them to maximum amounts 10 times per hour...of course he asked for more pain medication.
6:00pm the plan is to remove additional arterial monitoring lines and to get him sitting up in bed and to move over and sit in the comfortable chair in his room. It's time to get him up and moving around to be sure his lungs fully expand and he doesn't have any issues with pneumonia or give the lungs any chance to act up.
His spirits are great, he's feeling very happy and is trying to use his humor to create a fun environment in the ICU...he's Adam with a whole lot of breath and energy...plan to see him walking around the floor in the next few days. He's now asking about Brayden and is thinking about playing soccer and running around the playground with his son and his new set of lungs. Adam has a great outlook and will accomplish a lot of the many things he has not been able to do for many years.
Please continue to pray for his healing and continued success as he now faces new challenges involving possible infections and the always present organ rejection issues so commonly associated with any organ transplant.
Stay Tuned.
The Transplant Blogger.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Transplant is Successful
As of 9:00pm the double lung transplant procedure is completed.
The surgeons are closing him up and he'll be sent to the ICU around 10:00pm and we will be able to see him. He will be sedated for the night and will be awakened in the morning to start the recovery process.
Visitation will be limited to immediately family in order to limit exposure to infections as his immune system must be suppressed to prevent donor rejection.
More information will follow as it becomes available.
Thanks for all of you thoughts and prayers.
This is a special Thanksgiving gift to all of us.
God Bless!
The surgeons are closing him up and he'll be sent to the ICU around 10:00pm and we will be able to see him. He will be sedated for the night and will be awakened in the morning to start the recovery process.
Visitation will be limited to immediately family in order to limit exposure to infections as his immune system must be suppressed to prevent donor rejection.
More information will follow as it becomes available.
Thanks for all of you thoughts and prayers.
This is a special Thanksgiving gift to all of us.
God Bless!
Transplant Update
As of 8:00pm tonight...the final old lung removed and new one being stitched in as we speak.
Everything is going well, no heart by-pass machine required, he's holding up on his own very well. The OR Nurse said things are moving along very well and is hoping in another 2-3 hours to wrap up surgery.
Upon completion of the surgery he will be moved to the 5th Floor ICU for observation. The process normally involves getting him up as soon as possible and then removing the breathing tube and letting the lungs breath on their own. This period can take from as little as 10-12 hours and as long as several days. Once breathing on his own they will have him sitting up and moving to the side of the bed. They want him to be up and walking around as soon as possible to be sure the lungs are fully inflated and to ensure pneumonia does not have a chance to settle in.
The next 3 months of post operative recovery will include "Daily" trips to Barnes hospital for pulmonary rehab, exercising, testing and observation of the incision cite and any infections or rejection signs or symptoms.
Stay tuned.
Everything is going well, no heart by-pass machine required, he's holding up on his own very well. The OR Nurse said things are moving along very well and is hoping in another 2-3 hours to wrap up surgery.
Upon completion of the surgery he will be moved to the 5th Floor ICU for observation. The process normally involves getting him up as soon as possible and then removing the breathing tube and letting the lungs breath on their own. This period can take from as little as 10-12 hours and as long as several days. Once breathing on his own they will have him sitting up and moving to the side of the bed. They want him to be up and walking around as soon as possible to be sure the lungs are fully inflated and to ensure pneumonia does not have a chance to settle in.
The next 3 months of post operative recovery will include "Daily" trips to Barnes hospital for pulmonary rehab, exercising, testing and observation of the incision cite and any infections or rejection signs or symptoms.
Stay tuned.
It's Happening!
At 6:30am, this morning, Adam was awakened by the nurses and told there was a possible donor match. The process of preparing for the transplant started with blood work, X-rays, and all vital signs. At 8:00am we were told of a possible Noon Operating Room schedule. A bit later in time the Transplant team advised of a delay and stated possibly a 2:00pm Operation Room schedule was in place. The Transplant Team transferred Adam from his hospital room to the Operating Room prep area around 2pm to find out that the time had been pushed out to 4:00pm.
Around 4:00pm the Dr.'s started prepping Adam with IV's and epidural...and he was told that a matched pair of lungs was enroute. He had the biggest smile on his face and was just glowing with enthusiasm and excited to get his new lungs, and new life.
He was wheeled off to the OR around 4:30pm. The new lungs arrived around 6:00pm and surgery had begun to remove his old diseased lungs and replace them with the new donor lungs.
At 7:00pm we are advised that one old lung was removed and the first donor lung was being attached at that time. The OR nurse is providing us with hourly updates and we will try to post them here for you.
All of this would not be possible if it were not for the courage of the donor family...we are so grateful and thankful to them for their wonderful contribution. We want to convey our condolences to you and will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Having lost our youngest son, Jacob, 4 years ago we completely understand the pain and emotions that you are going through at this time.
Sincerely,
Dane & Joanne Brockmiller
Around 4:00pm the Dr.'s started prepping Adam with IV's and epidural...and he was told that a matched pair of lungs was enroute. He had the biggest smile on his face and was just glowing with enthusiasm and excited to get his new lungs, and new life.
He was wheeled off to the OR around 4:30pm. The new lungs arrived around 6:00pm and surgery had begun to remove his old diseased lungs and replace them with the new donor lungs.
At 7:00pm we are advised that one old lung was removed and the first donor lung was being attached at that time. The OR nurse is providing us with hourly updates and we will try to post them here for you.
All of this would not be possible if it were not for the courage of the donor family...we are so grateful and thankful to them for their wonderful contribution. We want to convey our condolences to you and will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Having lost our youngest son, Jacob, 4 years ago we completely understand the pain and emotions that you are going through at this time.
Sincerely,
Dane & Joanne Brockmiller
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
I'm Active!!!!
Yeah! I am officially active on the transplant list. This means that if lungs become available I could be eligible for them!
The lung transplant has a criteria to be in order to receive lungs. The major factors are LAS(lung allocation score), height and blood type and antibodies present. Inside of the LAS are a lot of variables that can change at any point. Some may raise your score while others will lower. The main factor is blood type, can't match wrong blood types!
I'm excited, I'm ready for new lungs. I am improving in the hospital I walked for 30minutes today instead of just 10 minutes. I hope to be out of here and back to the house before too long.
I am also thankful to be on the list, and realize that anothers persons tradgedy will be my miracle and quite possibly the greatest gift one could give.
The lung transplant has a criteria to be in order to receive lungs. The major factors are LAS(lung allocation score), height and blood type and antibodies present. Inside of the LAS are a lot of variables that can change at any point. Some may raise your score while others will lower. The main factor is blood type, can't match wrong blood types!
I'm excited, I'm ready for new lungs. I am improving in the hospital I walked for 30minutes today instead of just 10 minutes. I hope to be out of here and back to the house before too long.
I am also thankful to be on the list, and realize that anothers persons tradgedy will be my miracle and quite possibly the greatest gift one could give.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Slight background
Welcome, I am using this blog to keep people updated on the health status of me and the journey for me along the way of transplant.
I was admitted to Barnes on the 23rd of October and was not discharged till the 10th of November! The time period allowed for the longest hospitalization of my adult CF journey. During this stay it was realized that double lung transplant was probably the most viable option to getting better. I ended up spending 36 hours in the ICU and was put on continuous bi-pap machine, now which I only use to sleep with. I was worked up by the transplant team and decided I wanted to do transplant.
One week after being discharged and spending some time in Joplin wrapping things up I am back in the hospital (admitted 11/19/10) and trying to get things aligned so that people can keep updated with me.
ARB
I was admitted to Barnes on the 23rd of October and was not discharged till the 10th of November! The time period allowed for the longest hospitalization of my adult CF journey. During this stay it was realized that double lung transplant was probably the most viable option to getting better. I ended up spending 36 hours in the ICU and was put on continuous bi-pap machine, now which I only use to sleep with. I was worked up by the transplant team and decided I wanted to do transplant.
One week after being discharged and spending some time in Joplin wrapping things up I am back in the hospital (admitted 11/19/10) and trying to get things aligned so that people can keep updated with me.
ARB
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