CF gone????

Many have asked if the lung transplant cures CF. The answer is no but here is the description from the CFF.


Once the person has received a lung transplant, does CF "go away?"
Transplanted lungs come from people who do not have CF, so the new lungs do not have CF. However, after the transplant, the recipient still has CF in the sinuses, pancreas, intestines, sweat glands, and reproductive tract. The new lungs do not “get” CF, but immunosuppressive drugs may decrease the ability to fight germs like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia ). These germs may stay in the upper airways after a transplant and can infect the new lungs. The risks of infection are highest right after the transplant operation when immunosuppressive drugs are given at the highest doses so the body will not reject the new lungs. However, these drugs also make it hard for the body to fight infections, which can lead to lung disease.
Taken from http://www.cff.org/treatments/LungTransplantation


So what does this mean?? I don't have my therapy vest or any of my breathing treatments, inhalers, oxygen, or bi-pap machine. This frees up several hours a day for me and allows me to pack a lot lighter and keep less amounts of medicine on board. It means new medicines, I now have to take about 6 new medicines in pill form to cover my immunosuppressive drugs and antivirals. I still have to take insulin and all my pills with meals to help digest my food.

Good news of the weekend? I saw Brayden, for the first time in 3-weeks, and we had a great visit. I walked outside one day for a little and did some hills. Today was too darn cold to do anything outside, so I took pictures of Brayden playing with Grandpa in the snow.

I was able to sleep (in small amounts) on my side again, giving my back a slight break.

I saw an old friend while taking Brayden (not me driving yet) back to his mom.


Things coming up this week:

My first Bronchoscopy... they are going to make sure the lungs are healing up properly on the inside and takes some biopsies of the lung to make sure there are no signs of rejection.

I have 2 x-rays, 2 lab draws, another PFT (pulmonary function test) and pulmonary rehab. At the end of last week I was walking 1.5 miles in a day. Have to see what happens this week!!!

Oh yea, received my shipment of cookies and pretzels, ummm ummmmm, good!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

AB