September started out as a really sad time for me with my dear, dear friend Linda's passing.
I think Alan, my husband, and Cheryl got together and planned a day for them to visit us and hopefully cheer me up. Cheryl and Brickie come from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia and she is waiting for a lung transplant too. Although, she has been here a lot longer than me.
So on Sunday of Labor Day Week-end, over they came. We visited for awhile and decided to go shopping for bras. Apparently, we can't wear regular bras after surgery because the stitches run along where the bra lands.We need special ones with no wire, elastic or bands She came equipped with a Warner bra number and off we went. First we arrived a Wal-Mart, remember now it's Sunday just 2 days before the kids so back to school. The boys dropped us off at the door and went to park. We proceeded in and there was no shopping carts and we needed these to lean on cause we didn't bring our walkers. SHIT this is when WE remembered it was the holiday week-end. Finally, the Wal-Mart greeter found us a cart. haha In went her oxygen tank and then mine and we both were short of breath all ready, so we just leaned and pushed. Too bad we didn't have a camera, I think it would've made a funny pic. We didn't find any bras there, Alan came running in to tell us that they couldn't find a parking spot, so we left.
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| if she sees this she will kill me so shhhh! |
Our next spot was The Bay, Cheryl was sure they had them. So off we traipsed and guess what she found them. Unfortunately, I was the only one buying them, they didn't come in her size.( lol one up for small- breasted women)
Back home we feasted on Alan's famous lasagne (it's delious) When we were stuffed and heading back to the living room. Cheryl's cell phone started ringing and her then her beeper started beeping. Oh my God! it has to be her lungs, sure enough. Luckily she had until 11pm to get to the hospital, lungs must not be there yet. She was shaking, I was screaming. How exciting is that!
Cheryl received her new lungs after midnight so it's officially on my birthday. What a story and what a birthday present! Certainly, a much happier story.
Over the next ten days I had lots of tests and appointments. Starting on the sixth, we had to make a extra trip to the hospital. I had a clinic appointment (which is something like a doctor appointment but sometimes we see respirologists and other times we see nurse-practitioners) This time I saw Susan ( nurse-practitioner), she listened to my lungs and started me back on antibiotics, I have another infection in my lungs.
On Wednesday the 7th, I did blood-work first, then onto an appointment with Dr. Rotstein. My liver counts are starting to come down but very slowly. Still staying off the T.B. meds. Next onto 1 1/2 hrs of physio.Then home to a well-deserved nap.
Monday the 12th found me feeling much better, antibiotics kicked in over the week-end. First we did my physio for 1 1/2 ( I say we because my husband is also there with me, filling out my chart, cheering me on, getting my weights, sterilizing my machines.) We are a team! ♥♥♥ I love him more and more everyday. Next we went down to floor 10 to see Cheryl who is now in the first step-down ICU and doing fantastic! Later down in the lobby we saw Bill Hocken bringing back Linda's walker he looked so sad and broken, it broke my heart. While talking to Bill the Wheel-Trans arrived and we had to leave. Back home, I realized that I left behind my Sony E-Reader at the hospital, it was my Christmas gift from Alan last year. He figured that it would be a lot easier to take it than move a bunch of boxes of books to Toronto. Oh well, maybe some nice person will turn it into the desk. lol
Wednesday the 14th. No such luck with the e-reader, I hope the next person enjoys it as much as I did. Today I had to do blood work for Dr. Binny (respirologist). Then on to physio. Next I had my P.F.T.'s. The results are my lung capacity is at 16% same as last January. Good news, I haven't gotten any worse!
Well thanks for reading, love yas!
Over the next ten days I had lots of tests and appointments. Starting on the sixth, we had to make a extra trip to the hospital. I had a clinic appointment (which is something like a doctor appointment but sometimes we see respirologists and other times we see nurse-practitioners) This time I saw Susan ( nurse-practitioner), she listened to my lungs and started me back on antibiotics, I have another infection in my lungs.
On Wednesday the 7th, I did blood-work first, then onto an appointment with Dr. Rotstein. My liver counts are starting to come down but very slowly. Still staying off the T.B. meds. Next onto 1 1/2 hrs of physio.Then home to a well-deserved nap.
Monday the 12th found me feeling much better, antibiotics kicked in over the week-end. First we did my physio for 1 1/2 ( I say we because my husband is also there with me, filling out my chart, cheering me on, getting my weights, sterilizing my machines.) We are a team! ♥♥♥ I love him more and more everyday. Next we went down to floor 10 to see Cheryl who is now in the first step-down ICU and doing fantastic! Later down in the lobby we saw Bill Hocken bringing back Linda's walker he looked so sad and broken, it broke my heart. While talking to Bill the Wheel-Trans arrived and we had to leave. Back home, I realized that I left behind my Sony E-Reader at the hospital, it was my Christmas gift from Alan last year. He figured that it would be a lot easier to take it than move a bunch of boxes of books to Toronto. Oh well, maybe some nice person will turn it into the desk. lol
Wednesday the 14th. No such luck with the e-reader, I hope the next person enjoys it as much as I did. Today I had to do blood work for Dr. Binny (respirologist). Then on to physio. Next I had my P.F.T.'s. The results are my lung capacity is at 16% same as last January. Good news, I haven't gotten any worse!
Well thanks for reading, love yas!
Thank you for writing down your journey. This is truely a life altering experience for you and Alan. Although you have the misfortune to have COPD, you are very fortunate to have your best friend always at your side. I wish the best for both of you.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Edith, he has been my savior for keeping me sane that's for sure! Thank-you for reading and all your kind words.
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