Life in the Transplant Lane

Just for anyone out there, who thinks life is over for us here in Toronto. Buckle in and I'll tell you about just one of our weeks.

The last couple of weeks of September just flew by starting with my best friend Gerri receiving her lungs on the 15th.  While she was in surgery I was upstairs in the physio room, physio seemed so empty this week, as well it should because most of my morning class got done this month. More new faces arriving every day. Once physio was over we caught a cab over to the Western Hospital for my second Hepatitis shot. Then back to the General just in time to catch our Wheel Trans ride back to the apartment.

On the 17th we made a special trip down to the hospital to visit with Gerri.This is the first time we were in the Transplant I.C.U. I'll be honest,  it's a very scary spot. When we first seen Gerri she was already sitting up in her bed, but she had one hell of  a lot of tubes, coming out all over her. Luckily for me the ventilator was already removed, thank God that thing scares the "be jesus" out of me, but she was breathing really well and it was removed early.  She was able to talk but her voice was quite horse. The transplant I.C.U. each patient has around the clock nurse who stays with them. One patient one nurse. Providing there is no complications her stay there will be 3-4 days.

On Monday the 19th. First I did my 1 1/2 hours of physio, then we went down to the 10 th floor ICU to find out Gerri was moved to the first step-down. In this ICU the only difference is that there is two patients to one nurse. When we found her she was looking pretty good, less tubes and talking up a storm haha that's my girl. Next, I had an appointment  at the Western Hospital with my family doctor that I decided to cancel.  I'm exhausted and  my head is pounding. I actually fell asleep in the wheel -trans  going home, and that is a first for me.

Wednesday the 21th, first I did my blood work for my appointment with Dr. Rotstein tomorrow. Then on to physio for 1 1/2 hrs. of exercise. Next on to our weekly support meeting.(place to go to vent or tell beautiful stories of people who have come through this with great results, twice a month they bring in speakers to explain what their job is on the transplant team or people who are post transplant for numerous years ect.)  Then on to lunch with treadmill room friends.  At 1:00  it's on to clinic with Dr. Marco Mura ( respirologist).  I felt like my past infection hasn't completely cleared up. So he gave me a medication which is put into juice or pop (Pepsi) and it will induce coughing to help clear the lungs and bronchial tubes of any crap left there from infection. Catch our Wheel-Trans van for home.

Thursday, the 22th. First was the appointment with Dr. Rotstein, who sees my liver counts are almost back to normal. but he is very worried why it is taking so long. So he wants to order a ct-scan of the liver, for me but I let him know that I have one for my lungs scheduled for next week. So he will add the liver onto that scan and it can be done all at once. He is the most wonderful doctor in the world, he knows something is wrong and he won't stop until he finds it. His mind is like a steel trap he doesn't forget anything, he comes over to talk whenever he sees us in the lobby.  haha After all this I want to take him home with me!  Next onto physio for my regular exercise routine.  Then a quick trip down to see Gerri, she is a trooper, always full of laughs. Down to the Food Court for lunch with the gang. At 1:00pm, I did my 3month electrocardiogram (just routine check on the heart) and then off for home.

How's that for a week. Not much time for boredom. This is also not counting all the beautiful friends we have made in our apartment complex, who stop in for afternoon tea and such. I count my blessings everyday how fortunate I am to be here. I am so well taken care of. Missing our family and friends back home is a problem we have to deal with. However, with my health, I am in the right place.

NOTE 
Dear friend of ours Barb Ramsey has been put in the hospital today. She is on her last unless a set of lungs that match her comes in very, very soon.  Praying for you Barb and Bruce!