Day 118

     Finally, I think I'm turning the corner. It has been 3 good days. Energy level is getting better, the right side is responding better and getting stronger. I've reached, and sometimes exceeded, my weight goal of 175 lbs. Now I see light at the end of the tunnel. It's been a long time coming.
    We had a great weekend in Orlando with my sister and her husband, Thanks. Stayed at the hotel all weekend and rested poolside, etc. I even got permission to go swimming from the doctor. They had a lazy river that I help live up to it's name. We ate a lot! It was grand opening of Harry Potter at Universal, so Orlando and the hotel was very crowded.
    Before I left Friday, I went to have lab work done at the hospital and true to form had meds changed again. Because of the antibiotics for the fungus my Prograf (anti-rejection medicine) level was sky high, so I was told to stop taking the Prograf for 2 days and come in for lab work on Monday. Well Monday's results were high still, so I was to stop taking Prograf for another 2 days and then begin 1mg per day. That's down from 8mg or 8 pills per day. The Prograf make you real jittery and causes tremors and you get lightheaded. Back for labs on Monday.
     It's hot, mid 90's, but no oil on the beaches. We are maintaining.
Thanks for listening.

Day 111

Hi. Well, I guess I'm not invincible like I thought. Had some swelling all along the incision, so I called my Transplant Coordinator who called the doctor who said come in Monday. So I went to the hospital Monday and he said that the wound was fine and that I probably tore scar tissue inside when I carried the 2 cases of water into the house from the car. Then he proceeds to tell me that they learned from the last biopsy that I had a fungus growing in my lungs. He didn't seem really concerned and he put me on a 90 day antibiotic treatment. I have to go back tomorrow to have blood drawn for lab work because this antibiotic is tough on the kidneys. They have to reduce the anti-rejection medicine Prograf, because it is also tough on the kidneys. Wow, what a balancing act. Now you know something like this wreaks havoc with your mind. I feel good, albeit still low energy. I have a little bit of a cough, but feeling good. Sleep is an issue once more, can't get more than 2 hours of sleep before I wake up and start thinking.
   My Dad came down this week. We had lunch yesterday. He looks good. My sister, Chris and her husband Andy invited us to meet them in Orlando for the weekend. Chris has had health issues recently so I haven't seen her for quite some time. Thank God she seems to be back to good health. It should be a great weekend. Oh, we're also going to see Andy's brother Matt and his wife Joanne. Matt and I actually went to high school together and started a fence company, (short lived), while in high school.
  I asked the doctor when am I really going to see a vast improvement in my ability to do things or is this as good as it gets? Remember they said at 3 months I would feel 20 years younger. Didn't happen, I feel good and I don't have to use oxygen, but not 20 years younger. Anyway, he said because I had the stroke, my rehab has been slowed. He said I will definitely see a great improvement at 6 months and then even more at 1 year. I hope so. This is really frustrating. Everything I do is a struggle. I know it could be a lot worse!
   Enough boo hooing, I am really thankful for everything. Every once in a while the mind goes to a dark place. Thanks to everyone for their love and support. Thanks to everyone who ordered cookbooks. Especially, thanks to everyone for their donations.
   Now, go out and do something good for someone today.

Day 104

           I know it hasn't been a week since my last post. Good news, I got a call with results from Tuesday's biopsy and clinic. Biopsy came back negative. No rejection and no infection. Lab work came back great all levels are good and kidney function is good. They also cut back on some of  my steroids from 20 mg per day to 15 mg per day. The goal is by the end of the first year to have these steroids down to 5 mg per day. I also asked if they thought that I would be able to stop the insulin injections at some point. The answer was an educated yes. Oh, and now clinic will be once a month instead of every two weeks. Yeah!
         I started walking again, after getting scolded at the hospital on Tuesday. Somewhere around 2 miles per day. I'm over the 7 to 10 mile walks. Remember it's mid 90 degrees here.
        These are the reports that I like to hear. It shows real progress and it lifts the spirits. Have a great day.

Day 102

     Had my lung biopsy this morning. Had to be at the hospital at 6 a.m., and Lovely Linda had to drive me. She also picked me up afterwards at 12:00. This was a rough procedure. Not sure why, but while waiting for Linda I felt like I was going to pass out and felt nausea as well. Came home and slept until 4:30. Feeling better. I was told that I need to exercise more, that is the only way to build the stamina. Okay, I already knew that but I guess I've been lazy. Going to look into a low cost gym in my area.
     Thanks to Linda's push,  I've begun trying to give back in my own small way for this gift of life. I am getting re-involved in a website called Transplant Buddies. When I was searching for information, this was a great resource. It is a web site that people that have had transplants can share their stories. It is also an area where people who are diagnosed with ailments and may be in need of a transplant can go and ask questions and get more information about the process. That was something that I felt was needed, a place to get specific information. Not just medical information from doctors and hospitals, but actually experience information from someone who has gone through it. It is a scary prospect learning that the only way to get back some quality of life and continue living is to have an organ transplant. Who'd a thunk it? Something like this that usually happens to the other guy actually is happening to me.
    I've been discussing moving with Linda. It is too much to try and keep up this house and we need to cut expenses, so we are thinking condo. We have to stay close to here for Lin's job, which enables us to get health insurance albeit expensive. I also need to stay close to the hospital, which seems like my second home. I visit every 2 weeks. Anyway, we'll see.
    Most importantly, I'm feeling good. Wow, can you believe no complaints from me? I've got a lot of ideas in my head about other ways to continue this journey and to contribute to society. Don't just go through life, let's participate. There is a lot of anger out there, especially now with the economy, the Gulf crisis and other world events. Let's start showing more compassion in our little world and watch it spread. It could turn into an epidemic, a good one. Take care.