Thursday, October 30, 2014

AT A LOSS FOR WORDS!

I haven't written in quite some time. For the first time since I started this Blog about Interstitial Cystitis, I have found it difficult to write. When battling IC and Volunteering as a Patient Advocate, I felt motivated and easy to find topics about which I wanted to write.

Since being diagnosed with Idiopathic Bronchiolitis Obliterans last February, and being told I needed a Lung Transplant, it has become harder and harder for me to find topics to write about without sounding like all I was doing was whining.

This is a journey unlike any other. I know there are others out there who are transplant patients that can relate. Much like when I Blogged about IC, other IC patients could relate. There are many people struggling with multiple serious and life threatening conditions. So I don't want to just write about how miserable I am. But I find it difficult and so I don't write.

I must go to Rehab every Tuesday and Thursday until I get my transplant. It's rough and I come home from each class feeling like I was hit by a truck. There are never ending appointments and tests to be done and getting anywhere takes a village with all the portable oxygen I need to take with me and the need for a wheel chair.  It's exhausting.

Now I got a call that I have to have another Angiogram in November. It's a UNOS requirement that certain tests be repeated (if they have not already done so) every six months. So it's already time to repeat this test. Let's get that done and over with as soon as possible. I can't believe it's that time already!

I'm told my Lung Allocation Score is good and the UNOS system is "looking" at me all the time but just hasn't found a match. The Transplant Team feels good it will come. I like their confidence because the longer I go without getting the call, the harder it is to feel confident. But I want to, so I try. Some days are better than others.

Emotions are all over the map, but they tell me I wouldn't be normal if that wasn't the case.

I have been at a loss for words.

I am doing everything they throw at me in order to get my Transplant. So let's get that Angiogram done. Got my flu shot today, Rehab Thursday today. Taking my meds as I am supposed to etc. Being the best compliant patient one can be!

I feel at a loss for words beyond expressing the same thing all the time. This is hard. One day at a time is all I can do.




Sunday, October 12, 2014

SUNDAY'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE & SONG FOR THE DAY!


As I wait for the call to come, I am constantly struggling to keep hope alive, so that's why I chose today's Inspirational Quote.

"Shine the Light" - Sugarland





Saturday, October 11, 2014

I'M TIRED!

I'm tired. Physically tired for so many reasons. I don't sleep many nights from side effects of medications. This disease is exhausting; just trying to do anything leaves me gasping for air even wearing my oxygen and with it turned up. 

I'm tired. Mentally tired of battling the never ending fight of trying to staying positive that I will get my transplant in time. My Transplant Social Worker tells me this is perfectly normal and I shouldn't beat myself up for not feeling positive every minute of every day.

I'm tired. Tired of waiting for the call to come that never comes. Every time the phone rings my heart skips a beat and it's never the call. On the one hand time seems to have come to a complete standstill, while on the other I am rapidly approaching the one year mark when I came down with this awful, life threatening disease. How did THAT happen!

I'm tired. Tired of the never ending trek to Rehab twice every week until I get my transplant. Of course it's necessary and so I go. But it's exhausting and I come home each time feeling as if I was just hit by a truck.

I'm tired. Tired of the never ending doctor appointments and tests, being poked and prodded.

I'm tired. Even if I had a "good" night and actually slept, I get up, get dressed, have breakfast and seemingly minutes after that I find myself falling asleep and fighting it all day long. When I want to sleep I can't, and when I want to stay awake, I can't. So I'm tired.

I could go on but I'm sure I've made my point. I'm tired. I don't want to sound like a whiner; there a lot of people struggling with many different diseases who are fighting every day much the same as I am. I am blessed with a wonderful and supportive family. I am grateful for that.

But I'm tired. I no longer remember what it felt like to be well; to take breathing for granted. I'm tired.








Monday, October 6, 2014

HOW IT FEELS!

Today I had an appointment with my Transplant Doctor. He is encouraging that my transplant is coming, although as doctors do, it's always tempered with the warnings of "but you never know". I believe him; he has to be right. 

He answered all my questions. One lung not two. Left is first choice but they could do the right depending on circumstances. I don't care, just so long as I get one!

After that appointment I had to call my regular Pulmonologist to refill a prescription and I had some questions about oxygen so I asked to speak with his Respiratory Therapist who was kind enough to take the time to talk to me. After answering my questions, he made some very key points I wanted to share.

He explained that it's AIR that is not passing through my lungs properly, making it very difficult for me to breathe. I have been unable to describe what this feels like. He told me to tell people if they want to know what it feels like for me to breathe, try one of the following:

1. Layer 2-3 hand towels and cover your nose and mouth and try breathing for 5 minutes. No, really, try it.


2. Put a close pin on your nose and try to breathe through a straw (no cheating and letting any air in on the sides; tight seal).

3. I am moving air through my lungs at the same capacity as that of a small toddler. I am only using 35% of my capacity. 

That really drove it home to me and helped me understand what was going on inside my own body.

That's what it feels like to have Idiopathic Bronchiolitis Obliterans!