5 WEEKS & COUNTING!

On one hand, I don't know where the the time has gone. On the other there have been times when I felt time stood still.

My Lung Transplant journey begin nearly 2 years ago on November 11, 2013. And now I am only 5 weeks away from the One Year Anniversary of my Lung Transplant.

I just received a letter from the Transplant Team with a long list of tests and doctor visits that I must schedule before or around my Transplant Anniversary Date. October will be a VERY busy month. I had to undergo all these tests before I was accepted for transplant, so it makes sense for them to want to repeat these tests and see where I am one year post transplant. 

Today I just got the results of some blood work I was waiting for and it was good news. Love getting good lab test results! There have been lots of blood tests in this transplant journey and so far most have been all good news. 

I am doing well and will be anxious for the results of all these tests I must have over the next 5 weeks. In November I will also have my one year Bronchoscopy. If all these tests go well, there will be good reason to celebrate.

That is my plan. From the day I got my transplant, I have been hoping to get to one year healthy with few issues and have a party with my family and friends to celebrate this major milestone. This has been a long and winding journey and the most challenging time of my life. But I have worked hard, done everything that was asked of me and am doing well. It hasn't been easy, but has been worth it. 

So the next 5 weeks will be filled with lots of tests and the hope I get all good results. I never mind getting tests. It's how we know what's going on. Is everything OK, or is there something we need to address? So I'm always on board with whatever testing the Transplant Team deems necessary. 

So bring it on! Let the testing begin. I have a One Year Anniversary Party to plan! 5 weeks to go!

Me, September 2015, 10 Months Post Transplant!

Me, September 20, 2015 - Finished the Respiratory Health Association's

Hike for Lung Health!

Check out my story on the Sept. 20, 2015 Hike for Lung Health

that appeared in the Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 edition of the Lake County (IL) News Sun

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-lung-health-hike-st-0928-20150927-story.html

The Journey of a Lung Transplant Candidate Video

I DID IT!!

Yesterday was the Respiratory Health Association's Hike for Lung Health 3 Mile Walk, which I had signed up to do back in July. All along my younger brother had said he would walk with me to support me, motivate me and help me with water bottles, since I can't drink from the "community cups" along the course.

I have been training for months and fundraising like a madwoman! Wanted to win the #1 Individual Fundraiser spot. That's not going to happen but I'm #2 and pretty darn proud that I managed to raise over $2,600 for lung health, research and education!

Yesterday turned out to be extra special. This was to be a major accomplishment in my Lung Transplant Journey and I worked hard to be ready. But at the last minute my entire family told me they too were going to walk with me in yet another show of support, as they have done through this entire transplant journey. It made the day so special, fun and I felt so loved and supported.

The weather was spectacular which only added to make the day more special. I met a lot of wonderful people from the Respiratory Health Association and hope to help with their mission.

But as challenging as it was, I DID IT! I achieved my goal and completed the 3 Mile Walk, as did my entire family. What a great day! A year ago I was in a wheelchair on oxygen 24/7 waiting for my lung and couldn't even walk around my house. I got so deconditioned. Getting back in shape when you get that deconditioned, it's HARD work to regain your strength. This Walk was a motivator for me; something to work for.

I am proud of all I have accomplished. The work toward recovery is ongoing. I am not 100% yet and don't know when I will be, if I can ever can be "normal" again. But I will keep working hard on my rehab to regain as much strength as possible.

But I am so proud:  

I DID IT!

Video of Me & My Family Doing

The Hike for Lung Health!

MY JOURNEY: IT'S TIME TO DO THE HIKE!

Since my Lung Transplant on November 3, 2014, I have been working very hard to rehabilitate my body, which had become totally de-conditioned due to the lung disease I had gotten. It's a slow process, starting as soon as I woke up from my Transplant. The hospital gets you out of bed the very next day and sitting in a chair. Something so many take for granted, but following a year of not being able to walk due to shortness of breath and being on oxygen 24/7, getting out of the hospital bed on my own and sitting in a chair, was a big deal! Hard, but a big deal and I did it!

First Time Sitting in a Chair!

Next comes your first walk after surgery. Of course, I was very weak and needed assistance, but every day, the nurses would come, get me out of bed and we would go for a walk and each day we would try to walk a little further than the day before. It's at this point, one thinks, I'm never going to be able to walk like I did before I got sick, but I kept fighting and following instructions and, while it was definitely baby steps, I was making progress.

First Walk!

After I was discharged, my rehab began at home, slowly guided by a great Physical Therapist. At first I had to lay on the bed to do the exercises he wanted me to do. Working my legs to get the muscles to re-awaken after going to sleep for so long. Then after several weeks, we got up and standing to do the exercises. I was clearly making progress, but it was not easy and I always needed a nap when we were done with our hour of exercise.

After about 8 weeks of at home physical therapy, I graduated to Out-Patient Pulmonary Rehab. I was required to go twice a week for 12 weeks with each session lasting an hour. The P.T.'s pushed me to work hard and do more each week. But I was the one that asked when I could start walking on the Treadmill. I was doing well on the machines they had me using, but I felt if I was to be able to really get back to walking, I needed to get on that treadmill. The therapists were pleased and helped me get started. I would use two machines on the days I went there and one was always the treadmill. The P.T.'s would have me increase the incline, speed and time I spent on it. I worked extremely hard and it was not easy. But I wanted this; to be able to return to walking, moving around on my own, was something I dreamed of when I was sick. So I worked as hard as I needed.

Walking on the Treadmill at Out Patient Rehab!

At the end of the 12 weeks of Out Patient Rehab, I was required to do a 6 minute walk. I had to do one at the beginning; they measure how far you can walk in 6 minutes. When I began my Out Patient Rehab after my Transplant, for my 6 Minute Walk, I was only able to walk 684 ft. That was a big improvement over what I could do before my Transplant. Following 12 weeks of Rehab, for my Graduation 6 Minute Walk, I was able to walk 1,337 ft.! A major improvement! I was discharged and told to keep working on my Rehab on my own, especially if I wanted to completely regain my strength and endurance.

I have been diligent in my working out since being discharged from Out Patient Rehab. I either walk outside on days where the weather is agreeable, or I use our community Fitness Center, using the Treadmill or Stationary Bike and doing hand weights every few days. I decided I wanted a goal to work toward and that's when I saw that the Respiratory Health Association was sponsoring their Annual Hike for Lung Health in Lincoln Park on September 20th. So back in July, I signed up to be a walker and my goal was to participate in their 3 Mile Walk. In addition I set up a Fundraising page and set about trying to raise as much money for the Respiratory Health Association, whose work to promote awareness and support programs to promote lung health is so important. So far I have raised over $2,600 and am currently the #2 Individual Fundraiser having been bumped from the #1 position just recently. 

I have been working hard to get ready for the Hike for Lung Health! Walking both outside and in our Fitness Center. Continuing to push myself and how far I was going and how fast I was walking. 

My First 2 Mile Walk Outside!

Doing Weights!

Finished My First 3 Mile Walk!

So today I am heading to the Treadmill to do my last training workout before the Hike for Lung Health on Sunday. I will rest my legs tomorrow and then head to Lincoln Park with my younger brother, who has agreed to be my "walking buddy", and some family to cheer me on as I cross the finish line! I am excited to participate in this important event to help raise awareness for Lung Health and the important work of the Respiratory Health Association. I am very excited that the Respiratory Health Association took an interest in my story and interviewed me and posted my story on their website Patient Stories page. Here's a link where you can read it.

http://www.lungchicago.org/news-human-interest/

Ready for the Hike for Lung Health!

It's been a long, challenging journey from Lung Transplant Surgery, through Rehab and Recovery. I am not 100% back to "normal". I don't know if I ever will be, but I continue to work hard and fight to get my strength back. I have made huge strides and am proud of what I have accomplished. So, this Sunday, September 20th at 10AM (Central Time) I will set off on the 3 Mile course of the Hike for Lung Health. Please cheer me on from wherever you are! I'll take all the encouragement I can get. My goal is to finish the walk in less than 60 minutes. If I do that, I will truly have achieved something at 10 1/2 months Post Transplant that I would not have thought possible a year ago! Here's to achieving that goal! I will post about how things went after the Walk! 

Wish me luck!

My YouTube Video: 

Lung Transplant: From Surgery to Rehab & Recovery

SUNDAY'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE & SONG FOR THE DAY!

Struggling with multiple health conditions and then, very shockingly, finding out I needed a Lung Transplant to live, it would be so easy to just lay in bed and cry. But I didn't want to be that person. I chose to fight and that's why this quote speaks to me so deeply. It isn't always easy, but I have a choice on how to deal with all the struggles that I have been dealt. I make a choice every single day, and I choose to fight and feel blessed that I got my life saving transplant and so much more. I hope it inspires others to make a choice to find those things in your life for which to be all of these things.

"I Won't Back Down" - Tom Petty

(Tom Petty wrote this when he was sick.)

10 MONTH ANNIVERSARY!

WOW! I cannot believe it is September already. The year is flying by and yet at the same time it's hard to believe we are here as some days and weeks seemed to drag.

But today is yet one more important Milestone for me. Today is the 10 Month Anniversary of my life saving Lung Transplant! 10 months since I was given the ultimate Gift of Life! I am still here and doing quite well.

The Transplant Team is happy with how I am doing and I am making progress every day. It's very hard work recovering from a Lung Transplant, but it's worth the effort. A year ago, sitting in a wheel chair, on oxygen 24/7, needing a Bipap to sleep at night (if I could); having to try to sleep sitting up. I  am so blessed to be here.

As many of you know, I am so grateful that I got my Lung Transplant, I have committed to participating in the Respiratory Health Association Hike for Lung Health on September 20th; in just a few weeks. It's a 3 Mile Walk. That may not seem like much to healthy folks who exercise and walk regularly. But it was hard even before my Transplant due to my bladder disease, IC. I have no choice post transplant, however; as I am required to exercise and walk to rehabilitate myself. If you don't promise to do this, they won't give you your transplant. They don't want to waste a perfectly good Lung on a "couch potato" when it could save someone willing to take care of such a precious gift.

I told my Transplant Team that if I was to get a lung, I would do everything they told me to in order to take care of myself and my lung. Someone gave the ultimate Gift of Life to me and I do not take that for granted. So I am walking and preparing for the 3 Mile Hike for Lung Health!

I will have one more Bronchoscopy on my one year anniversary and then I've been told I don't have to have them anymore unless there is something suspect going on. I don't know how often I'll have to see the Transplant team going forward after that as well. A conversation I plan on having in October when I see them.

In the meantime, every month that I can check off the calendar is a good thing for a Lung Transplant patient. Making it to 1 year is a BIG deal in Lung Transplant, as lungs do not have the success rates that all other organs do. So I am happy to be doing as well as I am. 

I have written to my donor family (anonymously through a complex process) to thank them for this precious gift. I finally received a letter back from my donor's family telling me about my donor and saying they hoped to meet the recipients. I filled out the paperwork/release form and had it forwarded to the donor family so they now have my information and I hope to hear from them at some point. I would love to meet them and tell them face to face what their gift means to me and my family.

So today is an important day to me. I mark each anniversary as I reach it, as it is an accomplishment that no one knew that I'd ever make. 

So 10 Months ago today, I was in the ICU after having a Single Right Lung Transplant. Today I am working hard exercising and walking all over the house, running errands, visiting with friends and being with family.

It's a great thing! Happy Anniversary to me!

"I'm Alive" - Kenny Chesney

SUNDAY'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE & SONG FOR THE DAY!

I read this and just related to it on several levels I had to

post it as my Sunday Inspirational Quote. I hope you all

relate to it as well.

"I Didn't Know My Own Strength" - Whitney Houston

UPS AND DOWNS, BUT IT'S ALL GOOD!

I am now 9 1/2 Months Post Lung Transplant. I truly can't believe that much time has gone by since I received the Gift of Life. Since then it has been a journey of Ups and Downs, which we were warned would be the case. They did not lie!

I am doing very well, really. They keep telling me how great I am doing and I believe that I am. However, there have been Ups and Downs along this journey called transplant and I expect that is the way it will go as long as my lung keeps me going.

The kidney issues I have written about seem to have stabilized. I am so thrilled to get those good lab reports! It does wonders for my attitude and of course we always want things to go well. Today's labs were all good news and the numbers went down and that's what we wanted. YES!!! Major Up!

Unfortunately, my weekend was not so good. I have suffered from Vertigo most of my life, since I was young. I finally was diagnosed about 5+ years ago with Epilepsy and my Neurologist told me it is not uncommon for Epilepsy patients to suffer from episodes of vertigo. However, since I was diagnosed and put on the right medication I have not had an episode in all this time. 5+ years and no vertigo. So I have been so happy about that. Well, this weekend I was struck hard by a nasty episode of vertigo that kept me in bed and still the room was spinning. Luckily, my doctor has prescribed an anti-vertigo medication to have on hand in case I need it, so I caved and took one yesterday. They put me to sleep which is why I don't really like taking them. But they do the trick so it was worth it.  I woke up today feeling much better, but I always have this sort of "hangover" feeling. It wears off as the day goes on which is good. So that was my Down for the weekend.

I am glad I feel better today. I am working, as many of you know to participate in the Hike for Lung Health sponsored by the Respiratory Health Association in a few weeks.  I need to keep walking if I am to complete the event. This is big challenge for me (I know it's only 3 Miles, but 9 months post transplant makes it a big deal for me), but I am determined to do it! If I do, that will be one of my biggest Ups since I got my new lung.

I can't believe I am rapidly approaching my One Year Anniversary of my Transplant! Here's to hoping all keeps going well (for the most part) because I want to have a big celebration when I hit one year! Talk about a big Up!

Being a Transplant patient isn't easy. No one said it would be. In fact they said it would be the hardest thing I would ever have to do. Again, they did not lie. It is hard and I am, even 9 months later, still going through the recovery process in many ways. But I am recovering. I still have post surgical issues and I'm told the pain from my incision can take as long as a year to a year and a half to go away; or it might never go away. I may have to live with that pain for the rest of my life. We just don't know. 

So it's been a journey of Ups & Downs for sure. But when I look at everything in retrospect, I have to conclude that it's really all good! I was told I would not be here without a Lung Transplant, yet here I am! And the recent birthday celebrations (mine and then my Mom's) where family came together to celebrate our special days was all I ever dreamed about when I was so sick. I wanted time with my family and friends. I just want as much time with them as I can get! Transplant patients never know how much time they have. I guess none of us really do but being a Transplant patient is an added layer of mystery and I am grateful for every day I wake up and can enjoy my family and friends. Just being able to walk, talk, take a shower are things that I love and don't take for granted.

So if I have to deal with a few "Downs", then as far as I'm concerned it's a small price to pay for being alive thanks to the precious Gift of Life that I received. Yeah, it's all good. I remind myself of that whenever I might be struggling. IT'S ALL GOOD!

"Way Over Yonder" - Carole King

SUNDAY'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE DAY!

BRONCHOSCOPY: WHEN'S THE NEXT ONE?!

It's hard for me to believe that it's been 9 months since I received the Gift of Life and got my Lung Transplant! While you are going through it - the surgery, the pain, the rehab, the medication and recovery, one spends a lot of time in the doctor's office, especially early on following surgery. As time passes, you move away from seeing the doctor at your visits, which are now every 3 months, to seeing the Transplant Nurse Practitioner.

One of the many tests a Transplant patient must undergo every 3 months (more if there are signs of rejection) is a Bronchoscopy. You are sedated so it's not an unpleasant procedure.  The scope is gently passed through your mouth, and into your lungs. The doctor takes about 10 tissue samples from the transplanted lung which are sent to the lab to look for infection or rejection. They also do a bronchoalveolar lavage where fluid is squirted into a small part of the lung and then collected for examination. This is all done to check for infections (viral, bacterial or fungal) as well as rejection.

I have gotten so that I look forward to this procedure every 3 months. I find them reassuring, as my results have all been good, but if there is something we need to know about, then it's important this procedure be done so we can discover whatever it might be and treat it. So I have always been more than happy to have to go through this procedure. I made my Nurse Coordinator laugh when I told her this, but she understood what I was saying.

Well, as the time has rapidly (in many respects) flown by, I could not believe this past Monday was to be my 9 Month Bronchoscopy! Already! It takes a few days to get all the lab results back from this test, but I have heard from my Coordinator and it's all good:  NO INFECTION & NO REJECTION!

That's what we want to hear! Making it to 9 months with such good test results in Lung Transplant is a big deal, as Lungs don't statistically do as well as other organs. So I am thrilled! They also drew blood to check on my kidney function, which I've previously written has been elevated, requiring me to go for two IV infusions. We are checking it every 2 weeks. Well, I got basically good news. It's unchanged since the last check. It's still a bit high (certainly for a healthy person), but for me, since it did not go up but stayed the same, that's good news! I'm drinking my water religiously, and hopefully that will keep things holding steady.

I can't believe it, but the next Bronchoscopy will be done around my one year transplant anniversary! I can't believe that is only 3 months away. A year ago I didn't know if I'd even get my lung and here we are doing well 9 months post transplant, with my one year anniversary rapidly approaching! 

Making it to one year in Lung Transplant is a Super Big Deal! I hope to get the same results in November that I've gotten all along and have even more reason to celebrate making the one year mark! So, I actually look forward to my next Bronchoscopy. Call me crazy, but I like knowing what's going on and this is how we know! Here's to the next Bronchoscopy in November and continued good results!

Bronchoscopy Procedure!

"Fight Song" - Rachel Platten

ANOTHER MILESTONE!

So today I hit another Milestone in my post Transplant life. Today is my 9 month Transplant Anniversary when I was blessed and given the Gift of Life!

I find it so hard to believe that 9 months have gone by already. I am making good progress in my recovery and, while there are issues here and there, things seem to be going well overall. There will always be bumps in the road being a Transplant Patient and I know I ask my Coordinator SO many questions, I'm sure there are days she'd like to trade me in for someone who wants less information.

But I find my Coordinator to be such a fantastic resource, with never ending patience and so helpful with all my questions and anxieties when they pop up. The entire Transplant Team is simply the best and I would not be celebrating this milestone without each and every one of them!

Next week I have my 9 Month Bronchoscopy and hopefully that will show all is well with my lung. The next one will be on my 1 year anniversary! That's rapidly approaching - November 3rd. I plan on having a big celebration to mark that date, which I am calling my "Re-Birthday"!

Before then, I plan on hitting another milestone as I will be doing the Hike for Lung Health sponsored by the Respiratory Health Association on September 20th with my brother. I am raising funds for them and so far I am the #1 Individual Fundraiser for the Hike! I am so close to reaching my fundraising goal, I hope I get there.

I have hit so many milestones along this Transplant Journey and that makes me so happy. I wrote my Donor family back in April which has very strict guidelines and you never know if you'll ever hear back. Over this past weekend I was so surprised and pleased to received a letter back from the Donor family in which they express their desire to meet. I have contacted the Transplant Team and they are starting the process of putting us in touch. I consider it a very special second gift that to have received a letter from them telling me about my donor. I am so blessed and grateful and hope to meet them someday soon.

I continue to fight whatever comes my way. Right now I am fighting a virus that is making it hard to work out, but today I pushed myself and went for a walk anyway. I did not go far, only 1 mile, but it's better than nothing and I could not have done as much one year ago. So it's another celebration of my 9 month Anniversary!

I have so much to be grateful for. When I was waiting for my lung, it was hard to imagine ever getting it, the wait seemed so long and yet it finally came and I got my beautiful new lung. As I woke up in recovery still intubated, with 2 chest tubes and line in my neck and IVs it was hard to imagine moving past that to even get home. But I recovered quickly, getting extubated after I finally was awake and they determined my vital signs were good enough to remove it. The chest tubes came out soon after along with the line in my neck. I never would have guessed I would go for my first walk 4 days post transplant. Everything seems so far away but each item gets checked off and I was discharged from the hospital only 7 days post transplant! I never would have imagined that was possible. At that time, rehab was SO challenging but I did it. I could never imagine that 9 months later I would be planning to walk 3 Miles to raise awareness for lung health!

But here we are; 9 Months Post Transplant! It's another Milestone for me that is worth taking time to celebrate and acknowledge! 

First Walk - 4 Days Post Transplant

First 3 Mile Walk - 8 Months Post Transplant

SUNDAY'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE & SONG FOR THE DAY!

As I have gone through the most challenging time in my life over the past nearly 2 years, discovering I needed a Lung Transplant, I also discovered that I had to dig deep and face my fears and do something I never thought I would have to, let alone COULD do.

But with the support of my family, friends, fantastic Loyola Medical Team, and so many others who provided all kinds of support, I found the strength to go through my Lung Transplant, Rehab and Recovery. I am still working on Rehab & Recovery; it's a long, slow process especially being as de-conditioned as I was. But this Inspirational Quote speaks to me and the ability to do what we think we can't. One step, one day at a time and you will get to where you need to be!

"It's A Beautiful Day" - Michael Buble

While this song seemingly is just about a breakup, I believe it

also sends a message that no matter what's going on in your life,

there is so much to be thankful for.

RECOVERY, INSPIRATION AND THE HIKE FOR LUNG HEALTH!

One year ago, I was suffering from an incurable, terminal lung disease, on the UNOS Waiting List for a Lung Transplant. I was in a wheel chair and on oxygen 24/7, needing a Bipap to sleep at night. I had been admitted to the hospital too many times to count in respiratory distress. Flew to the Mayo Clinic to get a diagnosis. It was July and my 59th birthday was nothing to celebrate. I didn't know if I would even be here to see my 60th Birthday.

But while it took 4 more months, I got THE CALL and received the Gift of Life and my Lung Transplant.

It has been a long journey to where I am today. Recovering well, getting back in shape and working on my physical therapy. As I have progressed, I decided I wanted to do something I thought I might never do again - a 5K Walk. But not just any Walk; one for Lung Health.

So I have committed to participating in the Respiratory Health Association's Hike for Lung Health on September 20th in Lincoln Park (Chicago).

I'd like to ask all my readers to please consider supporting me in this important event. This is so important to me. The fact that I got my Lung Transplant that saved my life and that I can even consider doing a walk like this is a miracle!

The past year has been the most challenging time of my life. I have worked so hard to get through my Lung Transplant, work on my recovery and rehabilitation. To get to the point where walking 3 miles is even a possibility seemed so far away. But here I am working on my rehab and signing up to walk 3 miles to raise awareness and fundraise for research for lung disease.

I hope you will consider supporting me (no matter how small) and this worthy cause by making a donation to my fundraising page! If you are unable, no explanation is necessary, but if you can help in any small way, it will mean the world to me and you will be helping others suffering from lung disease.

https://secure.imisfriendraising.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=324495&langPref=en-CA#&panel1-2

"Don't Give Up" - Josh Groban

REASON TO CELEBRATE!

Today is my 60th Birthday! A year ago I posted about my birthday last year. I was extremely sick with terminal lung disease, but was on the waiting list for a life saving Lung Transplant. As challenging as it was at the time, I was trying to stay positive that my Gift of Life would come in time. It wasn't easy. And it took 4 more long months of waiting before "THE CALL" finally came and I received my Lung Transplant.

Last year, as hard as it was, being listed for a transplant was a blessing and so I chose to celebrate my life that day. I celebrated with my family, though it was not a big deal and we kept it very low key.

Last year, I did not know if I would be here to celebrate my 60th Birthday, but as I wrote, when I blew out the imaginary candles on my cake (oxygen on board back then so no real candles), I would make a wish that my transplant would come in time and I would be here to celebrate this milestone birthday of turning 60.

I asked all of you to also close your eyes and blow out an imaginary candle making a wish for me that I would get my transplant. One of my Interstitial Cystitis "sisters" started an online candlelight vigil for me for my birthday to support and pray that my wish came true. So many posted pictures of candles they had lit or pictures of candles and participated, it meant so much to me. I truly was touched and moved to tears.

In my younger years, as many of us do, I would make jokes about not looking forward to turning 40, 50, and really not 60. But things like needing a Lung Transplant changes one's perspective.

I could not be happier to be turning 60! I am excited. Friends and I are celebrating; my family is having dinner with me on the day (today) and we will truly celebrate this wonderful birthday! 

This year, as I blow out REAL candles on my cake, I will wish for continued good health, that my lung stays healthy, that my medical team can handle any and all challenges that come our way, and thank them for literally saving my life. I will also express my deepest and sincere thanks and love to my family for supporting me through the most challenging time of my life.

I will also thank every single person that has been supportive to me. You are too numerous to list but you know who you are. Our neighbors that brought us meals for months to help my Mom; the same neighbors that drove me to doctor appointments; the friends that helped with driving and errands and visiting me to keep my spirits up. All my online friends that I only get to see via Facebook; you have an impact and it means so much!  I have SO much for which to be grateful, I think I really do need all 60 candles on the cake it will take that long to make all the wishes I want to wish this year!

This year, I truly have Reason to Celebrate!  So, as I did last year, I'll ask anyone reading this to Close Your Eyes, Blow Out a Real or Imaginary Candle, and wish that all my wishes come true!

Getting Ready to go out to Dinner with Friends on Sunday!
(Looking a whole lot different than one year ago!)

My Birthday Cake!

(I Made It This Year Because I Could!)

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" - Celine Dion

Join me in the Hike for Lung Health Charity Walk!

Join me in the Hike for Lung Health Charity Walk!

SUNDAY'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE & SONG FOR THE DAY!

If anyone had asked me before I got terminal lung disease if I could handle having a Lung Transplant, I would have said "Hell No!". But you never know what you are capable of until you are faced with having to make that decision. It would have been so easy to fall apart (I had my moments) and just give up. But I wasn't ready, so I dug deep and found the strength I needed to face my fears and get that Lung Transplant. This quote spoke to me about that kind of situation. It can apply to so many situations. I hope you find whatever inspiration you need from it.

“Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.” 

– Unknown

"Thankful" - Josh Groban

I MAY NOT LIKE IT, BUT I'M GETTING USED TO IT!

So since my Lung Transplant, things have been going pretty well. My lung is doing well. Any problems I'm having are all side effects from the medications I must take. The biggest issue I'm having is from one of my anti-rejection medications which is causing kidney function issues.

Now, it's not like I wasn't warned about this prior to my transplant. The statistics show that 25% of Lung Transplant patients experience high levels of serum creatinine (the lab test which is an indicator of kidney function) within the first year after transplant. Here's a link to an excellent article that explains what Lung Transplant patients must deal with post transplant.

https://secondwindstl.org/who-we-are/articles-by-dr-hacheem/chronic-kidney-disease-after-lung-transplantation/

My kidney function is not good at this point. My lab tests all show I am dehydrated even though I am drinking 96 oz. of water every day. That's because my kidneys want more. My body wants more than I am capable of drinking in a single day. My Creatinine just keeps climbing higher and higher. I'm told it's nowhere near the stage where I need to be referred to Nephrology yet. But we do need to do something. 

OK, so what is it we need to do now? Whatever it is I'll do it. I can't speak for any other transplant patients, but after having gone through a surgery like that, from which I am still recovering 8 months later, I doubt there is anything they can throw at me that I won't just say "when and where" and go do it! I may not like it, but I have been through so much in the last 2 years, never mind what I went through with my IC in the last 13 years before I even got this lung disease. There isn't much they can throw at me, that I don't just suck it up and do it.

To help my kidney function - hopefully - the Transplant Team suggested I do two IV Saline Infusions this week (Wed. & Fri.). OK, no problem. Heck at this point, an IV is nothing anymore. These infusions took 3 hours each, but I brought my iPad and iPhone and kept myself occupied. Of course, my IC bladder does NOT like this and I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the infusion. I've been hooked up to IV's so many times that I have my Ph.D. in pushing an IV pole to the bathroom; didn't even need to call the nurse. 

Monday I will go to the lab for yet another blood draw and they will check my Creatinine and see what, if any, impact these infusions have had on my kidney function. Hopefully they will have helped. If so, then my question is: will these infusions become a regular treatment? Because I can't see the two I had lasting more than a few days (the nurse that hooked me up said that's the case with these as well). I suspect if they helped, they may become something I have to do on a semi-regular or regular basis. I'm anxious to find out.

If so, I'm hoping I can do it at home and not have to drive to the hospital for them. A conversation I need to have with someone on the Transplant Team. 

Regardless, if it's called for, I'll do it! When I signed up for a transplant, I said I would do whatever was necessary to take care of this precious gift I'd been given. So, while this may not be fun, I'll do it.   I'm getting used to this stuff. I barely blink. I have my moments; I am human, but things like this have become so routine I'm used to them. 

So whatever it takes, I'm on board. I'd really like to avoid kidney failure, dialysis and a kidney transplant. I've had one transplant; that was enough for me. But if that's what ends up being necessary, then so be it. I think the Transplant team is working hard at doing whatever it takes to postpone kidney failure for as long as they can.

Here's hoping they can postpone it for a very long time!

Wednesday; Infusion #1

Friday; Infusion #2