It’s Offical!

Well I’m officially writing this blog from our home away from home for the next 12 weeks. Yep you’ve guessed it today was discharge day!!! Talk about a whirl wind of emotions! Never thought this day would come, still having a hard time believing I just under went a double lung transplant!

The day started off with a 5 am X-ray. I know it’s early but this time they took the picture while I laid in bed. So it wasn’t too bad.

The thorasic team came in at 7 am. They reviewed my X-ray everything looks great! Air pocket is small in size, no new fluids appeared. So they determined I could go home!

Next on the list was PFTs (pulmonary lung function test) at 8:30. It’s a test that basically measures how much air you lungs can take in and push out. My doctors really look at your FEC1 level, which is how much air your lungs can take in within one second. Today my FEV1 was 59% three weeks ago I was 21%. That’s a huge difference!!! My FEV1 level hasn’t been that high since 2007. As the soreness (from having my sternum broken) and things heal my FEV1 level should go up!

Then it was back to my room and I think I had a revolving door! Goodness! Next to come in was the pharmacist. Just checking in making sure I feel comfortable with all my new medications when to take them, what they look like, what they are for and if there was anything else I might need. She also set us up to get our prescriptions at the out patient pharmacy at UW while we are up here. Makes sense we will be going to UW frequently for the next 12 weeks.

Physical therapy was next on the list. Had to be evaluated one last time. Walked several laps without and walking assistants. So I don’t need a walker or anything. Just my own two feet! The PTA and I went through 6 different exercises I will do three times a day on my own. Plus I will also attend physical therapy at UW several times a week over the next 12 weeks. Have to call Monday and set up our appointments.

Next thing I knew it was 11:00 which you know what that meant!!!!!!!!!! SHOWER time!!! I have to say a shower never felt so good! My skin and hair really thanked me! Ha ha. I probably could have sat in the shower the entire day! I was in the shower for a good half an hour. Had to hurry because a respiratory therapist was coming at 12:15 to teach me how to use our in home spirometry machine. It’s a complicated thing. Ha ha. I got the hang of it!

After the spirometry teachings it was time for my picc line to come out. While I was in ICU the require you to have so many iv accesses. My mediport was accessed and then had to have a picc line placed. A picc line is basically a long term iv line that feeds into a vein that goes right above your heart. Peripheral ivs only last a day or two, and when your getting ivs around the clock that’s a lot of sticks! Felt good to see the picc line go! Doesn’t hurt coming out, nothing like a chest tube!

Since I’m on massive amounts of prednisone I’m am a diabetic for the time being. I’ve learned how to check my own blood sugars and how to self administer insulin when I need it. Even though I haven’t given myself a shot yet, thank goodness for my mom and Kerry. Ha ha. I’ll get there. A diabetic nurse came in to make sure we felt comfortable with everything. She also explained how much insulin to give each time and she also explained we will be following up with the diabetic clinic for the time being. Over the next 12 weeks my prednisone will taper off. Typically transplant patients are only diabetic temporarily. So we are hoping this is a temporary thing!!

The last person to come in was the nutritionist. My diet has changed slightly. I can’t eat certain deli meats, certain cheeses, sushi, or certain vegetables such as raw mushrooms or alpha sprouts because they are too hard to clean. Plus some of these products grow certain bacteria you can’t clean off, and it will interfere with my anti rejection medications. It’s a learning curve for all of us!

Next thing I know it was 3:30 and my nurse was walking in discharge papers to sign! We quickly packed up my room, signed my life away and then transport escorted us to our car! I remember soon as the front doors open and I could take in a deep breath of fresh air was probably the high light of my day!!! I just sat back in the wheelchair closed my eyes and let my new lungs fill up as much as they could, held my breath and then let it out! I didn’t even cough and then my eyes became teary eyed. I can’t remember the last time I have done that! As I looked around the cherry blossoms are blooming like crazy right along with the daffodils! It’s amazing how the outside world can change in two weeks!

I couldn’t get in the car fast enough! Kerry drive my mom and I to our temporary home for the next 12 weeks. The four of us will be living at the Marriott hotel. We have a cute little place to call home. As we all settled in it was getting close to dinner time. So I changed my clothes really quick actually put on shoes and socks and away we went. We walked several blocks to this delicious restaurant called Dukes. Oh man I made a pig of myself. My first non hospital meal in 32 days! I think it’s safe to say I earned it! I started off with some corn chips and gluten free green salsa. It was yummy!!! Followed by gluten free clam chowder and then I had another seafood soup. It was LOADED with crab, shrimp, cod, salmon, tomatoes and much more! Needless to say I didn’t leave hungry!!! Enjoyed a very nice dinner with my family. The only thing that was missing was my dad. I know he’s working hard to get back up here, and I can’t wait to have him back! Sure do miss him! The walk back to the hotel was pleasant. I didn’t have to stop once! Wasn’t short of breath and the best part was half of the walk was up hill! Can’t remember the last time I walked up hill and conquered it!

As I prepare myself for bed I find myself looking around for my vest and other neb’s to do. Oh wait I traded all of that in for taking oral medications, checking blood sugars, blood pressure, in home spirometry, checking my temperature and last checking my weight! Took me a whole 15 min! I think I can adjust to this new life style!

Alright I think I’ve written a novel and my bed is calling my name. Hope everyone had a great week. Enjoy the weekend with the ones you love!

Until next time……..

~Jen~
“Just Breathe”