Right on Target!

Well I can finally cross an item off my bucket list!! I finally got to experience what it is like to wake up, get straight in the shower, get ready, come out do my new morning routine, eat breakfast and then out the door! That was probably the number one thing I wanted to experience post transplant the most. Pre transplant if I had an appointment at 10:00 am I would give myself at least three and a half hours to do to all of my morning therapies, followed by getting ready for the day, then out the door I would go. I have to say getting up at 8:00 and being out the door by 9:30 (with time to spare) it truly felt incredible!! Although, while I was eating breakfast I found myself looking at the clock thinking “okay you still have therapy to do, so you better pick up the pace or you’ll be late!!” Then I realize you already did your “therapy” routine, remember? It’s just out of habit I keep thinking about my therapies. I’ve been doing nebulizers and chest therapy for the past 29 years, is a huge change. I still find it very odd my vest machine is packed up and in the trunk of my car, it almost feels like part of me is missing.

Anyways on to our day. I had an appointment with Dr. Wright who is a diabetes specialist at UW. Since I’ve never been to see a diabetes doctor I wasn’t sure what to expect. She was a very nice doctor, who asked lots of questions. She downloaded all my information from my glucometer, and we discussed my results. She only made one change to my insulin dosage at lunch time, I just have to add one more unit. I have a follow up appointment with Dr. Wright in a month. I think it took more time to update my medication list then the actual appointment. Most of my old med’s are discontinued and there is a long list to replace them. Oh well cross that off the list!

After our appointment my mom and I were feeling adventurous, so we found the nearest Target and Siri took us there. It was a two story Target, so much to look at! We wondered around, I think we saw every item that store had to offer on the first floor. After a good hour we headed to the second floor in search of a crock pot. We made our way to the kitchen section and I was getting tired. I found the aisle with all the big kitchen aid mixers, there happen to be a box in the aisle so I walked over and sat down on it while my mom went in search of a crock pot! Hey sometimes you need a little break! Ha ha. After my mom found a crock pot, there was a Starbucks located on this floor. So we wandered over, got a cold drink and sat down for a while. We are getting more comfortable with checking blood sugars . I checked while sitting there and my mom gave me a shot in the arm and I really don’t think anyone noticed! After we finished our drinks we headed for the check out line. I had wanted to go to a few other stores today, but I think I might have been a little too ambitious. I was ready to head back to the hotel, and that’s what we did. I didn’t take a nap, but sat on the couch for quite awhile. Although I thought I did an awesome job walking at Target, it was good exercise! Plus it felt really good to walk around and not cough up a lung every ten seconds, and PITA (the nickname I gave my oxygen tank pain in the @$$) was not missed!!!!!

Tomorrow we have post lung transplant clinic beginning at 8:00 am. I am very curious as to what they are going to say. I feel stronger each day, I’ve been recording all my measurements in my journal, exercising each day, and eating fairly well so hopefully they will be happy! We will see though!

Travis Hollingsworth wrote in and asked “What has been the most difficult part of your transplant journey?” Great question! I would have to say besides the pain, and uncomfortable hospital beds, the hardest part was having patience waiting for the call. I had a clean out in November spent 14 days in the hospital was out for two weeks and then had to go right back in for another 14 days. I was out for three weeks and then back in. During those hospital stays it was very hard to stay positive. I even asked myself “why me?” I do everything I am suppose to do, but my health is deteriorating so quickly. After this last admissions I was scared. I wasn’t responding to my medications like I normally do. I just kept telling myself “you need to have patience, the call will come, just hang on a little longer.” Looking back on it, I don’t think anyone or myself realized how sick I was. I remember one instance during my hospital in January my mom was in my room and I had a horrendous coughing spell. It took me quite awhile to get the junk out, and then to catch my breathe, I remember turning and looking at my mom saying “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.” I knew deep down inside my heart the call would come, it was too soon for me to leave earth. But man oh man, there were days when I was tested. Especially within the last three months. When we needed it the most, the call came!

Well I’m pooped from today and have to get up early tomorrow. Time to kick back and relax for a little while and then bedtime for this girl! Hope everyone had a great Tuesday!

Until next time……………

~Jen~
“Just Breathe”