14 Days Into My New Life Part 2

Monday14 May 2012 - Today I had a broncoscpy. This is a minor procedure where you are put under twilight sedation and a camera is passed through your mouth into your windpipe and the doctor checks to see how your new lungs are looking. This wasn't a big deal, just yuk because I had to fast from 6.00am that morning and the procedure wasn't until 1.00pm.


Tuesday 15 May 2012 - Today was pretty monumental, I walked outside for the first time in 2 weeks and my physio and I walked approximately 400m in the glorious sun. It was the first time I have been able to walk that far without becoming breathless in years, I was so happy that I cried. It was also huge in that I started wearing my own clothes again. Because I am so wobbly on my feet, it took me 15 minutes to get my hospital gown off and my pyjamas on, but I was determined and I got there in the end! My education as to what my life will now be like as a post-transplant patient started today. Additionally my main wound dressing was taken off. This was weird, I have no other large scars, so seeing my scar for the first time was quite confronting. In the afternoon my body started to retain fluid and I started to swell up all over.

Wednesday 16 May 2012 - Today my left arm started to swell, this is the arm with the picc line in it to deliver iv antibiotics. I had an ultrasound and they found some small clots around the line so the decision was made to remove the picc and put another central line in, which is a drip in my neck. I got my 4 sutures out of the bottom of my wound.


Thursday 17 May 2012 - Today I got the new central line it, its really sore but absolutely necessary.

Friday 18 May 2012 - Today I did 30 minutes on the exercise bike in my room and walked the corridors yet again. I get 2 hours of exercise a day and my physio Matty is terrific. When I first met him I told him that I am super keen and super motivated but I don't respond to yelling. He replied that that's ok, he's not much of a yeller anyway so we'll get on just fine. I was so relieved to hear this. The last thing I need is a drill Sergeant for a physio. I am so swollen all over, my belly is huge and covered in spots from the anti-blood clotting injections and insulin I have been taking.


Saturday 19 May 2012 - Today I did something pretty huge. Before you can be released from hospital after transplant you have to walk up the hill from the main entrance to the hospital up to the main building. This is a hoo-er of a hill and challenges the even the fittest. And I did it with Matty pushing my iv drip pole the whole way. I am really proud of this. My diet will adjust hugely and I can no longer eat any deli meat at all. Brad bought an assortment of sandwich meats for me to try :-)

Sunday 20 May 2012 - Today was pretty quiet with lots of reflection. I got new lungs 2 weeks ago today. What's in store for me next?


love

K