A Determined Lee!

Lee was determined to make it back to The Center for the Living today despite a continuing low Blood Pressure.  His BP was 108/78..............I told him he could do the rehab with that.  We were told when we got there that you must have a BP of 100/? in order to stay for rehab.  He was able to stay from 12:30 to 3:30!  WOW!  That was really good considering how tired and sluggish he is feeling.  He is actually having to start from the beginning post-transplant surgery.  Of course it is disappointing to him and to me but we have to accept whatever his body does.  It is hard not to judge his progress against others.  We see those who have had lung transplants and recover and go home in 4-6 weeks.  We have been advised to never become competetive with others.  All patients are different and must rehabilitate at their rate.  This, of course is determined by so many factors:  Pre-lung sickness and debilitation, extent of surgery, other procedures, age and complications.  Lee was very, very sick before surgery, had two procedures (lung and heart) and has had complications of his heart.  I believe I will omit age because he will read this!

Anyway, everyone was glad to see him there and congratulated him on his perseverance and his strong determination.  I know that you are as proud of him as we are.  Tomorrow is clinic in the a.m. and hopefully some more rehab in the afternoon.

It was good to have a visit from Howard, Mary Nell, Genice and Roger tonight.  They did not stay longer than 20 minutes and came from Raleigh to see us.  We missed a visit from Worth and Betty when Worth came for his check-up @ Duke.  Lee was involved @ The Center for the Living.  We would have enjoyed their visit.

So...............time to give meds..............prepare the I.V. for later...........................all the bedtime stuff...........We are tired and I am sleep deprived.

More Later.............................................Brenda