Some of our Challenges

Most of the time, Lee and I are able to keep up with this busy schedule of medications, I.V.'s, blood sugars, Insulin and the belly injection of Lovenox.  When we were at the clinic on Monday, the physician decided to add another Insulin injection in addition to the three that he is on with his meals.  This is a long-acting insulin and is to be given at bedtime.  The Lovenox injection is also given at bedtime.

Yesterday was a very tiring day for me and for Lee.  Lee, because of the increased rehab. and for me, I suppose it is sleep deprivation.  Anyway, we followed our usual routine with meds, etc in preparation for bed around 9:30.   I fell into a deep sleep immediately and I believe Lee did too.  At exactly 10:55, I awoke with a start.  I had forgotten to give Lee his bedtime Insulin!  I hurridly prepared the insulin and woke up Lee.  He looked at me and said, "You forgot the Lovenox @ bedtime!"  Again, I hurridly prepared that injection for his belly.  By this time, it was around 11:20.  Aware that the I.V. was to be started @ 12:00, I stopped the alarm and started the I.V. early.  I set the timer for 35 minutes when it stopped and after the flush of saline and heparin and locking down the PCC line, I was finally ready for sleep...........................that is until the 6:00 alarm for the I.V. again.  This is supposed to change by Sunday and then we will both be able to catch up on our sleep.

Sometimes in the evenings we get so tired and sleepy that we get a little out of  sorts and it is easy to become forgetful or make errors.  Today I made certain I wrote the evening schedule on the dry erase board so as not to forget!

Lee would like for all of you to know that his challenges are becoming easier to meet at the Center for The Living.  Even though the weights are heavier and the repititions are greater in number and the time on the bike is longer and the walk around for laps is longer..........................the challenge is easier!  That is because he is getting stronger each day.  Another good thing is that his appetite is finally coming back!  He now eats as though he is enjoying his food and usually eats all that I serve him.  Today at lunch (for the first time) he asked for a second bowl of soup!

Today at the CFL, Lee was strategically placed next to a new pre-lung patient.  The therapist felt that Lee would be a good encourager for him since he was apprehensive and overwhelmed by all that was being presented to him.  When I arrived to pick Lee up, I stood and watched as he calmly talked to the guy beside him while they were on the pedalers (bikes).  It was so good to see Lee able to appear more like himself before the illness. 

As you can see, things are beginning to become more normal.  We know that the life we had prior to this illness and transplant is now a part of our past.  We do know, however, that our future holds the promise of having Lee here longer, free from his struggle to breathe and with a renewed appreciation of  life.  We both have that appreciation of life.  We look forward to all that life has to offer and to God's blessings that we continue to receive.

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