Results of clinic visit last week

Sorry to be so late in returning to blogging.........just that time of year when I really need more hours in each day!
Before leaving Durham, we received a good report from the doctor.  Two of his medications were decreased and she said that if the Bronchoscopy, that was to be that afternoon, was without infection or rejection then he would not have to have another before Feb.  We were delighted to hear that.  All his labs were within normal limits and the chest x-ray and lung function tests were very good.

We were able to enjoy a short visit from my brother Dennis and a dinner with Jerry and Gloria from Wilmington.  It was good to have enough time for those visits.  Wednesday was an overwhelming day that began at 7:15 a.m.  and ended at 7:15 P.M. Clinic, Dr. and Bronk all in one day!  That was very tiring for me let alone what it does for Lee.

Lee was able to drive all the way to Durham and I drove on the return trip.  (No driving until 24 hours post Bronk).  Since he has been home he has been coughing more and more.  I was becoming very concerned about the cough but decided it was probably some irritation from the bronchoscopy as he has done that before.  This cough; howevcr did not want to stop.

The Lung transplant coordinator called to reiterate the above reports but also added that the biopsy did show a fungus in the lung.  So that is why he is coughing so much.  On Monday the special medication will be delivered to us and must be administered vial special breathing apparatus.  In addition he will begin on an oral anti-fungal medication. (This had to be special order through Wal-green).  Hopefully by the end of this next week the cough will be gone.

You may be wondering why he got the fungus.  This is not at all uncommon in post lung transplant.  The new lung is moist, not dry like our normal lungs are and he now has no immune system.  His white cell count has been lowered to 2 (normal is 9) and that gives you some idea of how vulnerable he is.  He only has to breathe the outside air and if the wind is carrying some microbial spores of fungi and it gets in his nose or mouth, then he has a perfect place in the moist, dark lung for it to multiply.  So, as you can see, just being outdoors can be detrimental to Lee.  We are gradually learning all the precautions that must be taken and more and more learning how important is is for his survival.

Other than that, he seems to feel o.k.  Energy level is low right now.  We were hoping to begin an exercise program in Hickory next week and will still try for that. 

Meanwhile, the shopping, baking and wraping of gifts continues with all the joys of this very special Holiday season.

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

Long time, No Blog

As you can see, a lot of time has passed since I last blogged.  I have been unbelievably frantic with so much to do during this season.  It is so good to be home that I want  you to know that I am not complaining, just out of time.  Since Thanksgiving there has been the usual hustle and bustle of decorating the house, the trees, shopping  and all those wonderful things we do for Christmas.  This has been a little more difficult this year because I usually shop all year, beginning in January and last year did not allow that.  So I did get behind in my shopping.

Lee is doing great.  He still has some down days but they do not last long.  He just can't seem to get rid of the cough that plagues him from time to time.  He is enjoying leaving by himself and driving his truck wherever he wants to go.  He still cannot do any work that he enjoys but that will come with time.  He walks mostly with or without his cane and that is a good thing.  His strength is not returning as fast as I would like to see, but then again, I must remember what his body has been through.  We are leaving today for Durham for the routine monthly appointment and for the bronchoscopy.  I really think he will be fine after that.  His new lung just needs to be irrigated.  Unfortunately it is part of this process to have mucuous to accumulate in the new lung the first year or until the lung finally begins to adjust.

So I have little time to write...........needed to touch base if you are still there.  We are looking forward to seeing Dennis for a short while at the clinic and Jerry and Gloria have the same schedule.  We will be at Duke Towers again.  Will follow up when we return.

More later.............................Brenda

Brenda