Perfect! One word to describe the beach. Temperatures have held from low 50's in early a.m. to mid to high 70's in the afternoon. Plenty of sunshine and breeze. (maybe a little too much breeze on the beach). Lee and I tried to sit on the beach Saturday, but the sand storm we encountered looked like the small sahara! After about 15 minutes, we gave up and came back to the house. Yesterday evening, the weather was so beautiful that I decided to walk on the beach. Lovely here, but cold and windy on the beach. I was able to enjoy a short walk and headed back to the house.
We talked to Lee's lung transplant coordinator yesterday and we do not have to return to Duke until June 14 & 15. We decided to have the bronch on a day separate from all the other tests. We do not want to dehydrate Lee again. She gave us a good report on all his tests and there was no rejection as reported from the bronch. We will have to wait another few weeks for the report on the fungus infection of the lung. We were told that this is a long treatment process and that it takes at least six months. After she talks to the doctor, she will let us know what he can do in regards to bee-keeping, planting and harvesting and using pesticide spray. This has been a major issue of Lee's. It is very hard for him to give up some aspects of farming.
Lee is enjoying his time at the beach and is getting much stronger with climbing the stairs. Last night we were able to meet with some friends and eat at a small restaurant that was not crowded. It felt good to do that. Tomorrow we will have lunch with our friends, Jerry and Gloria in Wilmington. So far, this has been a wonderful week.
I had time to finish proof-reading my book and sent it to the publisher. I hope to hear from them by next week. Will let you know how that turns out. If nothing else, I will have my own permanent record for the family. I would like to be able to share it with Duke and other recipients. It is my wish that the book will encourage others to become donors and that the recipients will learn to gain strength in their fight.
Time to help Lee with his breathing treatment and perhaps another trip to the beach and just read a book and relax. (weather permitting!)
More Later........................................Brenda
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
"Honey, I feel..........."
Thursday , March 17 was clinic day @ Duke. We had traveled from our farm the day before and spent the night @ Staybridge where once again, we enjoyed meeting some "lung colleagues" from Duke lung transplant program. It was good to sit in the lounge and share success stories along with some of those who are still anticipating being accepted into the program. We talked with one couple from Alabama and another from Arkansas. One was recovering and the other was eagerly awaiting being on the list. How well we understood the anxieties and apprehensions they were experiencing. Lee is so good to offer an encouraging word to all he meets. When they hear his story and see how good he looks now, we can see a light begin to emerge from their almost senseless eyes. It is indeed rewarding. Lee had spent the earlier part of the afternoon visiting the workers at the Center For Living. He is very attached to those workers (especially, "his" girls!)
Since Lee was to be fasting after midnight on Thursday, I had encouraged him to hydrate with lots of water after dinner. At 9:00, he did eat some peanut butter and crackers and a large glass of water, then to bed. We were to be at the clinic @ 7:30 in the morning so early bedtime was essential.
We areived at the clinic at 7:30 and Lee was quickly ushered to the nurses station for vitals and then for a breathing test. From there he had lab work and then to x-ray. All of the usual routine work when we return to the clinic. He had a bronchoscopy scheduled for 10:00 that morning in the hospital so all the previous tests were rushed. We had decided to walk through the tunnel to the hospital (not realizing it was about a mile long!) and after a short distance an attendant told us he needed to ride in the w/chair. After seeing the long walk we were glad we did!
The bronchoscopy was completed by 11:30 and the doctor gave Lee a good thumbs up in that all looked very good! Lee drank three small cokes and it was back to the clinic via w/chair for the scheduled doctor's appointment at 2:00. On the way, Lee reminded me that he was hungry and we would need to eat before the appointment. However, as soon as we arrived at the clinic, his name was called and we were surprised to be called that early. We passed on the chicken sandwich and I hurridly retrieved a pack of peanut butter crackers and a bottle of water from my bag. We felt this would last until we could see the doctor.
I might add here that Lee was especially proud of how good he was doing and was excited about seeing his favorite pulmonary doctor (a female ) who had not seen him since October! Well, we waited and waited and waited and by this time, it was 2:00 p.m. Lee decided to walk around and then returned. When he sat down he said "HONEY, I FEEL LIGHTHEADED!" I quickly checked his blood sugar and it was normal. As I turned to look at him, he was chalky white, perspiring and OUT! The nurse walked in and then was followed by two others. I meanwhile had automatically assumed my nursing persona, and am telling Lee to put his head down to his knees! I heard someone ask to check his blood sugar and I announced that I already had and it was 120. Well, folks, here I am at the Mecca of medicine capital of whatever and I am acting like I not only WORK there, but have assumed CHARGE DUTIES!
Anyway, his favorite doctor did get to see him, alas, in the worst of conditions, and had to call 911! We were transported by ambulance to the emergency room. After two hours and failed (4) attempts to start and I.V., the emergency room physician decided to feed Lee a chicken sandwich (per his request) and lots of coke and/or water. After two chicken sandwiches, another coke and water, blood work and a normal EKG. the diagnosis was confirmed. Lee was hungry and dehydrated! He was discharged to go home. Unfortunately, we have not completed our clinic visit and are awaiting reports via phone next week. Meanwhile, we are enjoying some beautiful weather at the beach and all is well.
More Later...............................Brenda
Since Lee was to be fasting after midnight on Thursday, I had encouraged him to hydrate with lots of water after dinner. At 9:00, he did eat some peanut butter and crackers and a large glass of water, then to bed. We were to be at the clinic @ 7:30 in the morning so early bedtime was essential.
We areived at the clinic at 7:30 and Lee was quickly ushered to the nurses station for vitals and then for a breathing test. From there he had lab work and then to x-ray. All of the usual routine work when we return to the clinic. He had a bronchoscopy scheduled for 10:00 that morning in the hospital so all the previous tests were rushed. We had decided to walk through the tunnel to the hospital (not realizing it was about a mile long!) and after a short distance an attendant told us he needed to ride in the w/chair. After seeing the long walk we were glad we did!
The bronchoscopy was completed by 11:30 and the doctor gave Lee a good thumbs up in that all looked very good! Lee drank three small cokes and it was back to the clinic via w/chair for the scheduled doctor's appointment at 2:00. On the way, Lee reminded me that he was hungry and we would need to eat before the appointment. However, as soon as we arrived at the clinic, his name was called and we were surprised to be called that early. We passed on the chicken sandwich and I hurridly retrieved a pack of peanut butter crackers and a bottle of water from my bag. We felt this would last until we could see the doctor.
I might add here that Lee was especially proud of how good he was doing and was excited about seeing his favorite pulmonary doctor (a female ) who had not seen him since October! Well, we waited and waited and waited and by this time, it was 2:00 p.m. Lee decided to walk around and then returned. When he sat down he said "HONEY, I FEEL LIGHTHEADED!" I quickly checked his blood sugar and it was normal. As I turned to look at him, he was chalky white, perspiring and OUT! The nurse walked in and then was followed by two others. I meanwhile had automatically assumed my nursing persona, and am telling Lee to put his head down to his knees! I heard someone ask to check his blood sugar and I announced that I already had and it was 120. Well, folks, here I am at the Mecca of medicine capital of whatever and I am acting like I not only WORK there, but have assumed CHARGE DUTIES!
Anyway, his favorite doctor did get to see him, alas, in the worst of conditions, and had to call 911! We were transported by ambulance to the emergency room. After two hours and failed (4) attempts to start and I.V., the emergency room physician decided to feed Lee a chicken sandwich (per his request) and lots of coke and/or water. After two chicken sandwiches, another coke and water, blood work and a normal EKG. the diagnosis was confirmed. Lee was hungry and dehydrated! He was discharged to go home. Unfortunately, we have not completed our clinic visit and are awaiting reports via phone next week. Meanwhile, we are enjoying some beautiful weather at the beach and all is well.
More Later...............................Brenda
Friday, March 11, 2011
March Goodness
I know we usually refer to March as "March Madness", but our lives are so good now that I must refer to March as "March Goodness"! It is so good, that right now, I do not even know where Lee is! He went outside around 9:30 this a.m. and has not returned. It is now 2:00 in the afternoon and he has now become the Lee Kanipe of the T.V. anchor, Matt Lauer as in "Where in the world is Lee Kanipe?" If you recall, several years ago, Matt L. traveled across the world and that was the title of his adventure. I did call around noon to try to locate him and remind him of his noon sugar check with insulin. He was in downtown Lincolnton buying a battery charger. Who would have guessed?
Well, he returned briefly, only to disappear again. He is enjoying his ability to move about freely and breathe freely. This is such a blessing! I joke about his wherabouts, but I am extremely overjoyed that he is able to pursue his lifestyle as before with limitations. He has been very busy meeting with interested parties who want to buy some of his farm equipment. I have to admit that I feel very sad for him when I hear him discussing the sale of his equipment. I have asked him from time to time if this is bothering him, and his response, is that he has accepted that part of his life to be gone. He is just happpy to be alive and able to return to his family, his home and his neighborhood. He reminds me that he has other interests such as golf, fishing and just enjoying his return to a normal life. I am so proud of him!
We will be returning to Duke March 17 for a bronchoscopy and all the other tests. We will leave on Friday for the beach and will stay there until the following Saturday. We are in hopes that the fungus in his lung has completely disappeared. He appears to be improved and we are hoping that it is gone.
Even though the weather is a bit cool today, we are enjoying the bursting of Spring that is blooming everywhere on the farm. The bradford pears are beginning to bloom, the weeping cherry trees are bright pink, daffodils and forsythias are like sunshine, the grass is green and the birds are singing. Aaaaah! Life..................what a wonderful gift!
More later.....................................Brenda
Well, he returned briefly, only to disappear again. He is enjoying his ability to move about freely and breathe freely. This is such a blessing! I joke about his wherabouts, but I am extremely overjoyed that he is able to pursue his lifestyle as before with limitations. He has been very busy meeting with interested parties who want to buy some of his farm equipment. I have to admit that I feel very sad for him when I hear him discussing the sale of his equipment. I have asked him from time to time if this is bothering him, and his response, is that he has accepted that part of his life to be gone. He is just happpy to be alive and able to return to his family, his home and his neighborhood. He reminds me that he has other interests such as golf, fishing and just enjoying his return to a normal life. I am so proud of him!
We will be returning to Duke March 17 for a bronchoscopy and all the other tests. We will leave on Friday for the beach and will stay there until the following Saturday. We are in hopes that the fungus in his lung has completely disappeared. He appears to be improved and we are hoping that it is gone.
Even though the weather is a bit cool today, we are enjoying the bursting of Spring that is blooming everywhere on the farm. The bradford pears are beginning to bloom, the weeping cherry trees are bright pink, daffodils and forsythias are like sunshine, the grass is green and the birds are singing. Aaaaah! Life..................what a wonderful gift!
More later.....................................Brenda
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