Rejection

Lee and I were hoping we would not have to write a blog titled "Rejection", but then again, we were advised in the beginning that it is not IF your will reject, but WHEN.  We are now experiencing the WHEN.

We were here at Duke last week for a check-up and follow-up post infection for the past two months.  Last Friday he had the usual lab, breathing tests and a bronchoscopy.  We were told at that time that his breathing test were down and showed some reduced air flow in the smaller respiratory areas.  His lab work is beginning to show some increased levels of creatinine and his blood potassium is too high.  We could not get the reports from the bronchoscopy until Tuesday so we decided to go on to the beach for a few days.  That was a good decision.  The weather was beautiful and Lee and I were able to have a really good respite from the bumps in the road that he has had to experience lately.

He was admitted to Duke Hospital this afternoon and will begin the agressive globulin (HgT) treatment in the morning.  He will have to be monitored closely with one on one nursing.....lots of lab tests and stats.  He will be observed closely for any adverse reaction to this treatment.  Reactions can range from mild to severe.  It is unique to each individual, so each is cared for in case of a severe reaction.  He will remain on contact isolation while this is being done.

All in all, it has been a good 10 months since he was discharged in October last year.  We have enjoyed family gatherings, dinners with friends and to church when we think it is safe.  Lee has steadily become more and more independent and now he functions very much as he did prior to his illness and transplant.  He loves to get in his truck and go wherever he pleases.  I'm sure he misses work on the farm and I know some of the decisions he had to make were difficult.  He sold all his cows and leased all the farmland to a neighbor.  To date he has sold all of his farm equipment with the exception of his two favorite tractors and some other small pieces of useful equipment.  He wanted to do a garden, but finally decided it was too stressful to try to tell others how to do it the way he wanted, so eventually left it alone. 

Lee continues to go to the rehab unit at Catawba three days a week and his strength is returning.  Getting his legs back has been the most difficult.  In talking to others who have had lung transplants, we have discovered that others have the same loss of strength in their legs.

I have to say that it is good to know you are there tonight, blog followers......it is hard to stay in the condo without Lee....very lonely.  We have been "joined by the hip" for almost two years now!

I had to close the blog when my book was sent to the publisher.  One of their requirements as dictated by the contract.  If you are interested in my book:
Check the web site:  publishamerica.com
Mention my name:
Title of my book:   Now We Have Hope

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