Connections

I don't remember if I have shared with you the connections we continue to have with others who have had lung transplants.  I will explain:  During our first month in Durham, I was fortunate to meet a group of caregivers whose loved ones had already had their lung transplants, and were in the rehabilitative stages.  One of the wives compiled an e-mail address list that has now grown to over 40 contacts.  Lee and I are  part of the contact group, and are able to receive and share stories and events that surround his continuing recovery.

This has been a valuable tool, because it helps prepare us for some unforseen complications that may occur and it also allows us to share and give feed-back to others who may have been or are experiencing the same "bump in the road" as these crisis are referred to.  I have to admit though, I do have ambivilent feelings sometimes when I have learned of  more serious complications of one of our former asquaintances.  There have been some, and of course that tends to put us on guard.

Post lung transplant, in addition to all the precautions related to coming in contact with various infective organisms, we must deal with the adverse effects of the anti-rejection drugs.  These drugs are a necessary part of keeping Lee from rejecting his lung, however, the drugs are also very harmful to his body.  The kidneys and liver are the ones @ highest risk.  We pay close attention to all his lab reports for any signs of the beginning of kidney or liver damage.  We have also learned that the longer the length of time post lung transplant, the more we must participate in being pro-active and iniating calls to Duke rather than waiting for them to contact us.

Each person is unique and the way their bodies respond to the drugs is also unique.  Some may do very well and live a fairly normal life while others may have extreme adverse effects of the drugs on their bodies.   So far, Lee is doing amazingly well.  The medical team was impressed with how well he did on the RATG treatment for rejection.  He rebounded with strength and vigor that we had not seen for a long time.  We pay close attention to all his labs and contact Duke for any adjustment in medication as soon as possible.  Lee is an amazing person and was gifted with a strong, healthy body prior to his illness.  He had been careful during his life to not abuse his body with overindulging bad habits. He was physically fit from hard work, and prior to that from all the athletics he maintained through 33 years of officiating basketball, and 40 years of officiating football.  I believe his lifestyle contributed to his recovery..........................that along with his fierce determination, strong will power, faith and the prayers from so many of you. 

During his intense battle for recovery @ Baptist (prior to the transplant), one of the doctors told him that if he could take Lee's determination and will power to recover, and put it in a bottle, he could cure a lot of patients!   There you go...................Our Lee!

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