and we cough.........

It seems like these days are filled with coughing from both of us!  I am recovering from a virus that seemed determined to attack my throat and all my cough reflexes.  Lee, on the other hand, is still dealing with this persistant cough.  Even though he has had many bronchoscopies, and he has been seen by a host of pulmonary post-lung transplant specialists at Duke, the cough continues to be baffling.  In the beginning, it was attributed to an infection, then it was attributed to a fungus, then to rejection.  Each time after the treatment, the cough would subside for a short period of time only to resume again.  The last tine we presented the "cough" for discussion, Lee was told that the cough may be coming from the "old" lung, and that he might want to consider removing that lung and having a transplant on the other side!  He and I gave each other the LOOK, and quickly vetoed that suggestion.

I honestly do not believe that Lee could survive another transplant.  I must be honest in saying that I would have preferred that he had been given a double-lung-transplant in the beginning.  We did not have any control over that decision.  He was never given an option as to one lung or two.  As explained to us prior to the transplant:  After the age of 70, one lung is your only option in pulmonary fibrosis.  Lee had only turned 70 less than a month prior to the transplant.

So..............other than this nagging cough on both our parts, we are doing fine.  Lee's cough is such that he does NOT cough at night.....I DO..........His cough is unpredictable and only two or three times a day.  Mine is gradually disappearing, leaving a trace of laryngitis.  We have both tried very hard to prevent the spread of my virus to him.  We both wear masks when in close proximity and I have been wearing a mask for all times in his area and during his food preparation.  I do not mind wearing a mask since I became quite accustomed to it years ago when I worked in the operating room.  After a while, it becomes part of your body!

All in all, we are enjoying watching the changing of the season with the beauty of color.  Everwhere we look we see signs of returning life.  What an inspiration!  We are eagerly anticipating a return to the beach in the near future and spending some time with children and grandchildren.

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