Positive reports from Duke!

Lee and I returned to Duke on March 1st, for his routine testing.  Even though his pulmonary function tests were still decreased, the percentage of decrease was only 1%.  That is the good news....the bad news is that it has held at a 1% decrease for many months.  Unfortunately, that may be an indication of scar tissue in his new lung from all the previous infections he has had and most of all from the round of rejection that he had in August and September of last year.

So...................because of this test, the pulmonary doctors ( and we were fortunate to have the two who are involved with the research in lung rejection), decided that it would be in Lee's best interest to begin a pro-active aggressive therapy of anti-rejection medication to hopefully prevent another round of rejection.  As explained to us, they want to prevent his going into chronic rejection, which is usually irreversible and can be terminal.  His current medication, Myfortic, was again doubled, and he is on an antibiotic three times weekly.  Hopefully this will increases his chances of avoiding another round of rejection and prevent an exposure to infection due to the reduced immunity.

We are glad that he is being treated more aggressively and we are hoping this will lessen the persistant cough that has plagued him for the past six months.  It will take Lee a couple of weeks to adjust to the increase in medication because in the beginning it seems to zap all his energy.  He is aware of this and knows that eventually he will adjust.  In the meantime, we are both aware that his immune system is more compromised and we will have to be more alert to his surroundings to people, and the early Spring with all the pollen surrounding us!

We did receive the good news on Monday that his biopsy was negative!  No rejection, No infection!  He will return to Duke in May for labs and a doctor visit.  No Bronchoscopy this time!  Our plans now are to coincide that visit on Friday, March 11 with our neice, Michelle Sever's graduation with her doctorate degree on Saturday morning.  We will return home and celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday.

All in all, Lee is doing very well.  He now looks more like he did prior to his illness, in that his weight gain is good.  The good news from Duke was an approval for him to have his vegetable garden this year.  He is restricted from using the tractor to plow the garden, but was given the o.k. to plant and harvest as long as he uses his industrial mask.  He was delighted to get the approval and is looking forward to his garden and to working with his bees. 

So now, we are enjoying our lives as they are....some restrictions, but so much better each day.  We are grateful for every moment we have with our families and friends and for the ability to use our time wisely.  Our family continues to grow............we are blessed!

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