Stomach Bug

Well, I got home on Sunday. The IV steroids were fine but something happened to my stomach while I was in the hospital. I threw up like 5 times in the hospital, 3 times on my way home and then a couple other times this week. I had horrible stomach pains and GI cramps. Last night, I was awake most of the night in pain plus had my first fever post transplant. I was a little scared and freaked out. I call B&W today and they want me to call and see them if the fever returns over 100.4. The nurse said that something is going around and I probably picked it up.

My lungs feel great. I still have some sternum pain. I will be glad when that is gone. The pain is a different type of pain that I have felt before. It is like a burning feeling. Tylenol seems to get me through the day but by evening I have had enough and take 1/2 of a pain pill. It helps take the edge off.

Brian and I are going to camp this weekend. We both took a few extra days off. The weather looks great. Most of my family will be up there too. This will be my first trip up to camp since September. I am excited to do the things I haven't been able to in years. I wish that my pain was 100% gone but I know it will come in time.

Little Bump in the road

Any one who has gone through a transplant knows the journey is full of ups and downs. I got a call from my nurse coordinator at the transplant clinic today and I have mild A2 acute rejection found with my biopsy on Tuesday. I don't really feel much different other than a little tired, I breathe a little harder walking up hills and a little pain in my lower ribs/lungs (not really sure where the pain is coming from). So i will be going to Boston for 3 days for IV steroids. This is a little bump in the road and I have nothing but positive thoughts about this. I am so glad we bumped up my biopsy. Thank God for Dr. DD. LOL! She is the one that suggested it after a 5% drop in my lung functions.

This will make the third trip to Boston this week. I should just change my residence. Luckily, I love my transplant clinic and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

My scar is healing and fading nicely, I will post some pictures next week.

I am so happy to say that James got his transplant at PENN yesterday and already has his vent out. I am so excited for him and his family. Thank God for donors and their families.

I got out and went for a nice head clearing walk. Along the way, I stopped at the lake and played with my dogs for about half hour. I really needed a little time to myself.

i am hoping that these steroids make me feel better than I could imagine. I knew last week before I did my PFTs that they would be down. That must have been a sign for me. I guess I need to learn to listen to my body and figure out what it is trying to tell me. This is so different that the past but so worth it. I still would not change anything! I was always told, what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. I am a true believer in that!

New Beginnings

It has been almost two months since my transplant. It is time to start over again. I will be returning back to work on May 17th. Even though I will be working from home, it is still a step in the right direction. I also have started the paperwork for my Non-profit. My deadline to get my business plan done is May 24th. Let's see how I do.

I have been pretty committed to walking everyday. The only days I don't are the days that I have out of town doctor's appointments or go shopping. I haven't been able to start jogging yet because of the sternum. My new goal to start a run/walk program is June 3rd. Hopefully, I will be healed enough to start then. Since I am currently walking every day I am hoping the transition to jogging will be smooth.

Ten months ago, I never thought I would be walking 2-3 miles every day without getting out of breath. I feel so blessed and think of my donor every day as I do the things that I haven't done in years. God bless the donor family for following though with my donors wishes.