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Post by stargazer on Jan 26, 2009 23:39:37 GMT -5
We have started another week....
We had a CT scan scheduled for this afternoon and we were going to try to fit in our regular rehab afterwards but after waiting an hour we told the scanner was broken. They took us to another scanner and we finally did get it but missed our rehab appt. They are very serious about the exercise part of the program so we did check in just to let them know what happened.
Things were quite busy here on the weekend, they did one double lung transplant and 2 singles!! This makes the total for January 10!! The official list says 61 waiting.
This news was a much needed boost to the group. I think the January blahs have hit along with colds etc. The weather has made it difficult to get out, not snow but the cold. For the caregivers its much easier but that cold air just doesn't sit well if you can't breath to start with. One brave lady and I went to explore a new mall and her oxygen tube all but froze!
One of our group is leaving this week to go home, there is a mixture of happy and sad for us. He has been an inspiration for those waiting, always encouraging and willing to share his own journey. I hope that promises made are promises kept and that we do meet again.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jan 28, 2009 7:14:21 GMT -5
The cold has been hard on e'one this year Kathy.
Last week you mentioned a fellow that just had his transplant done. Any word on how he's doing?
There must be a kind of bittersweetness when a person leaves...you said "I hope that promises made are promises kept and that we do meet again." I wonder if in fact fpeople do stay in touch or if it's all something they just want to put behind them.
I think I'll ask Melody about that.....it's been well over a year now for her.
I'm also curious why they would do "single" tx's. Is it becasue the one lung isn't "diseased enough" and if so, why even do a tx in the first place; there are a number of people who survive on one lung. Or is an availiability issue?
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Post by stargazer on Jan 28, 2009 10:24:30 GMT -5
The fellow I mentioned last week is still not doing very well. He is still under some sedation...On a brighter note there were 3 transplants done this weekend, one double (have no word on this one) and 2 singles (same donor).
One of the recepients of the single is doing amazing, he was out of ICU in 24 hrs and into stepdown. The other one had complications and had to have a second surgery due to fluid around her heart and lung (i got that info from her sister in law who is her caregiver). She is on the mend now but still in ICU.
We asked the surgeon about single lung vs double and he told us that you would feel like you did 25 yrs ago with a single! Availability is definitly an issue. The old lung left behind will have no affect on the new lung as they do leave that there. There are some illnesses that require 2 lungs , COPD is not of those. (double is great but single will be just fine) we joked that we are looking for a large double double but a large single single will be ok....
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