Hello World!
Well it's been up and down the past couple weeks. I had a couple of days with low grade fevers. Coughing a lot, but not productive. So that gave me a sore throat and my voice sounded like a dragon. Lost my appetite for a few days. And that was all before I went out to Cleveland for my hospital follow up.
Went out to Cleveland this week for my hospital follow up. I wasn't really expecting great news, but I wasn't expecting for everything to be way worse! My lung function is down another 9%. I'm now at 40% of normal lung function for a person of my age. What the heck?!?!?! So I have no real news on what we are doing. They took some sputum and blood and they are running tests to see if they can find an infection - virus, bacteria or fungus. I got another round of chemo. Which is good and bad. It's suppose to help kill the bad antibodies in my body right now which is good, but it's killing my immune system even more which is not good and makes me more likely to catch something.
The hardest part is just hearing "We aren't really sure yet." It's too early to tell if the Rotuxin and the IVIG are helping the way they are suppose too. But with my numbers dropping still we have to start looking for another possible answer. That is by far the most frustrating thing. I just want an answer with a plan. This waiting in limbo sucks.
So as I wait for my results back from Cleveland I'll dive back into my routine. Work 2 days a week. I'm so grateful for Brian. He does so much for me. I'm not sure where I'd be without him. He works his butt off for us and then when he comes home he helps me around the house. If I'm not feeling well he takes over everything. He is the best husband. He gets it. He pushes me and encourages me to do as much as I can. At the same time he helps me whenever things get to overwhelming. I don't think he gets how much I rely on him. He is a just some kind of wonderful.
Relationships are already hard. But when you add a chronic terminal illness to the mix, that's really hard. I know Brian had no idea what he was really getting into. But I'm so thankful he has stuck around. With every new challenge we come across - which our first major challenge was 2 months into dating - instead of running away, he steps up in full force.
Here's hoping the holidays will come and go with no major events. I'm scheduled to go back out to Cleveland end of January/Early February. Until then I'm trying to stay as healthy as possible. I don't need my lung function going down any further. Instead answers as to why would be a lovely Christmas gift,
Breathe Easy
Live Life then Give Life, Please be an Organ Donor.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Thanksgiving 2016
Hello World!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I hope everyone got to spend time with loved ones whether it be in person or via technology.
I'm so thankful for so many things. My family - as dysfunctional as we are, I would t want anyone else. My friends - we may not talk everyday or even once a week, but when we do catch up it's like no time has passed. Together we have been through so much and we always seem to gravitate back to one another. Friends are your family you get to pick. Thankful for the little things - a car, a job, a house, food in my belly - having access to the basics in life.
Thankful for my questionable health. While I may not be where I want, some days are hard - really hard lately, I'm thankful to still be here to complain about it. My donor - a thank you will never be enough. My donors family - for making that choice - you are just as important. I'm alive. And that will never be taken for granted.
And I'm oh so grateful for my husband. He is a one of kind man. He can drive me crazy and make me mad but at the end of the day I want him by my side. He doesn't always see the greatness in himself. He may not be "Mr. Romantic" with flowers and such. But he does all the little things - everyday - and that means more than 1 big gesture every now and then. When I'm with him I never have to pump my own gas, open my own door, pull out my own chair, clean the snow off my car, or carry the heavy stuff. He surprises me with chips. There's always root beer in the house. Weekend mornings have become breakfast in bed days. I get "Good Morning" texts every morning we are apart. He tells me everyday I'm beautiful- even when I'm on super steroids and pretty sure I look like a chipmunk or breaking out like crazy cause of my medications or have CF belly bloat cause well my insides never cooperate. He has this way of "not caring" about my CF while still caring. He just loves me for me. And one of my absolute favorite things about Brian is singing in the car with him. I hope the jam sessions never end!
For those who work on this holiday - Thank You! Your sacrifice with your family and friends does not go unnoticed. A big thank you to the nurses who work on the holidays - As someone who has spent holidays in the hospital - it's nice to not feel alone. We all wish to be at home but you go out of your way to make us feel better while we are there.
As the weekend comes to end try and hold on to that Thankful Spirit. Remember what the holiday season is all about. Say I love you more, hug your family and friends, be grateful for what you have.
Breathe Easy
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I hope everyone got to spend time with loved ones whether it be in person or via technology.
I'm so thankful for so many things. My family - as dysfunctional as we are, I would t want anyone else. My friends - we may not talk everyday or even once a week, but when we do catch up it's like no time has passed. Together we have been through so much and we always seem to gravitate back to one another. Friends are your family you get to pick. Thankful for the little things - a car, a job, a house, food in my belly - having access to the basics in life.
Thankful for my questionable health. While I may not be where I want, some days are hard - really hard lately, I'm thankful to still be here to complain about it. My donor - a thank you will never be enough. My donors family - for making that choice - you are just as important. I'm alive. And that will never be taken for granted.
And I'm oh so grateful for my husband. He is a one of kind man. He can drive me crazy and make me mad but at the end of the day I want him by my side. He doesn't always see the greatness in himself. He may not be "Mr. Romantic" with flowers and such. But he does all the little things - everyday - and that means more than 1 big gesture every now and then. When I'm with him I never have to pump my own gas, open my own door, pull out my own chair, clean the snow off my car, or carry the heavy stuff. He surprises me with chips. There's always root beer in the house. Weekend mornings have become breakfast in bed days. I get "Good Morning" texts every morning we are apart. He tells me everyday I'm beautiful- even when I'm on super steroids and pretty sure I look like a chipmunk or breaking out like crazy cause of my medications or have CF belly bloat cause well my insides never cooperate. He has this way of "not caring" about my CF while still caring. He just loves me for me. And one of my absolute favorite things about Brian is singing in the car with him. I hope the jam sessions never end!
For those who work on this holiday - Thank You! Your sacrifice with your family and friends does not go unnoticed. A big thank you to the nurses who work on the holidays - As someone who has spent holidays in the hospital - it's nice to not feel alone. We all wish to be at home but you go out of your way to make us feel better while we are there.
As the weekend comes to end try and hold on to that Thankful Spirit. Remember what the holiday season is all about. Say I love you more, hug your family and friends, be grateful for what you have.
Breathe Easy
Monday, November 14, 2016
Day 6
Hello World!
On day 6 of being in the hospital. Although it feels like FOREVERRRR. This morning I finished my last round of Apheresis. Yayy! This afternoon or tomorrow morning I'll get my first dose of Rituxan. Rituxan is the chemo agent. The first infusion can take anywhere from 6-8 hours depending on how your body reacts to it. It has a whole bunch of fun possible side effects - as would be expected. So while I'm excited to almost be done with this, not really looking forward to this drug. Assuming I don't have any crazy reactions to it, I should be discharged tomorrow!
My biopsies from my bronch last week came back with the answers they all ready thought. So no news there. Over the course of my admission I've had potassium problems again and my kidney function is acting up. They believe these will stabilize once I'm done with all these new medications they are throwing at me. Overall things are moving in the right direction and looking good compared to a couple weeks ago.
Going forward, I've said it before but I'll say it again things will be different. A new regiment. I don't like to use the word "healthier" because that would imply I don't currently do anything right - which is not the case, I just need to do it better. Ask any patient of a chronic illness, you get lackadaisical over time. It's human nature. I need to go back to a stricter, tighter regiment like I had right after my transplant. Back to the basics. Re-instill some better habits, if you will. Because I surely do not want to be stuck out here again anytime soon!
Can't wait to get back home again!
Breathe Easy
On day 6 of being in the hospital. Although it feels like FOREVERRRR. This morning I finished my last round of Apheresis. Yayy! This afternoon or tomorrow morning I'll get my first dose of Rituxan. Rituxan is the chemo agent. The first infusion can take anywhere from 6-8 hours depending on how your body reacts to it. It has a whole bunch of fun possible side effects - as would be expected. So while I'm excited to almost be done with this, not really looking forward to this drug. Assuming I don't have any crazy reactions to it, I should be discharged tomorrow!
My biopsies from my bronch last week came back with the answers they all ready thought. So no news there. Over the course of my admission I've had potassium problems again and my kidney function is acting up. They believe these will stabilize once I'm done with all these new medications they are throwing at me. Overall things are moving in the right direction and looking good compared to a couple weeks ago.
Going forward, I've said it before but I'll say it again things will be different. A new regiment. I don't like to use the word "healthier" because that would imply I don't currently do anything right - which is not the case, I just need to do it better. Ask any patient of a chronic illness, you get lackadaisical over time. It's human nature. I need to go back to a stricter, tighter regiment like I had right after my transplant. Back to the basics. Re-instill some better habits, if you will. Because I surely do not want to be stuck out here again anytime soon!
Can't wait to get back home again!
Breathe Easy
Friday, November 11, 2016
Stuck in Cleveland
Hello World!
Well things weren't any better. I'm stuck in Cleveland for now. My lung function dropped another 10% since I was here just a few weeks ago. So over the course of a month or so I've lost 25% of my overall lung function. NOT GOOD! Big red flag.
Good news, we have a plan!
The plan is to do 3 rounds of Apheresis. I'll try and explain this the best way I can, Apheresis is a therapy that circulates all the blood in my body. Basically my body is making "bad plasma" that's causing rejection, and this machine filters out the "bad" and gives me back "good plasma." Once I'm done those 3 rounds of Apheresis, I'm going to be given a chemo agent (I don't remember the name of it) via an IV. Then for the next 6 months I'll need to see my local Dr and get this chemo IV once a month. Hopefully once all that is done this acute rejection will be gone. It's a long road, but what's life without a little struggle? After all said and done, best case scenario will be my lung function goes back up! But at least this should stop it from declining. If it keeps declining, it's back to the drawing board - and let's not g down that road yet.
So at the moment I'm sitting in a Cleveland Clinic hospital bed. The plan is to be discharged Tuesday or Wednesday next week - assuming everything goes as planned. So it feels like forever away. I miss Brian and my pups. I find hospital stays are "harder" these days - and I think it's cause I know I have Brian at home. I didn't have anyone else before to really "come home to." So it's bittersweet. I will say technology makes things better, I can still see his face every night with FaceTime - which helps.
Other than that, life is going just peachy! Hopefully I'll be back up and running like my usual self in no time.
Breathe Easy
Well things weren't any better. I'm stuck in Cleveland for now. My lung function dropped another 10% since I was here just a few weeks ago. So over the course of a month or so I've lost 25% of my overall lung function. NOT GOOD! Big red flag.
Good news, we have a plan!
The plan is to do 3 rounds of Apheresis. I'll try and explain this the best way I can, Apheresis is a therapy that circulates all the blood in my body. Basically my body is making "bad plasma" that's causing rejection, and this machine filters out the "bad" and gives me back "good plasma." Once I'm done those 3 rounds of Apheresis, I'm going to be given a chemo agent (I don't remember the name of it) via an IV. Then for the next 6 months I'll need to see my local Dr and get this chemo IV once a month. Hopefully once all that is done this acute rejection will be gone. It's a long road, but what's life without a little struggle? After all said and done, best case scenario will be my lung function goes back up! But at least this should stop it from declining. If it keeps declining, it's back to the drawing board - and let's not g down that road yet.
Getting a round of Apheresis
The machine that filters my blood
So at the moment I'm sitting in a Cleveland Clinic hospital bed. The plan is to be discharged Tuesday or Wednesday next week - assuming everything goes as planned. So it feels like forever away. I miss Brian and my pups. I find hospital stays are "harder" these days - and I think it's cause I know I have Brian at home. I didn't have anyone else before to really "come home to." So it's bittersweet. I will say technology makes things better, I can still see his face every night with FaceTime - which helps.
Other than that, life is going just peachy! Hopefully I'll be back up and running like my usual self in no time.
Breathe Easy
Friday, November 4, 2016
Not Awesome
Hello World!
Well things aren't wonderful.
I'm a stubborn person. Have been my whole life. I'm opinionated and I know what I want. That can make me a difficult patient. Don't get me wrong I have an EXCELLENT relationship with my team of doctors. So great in fact I have personal cell phones I can call if I ever need anything. With that being said we've had our go arounds with what is "right" for me. Everyone is different.
A few weeks ago I went out to Cleveland for a transplant follow up. Things did not go the way I hoped. My lung function was way down. 15% from my baseline actually. Immediate red flag. My blood work also showed signs of new "bugs." These things called Donor Specific Antibodies (DSA) popped up. These are not good. It means my donated lungs are creating antibodies to fight my natural cells - basically rejection. SO I have to go back to Cleveland on the 9th of November for another lung function test, more blood work, chest x-ray, and a bronchoscope. During the bronch they will biopsy my lungs and be able to tell how serious the rejection is. Acute rejection is the "good" kind. Chronic rejection is harder to treat. But i won't really know anymore until then. In the mean time I'm on high dose prednisone, which is a steroid. Prednisone makes me hungry all the time, along with keeping me awake at night cause my brain wont shut off and makes me moody. I'm very grateful for Brian for dealing with me the last few weeks. Its been crazy.
On top of that stuff, the past few days have been rough. Ive been more short of breathe and extremely tired. So off to the doctors I went. Well thanks to the high dose prednisone my sugar levels have been sky high - which we have decided is the root of this latest issues. They also made do a "walk test," which is where they hook you up the 02 monitor and make you walk around to see how your 02 levels do. We discovered doing this that my 02 level drop down when I'm exerting myself. SOOOOOOOOOO I been banished from working until I go see Cleveland and get this rejection under control.
Most people would love a letter from the doctor saying they can miss work for a little bit. But Ive already put in that time - years for that matter. I want to work. Don't get me wrong there are days i wake up and grumble about having to go to work BUT I'm glad I can get up and go work. It gives me some purpose in my day. So it drives me crazy that I'm not allowed to go to work. I HATE being told that. I'm all about proving you wrong. Don't put limits on my life. I'll break them every time.
So reluctantly I'll listen to the Drs and stay home for a few days and soak in my puppy therapy. But i cant wait to get back out to Cleveland and figure this mess out. I'm ready to feel good again and get this back on track. Tired of being sick and tired. I'll update again as soon as I know more.
Breathe Easy
Well things aren't wonderful.
I'm a stubborn person. Have been my whole life. I'm opinionated and I know what I want. That can make me a difficult patient. Don't get me wrong I have an EXCELLENT relationship with my team of doctors. So great in fact I have personal cell phones I can call if I ever need anything. With that being said we've had our go arounds with what is "right" for me. Everyone is different.
A few weeks ago I went out to Cleveland for a transplant follow up. Things did not go the way I hoped. My lung function was way down. 15% from my baseline actually. Immediate red flag. My blood work also showed signs of new "bugs." These things called Donor Specific Antibodies (DSA) popped up. These are not good. It means my donated lungs are creating antibodies to fight my natural cells - basically rejection. SO I have to go back to Cleveland on the 9th of November for another lung function test, more blood work, chest x-ray, and a bronchoscope. During the bronch they will biopsy my lungs and be able to tell how serious the rejection is. Acute rejection is the "good" kind. Chronic rejection is harder to treat. But i won't really know anymore until then. In the mean time I'm on high dose prednisone, which is a steroid. Prednisone makes me hungry all the time, along with keeping me awake at night cause my brain wont shut off and makes me moody. I'm very grateful for Brian for dealing with me the last few weeks. Its been crazy.
On top of that stuff, the past few days have been rough. Ive been more short of breathe and extremely tired. So off to the doctors I went. Well thanks to the high dose prednisone my sugar levels have been sky high - which we have decided is the root of this latest issues. They also made do a "walk test," which is where they hook you up the 02 monitor and make you walk around to see how your 02 levels do. We discovered doing this that my 02 level drop down when I'm exerting myself. SOOOOOOOOOO I been banished from working until I go see Cleveland and get this rejection under control.
Most people would love a letter from the doctor saying they can miss work for a little bit. But Ive already put in that time - years for that matter. I want to work. Don't get me wrong there are days i wake up and grumble about having to go to work BUT I'm glad I can get up and go work. It gives me some purpose in my day. So it drives me crazy that I'm not allowed to go to work. I HATE being told that. I'm all about proving you wrong. Don't put limits on my life. I'll break them every time.
So reluctantly I'll listen to the Drs and stay home for a few days and soak in my puppy therapy. But i cant wait to get back out to Cleveland and figure this mess out. I'm ready to feel good again and get this back on track. Tired of being sick and tired. I'll update again as soon as I know more.
Breathe Easy
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Update
Hello World!!
Well its been a while since I've been on here. Life gets crazy sometimes. I'm going to try and post more regularly... I know I know I've said that before. But really I will!
One of the biggest changes that has happened in my life is Brian and I bought a house!!! So exciting. I never thought in a million years I would own my own home. Its such a luxury in life. We are very proud and excited.
Personally, we celebrate 1 year of marriage back in August. That was awesome as well. We made it through year 1. It definitely had its bumps along the way but we stuck together and made it through.
Sometimes, even small things, can get so blown out of proportion and ruin things. Its important in marriage - and life in general - to try and not let the little things tear you apart. You can disagree, thats normal. But at the end of the day we still said I love you - and meant it. Marriage is a lot of work. Its not for the faint of heart.
All 3 of the dogs are doing great! They are loving the new space they have to run. Kona and Hemi are gearing up to finally start agility. Its exciting. I think they are both going to love it!
As for news on the baby front - its still a work in progress. After visiting several doctors and specialist and hearing what their opinions were Brian and I decided there were a few things we needed to fix personally - together - before we bring children into this world. This past year we have grown a lot as a couple and set up some foundations in the family tree. There is a lot to consider and we aren't taking any chances.
Overall my health is doing well. I managed to escape last winter with no pneumonia. I'm hoping for the same thing!
Well a short, quick, to the point update for now. Since I don't have much to rant about health wise you just might start seeing my opinion on random things i feel are important to share.
Much Love world - We need it these days.
Breathe Easy
Well its been a while since I've been on here. Life gets crazy sometimes. I'm going to try and post more regularly... I know I know I've said that before. But really I will!
One of the biggest changes that has happened in my life is Brian and I bought a house!!! So exciting. I never thought in a million years I would own my own home. Its such a luxury in life. We are very proud and excited.
Personally, we celebrate 1 year of marriage back in August. That was awesome as well. We made it through year 1. It definitely had its bumps along the way but we stuck together and made it through.
Sometimes, even small things, can get so blown out of proportion and ruin things. Its important in marriage - and life in general - to try and not let the little things tear you apart. You can disagree, thats normal. But at the end of the day we still said I love you - and meant it. Marriage is a lot of work. Its not for the faint of heart.
All 3 of the dogs are doing great! They are loving the new space they have to run. Kona and Hemi are gearing up to finally start agility. Its exciting. I think they are both going to love it!
As for news on the baby front - its still a work in progress. After visiting several doctors and specialist and hearing what their opinions were Brian and I decided there were a few things we needed to fix personally - together - before we bring children into this world. This past year we have grown a lot as a couple and set up some foundations in the family tree. There is a lot to consider and we aren't taking any chances.
Overall my health is doing well. I managed to escape last winter with no pneumonia. I'm hoping for the same thing!
Well a short, quick, to the point update for now. Since I don't have much to rant about health wise you just might start seeing my opinion on random things i feel are important to share.
Much Love world - We need it these days.
Breathe Easy
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