April 2007

April 2007

Wednesday 25th April

I was quite nervous though, as the day before - my lung function dropped...gulp..then on the day...shot up again!? My lung function is still not as high as my consultant will like it to be, and thinks that the virus I suffered from in January - may have damaged my lungs? I asked how this would affect my quality of life...to which I was told.."well you won't be able to play a game of squash"..I presume because it is full on cardio/stamina?? But...I responded...that my quality of life is so much better and I can breathe and have no collapsed lungs - so I am happy. Besides, I can still exercise - and I am dancing - which means more to me than playing a game of squash! 

And if my lung function is to remain as it is...and not like a normal person's or someone's post transplant...well as I said..it's more than enough for me. And I can do enough for me to be content with life and relish what time I have left with my extension on life. 

Other news..some time ago - I mentioned a project that I am working on.....and that is....a CALENDER for 2008!!!!....of me with some male hunks..lucky me-eh!!??..to which funds will go towards LamAction...so watch this space...and when complete - I hope that you will buy a calender..thankyou. 

Hmm....I'm off to my dance class now..so keep smiling everyone. And I wish those not well - to get better soon ....and those still waiting, that your call comes very soon!! xx

 Sunday 22nd April

Due to an technical errors this entry has been lost and efforrts are being made to retrieve this entry.

15th April
Oh my goodness, I cannot believe that 6 weeks has nearly passed - and that my next visit to Hospital is Thursday next week!! At times, I kept thinking that I would need to ring due to slight variations in my lung function. However, it seems to have stabilised..and I hope all goes well on Thursday.

I would be lying - if I didn't say that I was nervous regarding the outcome...and the word "rejection" mentioned again. I had a lucky escape in January from the rare virus that left me fighting for my health again for 3 weeks in hospital. I do feel blessed that nearly 8 months on from my transplant - my life has been simply amazing.

I recently went away to a health farm to get pampered..which by now you all know that I love doing...ha haa! Sometimes, I feel I am suffering from post shock...and when talking to people..like people can't believe me when I tell them. I need to refer to the dent in my neck left from being on life support. Was it really me - that had to learn to walk again after waking up from life support after wasting away? Was it really me in that wheelchair unable to walk? Was it really me on oxygen 24 hours a day? Was it really me fighting for my life each time my lung collapsed and I couldn't breathe? So...you can see why I suffer a bit from post shock..as now I seem so well and healthy!!??

A couple of weeks ago..I took part in a dance show....one that I was unsure about doing. Tears of joy filled me inside - without my new lungs - I would never have been able to do so..let alone be alive!

Sorry for leaving such a long gap from my last diary entry..live has been so busy and simply great having a long break from hospital instead of my weekly visits!

Speak soon and keep smiling everyone! xx

 
1st April
Woohoo...first day of a new month...and I will not be playing any pranks...so all is safe...phew..ha ha!!

I thought, I would so something a bit different - and go through my tablets - and show the decrease over time. After my transplant, I was on anything and everything as below shows:-(daily basis)

Magnesium - 6 tablets (vitamin supplement)

Co-Codamol - 8 tablets (pain relief)

Co-Trimoxizole - 1 tablet (fights bacterial infections)

Metodopramide - 2 tablets (anti-sickness)

Ranitide - 2 tablets (stomach liner)

Aciclovir - 10 tablets (fights viruses)

Citalopram - 1 tablet (anti-depressant)

Nystatin - 4 drops (fights fungal infections)

Azithromycin - 1 tablet (fights infections too)

Ferrous Sulphate - 3 tablets (iron supplement)

MMF - 4 tablets (immuno-suppressant)

Tacrolimus - 10 tablets (immuno-suppresant)

Prednisone - 2 tablets (steriod)

Total Daily tablet intake = 50 tablets!!! (NB: Also, 1 tablet a week called, Alendronic - fights osteoporosis)

Over the last 8 months..there have been various changes to amounts being higher or lower due to infections/immune system, and also some tablets being stopped altogether.

And now...my daily intake is:-

Co-Trimoxizol - 1 tablet

Prednisone - 2 tablets

MMF - 4 tablets

Tacrolimus - 7 tablets

Azithromycin - 3 tablets (a week)

Alendronic - 1 tablet (a week)

So total daily now = 14!!!! And total for the week = 18 tablets...woohoo..as opposed to the 50 that I started with!!!

Also, bearing in mind...I still do 2 different types of nebulisers both in the morning and night...and hopefully this will now cease in June, and give me more of my day back.

Well.... if you ever take a tablet for a headache...think of me...ha haa...and my daily drug intake...also with the weight, temperature, and spirometry lung readings that I need to do every day forever ...to detect any changes in my own health - as to whether I need to ring the hospital or not. Phew!!! Simply writing this has tired me out...he hee.

All else has been going really well, and I can't grumble. Just so happy to be alive and start to appreciate life - that I had missed out on...as I was dying prior to the transplant. I am still deciding on things that I would like to do with my new lease on life....and to enjoy each and every day - that my new lungs will give me.

Keep smiling and have a HAPPY EASTER!!! XX