Code Blue: Superman-Man of Heal

Taking a long walk yesterday with the boys. Giving them a free ride on the IV pole!

I'm going home today! Amazing since Friday, they called a code blue on me during my bronch procedure. I think I just needed a jump start. Because by saturday afternoon I was feeling much better.

This has been a long battle. I have a tendency to block things out including time, that is my coping mechanism. Before transplant especially, those two weeks were I basically was getting worse each day it simply does not seem like 2 weeks. I have been in the hospital now for 48 days. The good thing is it does not feel like that much, however as i get ready to go home the time will start to knock on my door. I will wonder how much the boys have changed, how it is almost September, the boys start first grade tomorrow!, football season is starting!, and I will think about those 48 days and ponder what is different. What is different is I now have two new lungs again. This sounds weird but these lungs just seem better and stronger, eventhough I am not breathing great yet.

Although I am able to go home, I have a long road. I still have major edema and need to shed at least 20-25 pounds of water weight. The doctors think with my kidney function being normal again I should shed it as I move around etc. which is more likely at home. I need to stay on blood thinners for awhile because of the blood clots I have. I need to watch my potassium level. The edema is mainly in my chest and upper legs. In the chest it creates pulmonary edema. So, my breathing is improved, but won't be great until I lose the edema from my chest. It is like I have a girdle on or something. when I try and take a deep breath in, a band of swelling just tightens and prevents my chest from expanding. Very annoying. Finally, I have some secondary issues like the nerve injury to my right arm. It is a mess, I have no bicep innervation yet. So, there is no bicep muscle, it is just flapped down. Some of my fingers are numb, and my forearm as well. so, it is very very weak.

But the bottom line is i am healing. I am breathing and feeling much better and moving around. I am going home on no IV's at all. however, I am nervous to take out my IV line in my chest as I have serious access issues and I know if it is pulled I will need IV meds in a week. The doctors agree it is safe to leave it in for a bit. So, we will see in two weeks or so.

Thanks for all the support. We have conquered the toughest hurdle and are ready for the next.

-Mitch