Finally time for a proper update!

Taken today 8/2/10 UNC Hospital Day 12 post Double-Double


Hello everyone!



Well, depending upon how you look at it, this is day 11 0r day 12 post transpant. As Reba, so eloquently writes I was taken for the second transplant early evening on the 21st of July, out of the operating room in the am hours of the 22nd, only to return again for a few hours that afternoon. I have no obvious recollection of any of this, my first recollection is really the breathing tube being pulled mid-day friday the 23rd. That we can agree was 10 days ago. I have had a successful 10 days so far and overall. Yes, there have been a few setbacks, namely the other day, where I started to have an overall weak feeling, my white blood cell count was elevated, and I was just not breathing as well. Dr. Veeramachaneni (one of the other main surgeons) was all over it and ordered a CT scan. It showed a pocket of fluid towards my back ribcage area on the left side. So, off to the Interventional Radiology where they had to put another chest-tube into that area to drain it. This 2 days after getting one tube pulled. So, back to 4 tubes, however this one is in my back and is quite uncomfortable, but luckily a bit smaller. The tube immediately drained like a cup of old blood etc. and continues to do so at a slow pace. Yesterday, sunday, I felt horrible, It was like a rebound day I hope. I could barely get out of bed and had very limited energy and swelling. But I was also still weaning off some meds, no more epidural, no more morphine pump. Last night was much better and today have seemed to have turned a corner with my breathing and it feels as though it is getting stronger. So, they pulled a chest tube today! Back down to 3.



Progress is being made. It is very different this time in a few areas. I have much more swelling in certain parts of my body, my feet, ankles, my stomach and sides, and lower back. Not sure why I have the edema this time, but it is uncomfortable. It fluctuates. However, the pain associated with my chest and the ability to walk and move is much easier this time around.



One complication that is becoming slightly serious is what appears to be another nerve compression injury. This time to my right brachial plexus. But basically, my right arm bicep will not work at all, progressively my forearm is becoming more swollen and painful, and my thumb, index, and middle finger are very numb and painful. This has been getting steadily worse. Neurology is looking into this, but it is always going to take a back seat to the lung options, that is understandable, however the rate it is worsening is alarming, so tomorrow, I will have to address it more. If this was the only issue for someone they would be freaking out.



Not sure what tomorrow might bring, hopefully breathing continues to get better, swelling subsides, and my arm and circulation gets addressed a bit. Thanks so much for people who reached out to Rebecca and helped her through this. She has been the perfect spouse, caretaker, and mother through this. No one has her strength, understanding or compassion. My mom too needs some thanks as well. She has made sure, with Rebecca that I made it through this not alone and that the docs are constantly watching me.



I hope to post more frequently. It is great to be able to breathe again! I feel these lungs are stronger and fit better and should find this out in the next few weeks.



-Mitch