Reflections on 2013

As the days of 2013 run down, I'm taking a moment to reflect on what has occurred during the year. 

As January began, I was mid-way through my new job at the Intermediate level of Counseling as well as continuing with working Night/Virtual school two nights a week.  The Spring semester is extremely busy for counselors between enrollment and state testing taking most of the time.  Also in January, my docs decided that one of my anti-rejection drugs was putting stress on my kidneys and they decided to make a change back to Cellcept, one of the original ones I was on from the transplant.  This meant that I had to go back to having biopsies again to monitor rejection issues.

February to May were taken up with night school, day school responsibilities, and dealing with 3 biopsies and the annual heart cath.  All the reports came back with no rejection and levels were adjusted to where the doctors felt comfortable.

By the time I left my job in June, I was tired.  Working day and night for two years was stressful, although I loved every minute of it.  I had hoped it could prove to any doubters that I could handle an administrative position, but alas, that doesn't seem to be in my future.  (I do always find it funny that people I know that ARE administrators often ask me my opinion on things they deal with as if I was an administrator.  Oh well.)  I spent the summer with my parents doing things for them (like mowing the yard, taking one day trips, etc.) and rested.

August came way too fast, and soon I was back at work.  A couple of weeks after returning I started coughing in a persistent manner.  Television and doctors had remarked that this summer was one of the worst for allergies, so I thought that was what was going on.  I fought through it until mid-September when I finally went to my primary care doctor, who also thought it was allergy related and prescribed medication for that.  I went back a second time where I had some xrays and CT scans ran that showed nothing in the sinus area, but the coughing continued.

I knew I had a 6 month appointment with the cardio docs the first days in October, so I delayed calling them.  Looking back, that wasn't the best decision.  When I went in for the echo, even I could tell there was something wrong.  After having about 60 of those over the years, you get to know what things are supposed to sound like, and this didn't sound good.  So, when I went in for my appointment the next day, I went in with a packed bag because I had a feeling I'd be staying at my pink vacation home for a day or so.

Sure enough, the cardio guys got really excited when my ejection fraction was at 29%....considered heart failure.  Funny thing, that day was the best I had felt since early August!  I was put in the hospital and was given a biopsy that day as well as taking some fluids off and high dosages of prednisone.  The biopsy showed mild rejection (not as bad as they had feared) and after about 5 days of being in the hospital, I was released to stay home for a week away from germy kids.  I also lost about 20 lbs of fluid and about 10 pounds of fat as a result.  I did go to the Eagles concert simply because I had been looking forward to it so much and it was probably the last time they would play together in Tulsa.  So, I masked up and enjoyed the show.

I came back to work right before Fall Break so I could adjust to everything and slowly get back in the swing of things.  I have fantastic co-workers who had covered for me while I was out and felt totally supported by my administration and faculty.  I had a biopsy right after I was released that still showed some rejection, so they wanted to do another one three weeks later.  It showed one sample with rejection which the doctor felt might have been the result of contamination on the instruments he used.

November was uneventful health wise, but busy with school.  We're changing from an Intermediate to a Freshman Academy next year, and all of us in the counseling department were hoping that we could stay together as a group because we work so well together.  So, the uncertainty of that was a bit stressful.  Also, I finally started getting reduced on prednisone which also meant reduction in Insulin shots.  Since I have a medicine-induced diabetes situation, the prednisone raised my sugar levels to where I had to give myself shots when my level was above 140.  As the prednisone came down, the frequency of those shots went away.

December came in a rush.  Another biopsy was done which showed no rejection, but the docs wanted me to stay on my low level of prednisone and continue with the current medications. I'll have another biopsy and the annual heart cath the first week in March. Oklahoma got hit with a very cold snap with snow and ice, so we were out for 4 days at the worst possible time.  But, on a good note, we did find out that all 3 of us would remain at the Freshman Academy as counselors.   The last week was sent doing schedule changes for students, placing students in alternative programs, talking with parents, and doing all we could to finalize plans since that busy Spring semester was advancing rapidly.  In fact, if we are in our office 7 days total in the month of January I will be surprised!

The holidays were spent with family and I was gifted with much more that I should have been.  I am very blessed to have both parents, a supportive brother and sister-in-law, a four legged buddy, and an honorary mother-in-law to spend them with.  My mother had a little flair up with her sugar during the holidays and she still isn't feeling well.  So, I handled the Christmas Eve dinner then we went to the show and out to eat on Christmas so Robert and Susan could have a quiet day with her family. 

This week, I've been dealing with a back issue that has given me some grief.  I called one of my counseling buddies who was kind enough to come over and help me put up my Christmas decorations....again, very blessed to have such people in my life!  Tomorrow, I plan on getting out and doing a few errands then settling in for a quiet night at home. 

I know I'm lucky to have dodged a major problem with the fall medical issues.  It could have been so much worse.  It was a reminder that you can't take things for granted and to be diligent in doing what is needed to monitor your health.  As 2014 comes in, I'll face challenges like flu and exhaustion from all that has to be done, especially in January.  But hopefully, we will all get through it and begin the new challenge next Fall rested and ready.

As ever, I'm grateful to still be on this Earth and feel fortunate to have been given this opportunity by Tiffany and her family.  If you have never considered being an organ donor, please discuss it with your family and think  about becoming one.  I wouldn't still be here if Tiffany hadn't made that choice at 16 and discussed it with her family.

Here's hoping that we all have a healthy 2014.  May you and yours enjoy the rest of the holidays and each other!  Happy New Year!