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If you've been reading my blog you might remember the guy who called out of the blue prior to my transplant and helped me understand what I was facing, then followed up by coming to the hospital and staying with my friends and family as the transplant happened. Chuck is a very positive man, full of faith and energized to do all he can to help transplant families.
I had not see Chuck at clinic in about a year, and only saw him for a few minutes at Dick Thomason's funeral in the fall. At that time I thought he looked a little thinner and tired, but funerals of transplant patients is often hard on we transplant people so I didn't think much of it.
About two weeks ago I received an email from the transplant support group that informed us that Chuck was in ICU with a bacterial infection from his chemo for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He is 16 years out this month. See, if you survive the first 5-7 years without major complications from the transplant the next hurdle you will face will be the side effects of the medications we have to take to keep from rejecting.
It is not unusual for transplant patients to have another organ fail (usually liver or kidney if you've had a heart transplant) or develop cancer related issues. Thus why we continue to go in and have blood work done every couple of months. Not that they can detect cancer that way, but they can monitor liver and kidney failure.
In my family, we have a big history of cancer. Half of my mother's siblings have died from a very aggressive cancer....and two of her cousins as well. On my father's side, he just lost a sister who battled leukemia for many years as well as losing an eye to cancer. My father has survived prostrate cancer and my brother has survived the same non-Hodgkin's cancer that Chuck is dealing with. So, I know my odds are not good in this area. The medication has already made me a slight diabetic so I can tell the effects are starting.
But, I've decided to just take the attitude of living each day the best I can. I can't control if I develop cancer and there really isn't much I can do about it except get all the yearly tests that I have to do. I could be in constant worry and run scared, or I can just go out and enjoy the extra time that I have been granted.
I vote to enjoy the extra time. I think Chuck would agree. He is the father of two boys, married to a wonderful lady, a dedicated Christian, and a good friend. Please remember him in your prayers.....I do.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Heart Cath #10
Try as I might to get out of it, Dr.E insisted that we do a heart cath to check for coronary artery disease (CAD) and check the measurements of the valves, chambers, and look over the "connections" with all the plumbing from the transplant. So, bright and early yesterday off the folks and I went to the "Pink Palace" where I seem to spend a great deal of my vacation time to "get 'er done"!
I have very small veins and arteries so putting in an IV is a great adventure. Luckily enough, they only had to stick me twice to find one that would work....much better than the black and blue forearms that usually appear on both arms. They hydrated me with an IV then took me down to the cath lab. Saw a couple of familiar faces (you can't help it when you've visited so often) and caught up with them. Luckily, Dr. E found no major issues and used a "plug" on the femoral artery so that I didn't have to lay flat for 4-6 hours to make sure it sealed off. I arrived at 6:30 am and left at 12:30 am. I spent most of the day sleeping and today am pretty sore and stiff. I've just showered and removed the covering patch over the incision area and will be homebound for another 24 hours (no driving for 48 hours and no lifting over 10 lbs for a week) so it looks like it will be NASCAR and basketball for the day...with a few naps thrown in!
With the exception of the high triglycerides, all is going well. Doc asked to cut down on my stress (yeah, right...school counseling sure lets that happen...especially at this time of the year!) and to try to work out a bit more. But, after looking around the clinic room and hearing the nurse tell me that I am taking very good care of my heart, I can't help but think that I'm doing pretty well. The average heart transplant patient lives @ 10-12 years and I'm halfway through that already. Here's to hoping that I can make it to 20!
I have very small veins and arteries so putting in an IV is a great adventure. Luckily enough, they only had to stick me twice to find one that would work....much better than the black and blue forearms that usually appear on both arms. They hydrated me with an IV then took me down to the cath lab. Saw a couple of familiar faces (you can't help it when you've visited so often) and caught up with them. Luckily, Dr. E found no major issues and used a "plug" on the femoral artery so that I didn't have to lay flat for 4-6 hours to make sure it sealed off. I arrived at 6:30 am and left at 12:30 am. I spent most of the day sleeping and today am pretty sore and stiff. I've just showered and removed the covering patch over the incision area and will be homebound for another 24 hours (no driving for 48 hours and no lifting over 10 lbs for a week) so it looks like it will be NASCAR and basketball for the day...with a few naps thrown in!
With the exception of the high triglycerides, all is going well. Doc asked to cut down on my stress (yeah, right...school counseling sure lets that happen...especially at this time of the year!) and to try to work out a bit more. But, after looking around the clinic room and hearing the nurse tell me that I am taking very good care of my heart, I can't help but think that I'm doing pretty well. The average heart transplant patient lives @ 10-12 years and I'm halfway through that already. Here's to hoping that I can make it to 20!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
6 Year Eval
I finally had a chance to get to clinic today. My original appointment was the day of Oklahoma's "Snow-maggedon of '11" so they asked to move me back to my Spring Break since I appeared to be doing well. All my bloodwork came back in great shape except for triglycerides which were high so I have to watch my carbs. I got scolded for not working out as much as I should but for the most part, Doc E. was very pleased with how I've progressed.
I had hoped to avoid having the heart cath but alas, that is scheduled for Friday. This will be my 9th one since my initial heart problem diagnosis with each one getting a little more difficult to get over. The groin can only take so many punctures before it gets sore!
But as I sat in clinic today and watched some of my fellow heart transplant patients stream in, I felt very lucky. Some of the patients had been in and out of the hospital in recent weeks, some were having to go back and have biopsy tests again, some were not doing well at all. To some degree I felt very guilty, but I also realize how quickly things can change and how fast I could be in their place.
Life is fickle. I've watched the newscasts of the earthquake and tsumani in Japan and have seen video of people who were just living their normal day be washed away by the waters as they tried to move to higher ground. When they woke up that morning they had no idea it would be their last on this Earth. I relate this to organ donors who often are victims of car or shooting accidents. They didn't know when they awoke one morning that their day might end with their family making the decision to donate their organs. It just goes to show that all of us need to live our lives the best we can, doing all we can to make the world better for others. One morning, it might be our last day. How would we be remembered?
I had hoped to avoid having the heart cath but alas, that is scheduled for Friday. This will be my 9th one since my initial heart problem diagnosis with each one getting a little more difficult to get over. The groin can only take so many punctures before it gets sore!
But as I sat in clinic today and watched some of my fellow heart transplant patients stream in, I felt very lucky. Some of the patients had been in and out of the hospital in recent weeks, some were having to go back and have biopsy tests again, some were not doing well at all. To some degree I felt very guilty, but I also realize how quickly things can change and how fast I could be in their place.
Life is fickle. I've watched the newscasts of the earthquake and tsumani in Japan and have seen video of people who were just living their normal day be washed away by the waters as they tried to move to higher ground. When they woke up that morning they had no idea it would be their last on this Earth. I relate this to organ donors who often are victims of car or shooting accidents. They didn't know when they awoke one morning that their day might end with their family making the decision to donate their organs. It just goes to show that all of us need to live our lives the best we can, doing all we can to make the world better for others. One morning, it might be our last day. How would we be remembered?
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