Today I am sick as a dog. I had a rough night, and woke up with a fever. Body aches, and I feel totally out of it. Seth (who is just awesome by the way) stayed home from work to take care of me and Levi.
He called the transplant nurse to let her know of my condition. She said fevers can be normal after a bronchoscopy. Greaaaaaat. I guess it is relieving to know that this is normal; but at the same time it's not! Lame side effect!
I haven't felt sick like this for so long! Fevers used to be a normal occurrence for me. I used to have them so often. It is kind of a mind trip to feel like this again. I have hope that this one will go away though, since it was caused by the doctors messing around inside my lungs.
Until next time . . . . .
June 23, 2010
June 22, 2010
Another Notch
Bronch number two is now under my belt. It was this afternoon.
Today I came to the realization I have spent way too much time in the hospital just by how many hospital worker friends I know. I ran into so many people. It was ridiculous! I guess it really is my home away from home. Seeing people in the hall, asking then how their cats diabetes condition is . . . . yeah.
My friend Sheba was there (the one who was giving updates to my family during TX surgery) and another RT (*respiratory therapist) who I am friends with helped the doctor during the bronch.
That happened last time too. (I knew the RT)
I passed by like 10 people that I knew today just walking to my appointment . . . .
Anyways, man - I am beat up! I'm tired. I'm coughing (yes, coughing). I was tired after my last bronchoscopy, but definitely more tired this time. I'm coughing up bits of blood. That is normal for two days, or so they tell me, but it didn't happen last time.
So on that note that I am SOOO tired, I'll say goodnight. Short and sweet.
(and results shouldn't be in for awhile . . . I don't get them instantly)
Today I came to the realization I have spent way too much time in the hospital just by how many hospital worker friends I know. I ran into so many people. It was ridiculous! I guess it really is my home away from home. Seeing people in the hall, asking then how their cats diabetes condition is . . . . yeah.
My friend Sheba was there (the one who was giving updates to my family during TX surgery) and another RT (*respiratory therapist) who I am friends with helped the doctor during the bronch.
That happened last time too. (I knew the RT)
I passed by like 10 people that I knew today just walking to my appointment . . . .
Anyways, man - I am beat up! I'm tired. I'm coughing (yes, coughing). I was tired after my last bronchoscopy, but definitely more tired this time. I'm coughing up bits of blood. That is normal for two days, or so they tell me, but it didn't happen last time.
So on that note that I am SOOO tired, I'll say goodnight. Short and sweet.
(and results shouldn't be in for awhile . . . I don't get them instantly)
June 20, 2010
día de los padres
I am blessed enough to have both grandfathers, my father and my son's father with me here on this earth.
My dad is a great dad. He is a man after God's own heart. He does a great job at pastoring our church, Calvary Chapel of Mountain View. We are closer than ever now, and I am grateful for all of the time I get to spend with him these days. I am so thankful for him in my life. I am thankful that he has remained faithful in his life, and in turn affected our whole family in a very positive way. He is a really good grandpa too. Levi adores him, and they spend much quality time together going on "dude cruises."
Seth is not my dad, but I just want to mention him too. He is a great dad also. He takes such good care of us both. Levi is a lucky kid to have such a hands on dad. Seth will sometimes go lay on Levi's floor and build legos with him or they will wrestle in the living room. (I love when they do this . . . gets out that aggression and energy that is simmering within those guys.) I know that when Levi grows up he will look back and have lots of good memories with his dad.
Also, most importantly I am thankful for God as my Father. He is always faithful. He is the PERFECT dad, and never sleeps or slumbers. Talk about watching out for us.
A few months ago as Levi and I were grocery shopping, Levi loudly proclaimed in the very crowded produce section, "Isn't it cool how everyone has three dads?!"
Knowing everyone surrounding us could hear him and knowing what kind of city we live in (Santa Cruz isn't very different than San Francisco as far people's sexual preferences, broken families etc.) it was a little uncomfortable. Perplexed, I asked him what he meant. He replied that everyone has "God, Adam, and their own dad." Very sweet, innocent and true.
Also I can't forget Grandpa, Pop, Shane, and Sheldon! You are amazing and awesome. I love you guys!
My dad is a great dad. He is a man after God's own heart. He does a great job at pastoring our church, Calvary Chapel of Mountain View. We are closer than ever now, and I am grateful for all of the time I get to spend with him these days. I am so thankful for him in my life. I am thankful that he has remained faithful in his life, and in turn affected our whole family in a very positive way. He is a really good grandpa too. Levi adores him, and they spend much quality time together going on "dude cruises."
Seth is not my dad, but I just want to mention him too. He is a great dad also. He takes such good care of us both. Levi is a lucky kid to have such a hands on dad. Seth will sometimes go lay on Levi's floor and build legos with him or they will wrestle in the living room. (I love when they do this . . . gets out that aggression and energy that is simmering within those guys.) I know that when Levi grows up he will look back and have lots of good memories with his dad.
Also, most importantly I am thankful for God as my Father. He is always faithful. He is the PERFECT dad, and never sleeps or slumbers. Talk about watching out for us.
A few months ago as Levi and I were grocery shopping, Levi loudly proclaimed in the very crowded produce section, "Isn't it cool how everyone has three dads?!"
Knowing everyone surrounding us could hear him and knowing what kind of city we live in (Santa Cruz isn't very different than San Francisco as far people's sexual preferences, broken families etc.) it was a little uncomfortable. Perplexed, I asked him what he meant. He replied that everyone has "God, Adam, and their own dad." Very sweet, innocent and true.
Also I can't forget Grandpa, Pop, Shane, and Sheldon! You are amazing and awesome. I love you guys!
June 19, 2010
Paint me happy
Our house looks like a disaster area right now. It's an absolute mess. I'm thrilled! Why?
Because we are painting!
This morning I picked up bagels and mochas, we got the furniture cleared out of our bedroom, got music playing and started painting. I'm pretty excited because I have been wanting to paint that bedroom for the past FIVE YEARS! It's about stinkin' time!
We picked Keystone for the walls and Swiss Coffee for the ceiling and the trim. Not the craziest of colors, but I think it looks pretty classy. Seth was a professional painter for many years and definitely knows what he is doing. It makes it nice and easy. He tells me what to do, I do it, and it looks good. It's coming along great. It's been an ALL day project, and we can't even get to the trim today . . .
Happy Saturday!
Because we are painting!
This morning I picked up bagels and mochas, we got the furniture cleared out of our bedroom, got music playing and started painting. I'm pretty excited because I have been wanting to paint that bedroom for the past FIVE YEARS! It's about stinkin' time!
Happy Saturday!
June 15, 2010
Rejection
Well even though everyone I'm close to already knows the results of my bronchoscopy, I am well aware I haven't written a blog about it. We have been away at a cabin with family for a week, and the week before that was crazy busy.
As it turns out I have slight rejection. There are two types of rejection. Chronic and acute. The latter being the better one to have, if you had to choose. That is the one I am experiencing. The acute rejection runs on a scale of one through four, one being the mildest and four being the most severe. I have A1 rejection. This is not news I wanted to hear, but even since the beginning of my so called transplant journey the doctors have let me know that rejection is most common in the three to six month window of time. I am still within that window, and so the news wasn't entirely shocking. Since I have the most mild form of rejection that there is, we are hoping that it resolves itself and I have no change in any type of treatment. Just wait and see. I have to have another bronch (yuck) soon to see if there is any change. If rejection still shows up in my next biopsy, then the doctors will discuss a treatment plan with me.
I am feeling decent, which after all is the most important thing to me. I am thankful for that. Surprisingly I am not too stressed about having rejection. I can be pretty tightly wound sometimes, but the fact that I have rejection has been floating around somewhere in the back of my mind - not the forefront. During our camping trip I was able to relax and have a good time. When I am feeling okay it is pretty easy to forget about any looming health issues. It's only when I start feeling pain or being tired that I am reminded. Like I said I am feeling decent so it hasn't been too bad.
All that being said, these hiccups with my health keep me a little more reliant on God than otherwise. Sometimes they are a blessing in disguise. God's goodness has nothing to do with our circumstances. He is what He is. Never changing. My life shifts like the wind, but God is the one solid rock that always remains.
As it turns out I have slight rejection. There are two types of rejection. Chronic and acute. The latter being the better one to have, if you had to choose. That is the one I am experiencing. The acute rejection runs on a scale of one through four, one being the mildest and four being the most severe. I have A1 rejection. This is not news I wanted to hear, but even since the beginning of my so called transplant journey the doctors have let me know that rejection is most common in the three to six month window of time. I am still within that window, and so the news wasn't entirely shocking. Since I have the most mild form of rejection that there is, we are hoping that it resolves itself and I have no change in any type of treatment. Just wait and see. I have to have another bronch (yuck) soon to see if there is any change. If rejection still shows up in my next biopsy, then the doctors will discuss a treatment plan with me.
I am feeling decent, which after all is the most important thing to me. I am thankful for that. Surprisingly I am not too stressed about having rejection. I can be pretty tightly wound sometimes, but the fact that I have rejection has been floating around somewhere in the back of my mind - not the forefront. During our camping trip I was able to relax and have a good time. When I am feeling okay it is pretty easy to forget about any looming health issues. It's only when I start feeling pain or being tired that I am reminded. Like I said I am feeling decent so it hasn't been too bad.
All that being said, these hiccups with my health keep me a little more reliant on God than otherwise. Sometimes they are a blessing in disguise. God's goodness has nothing to do with our circumstances. He is what He is. Never changing. My life shifts like the wind, but God is the one solid rock that always remains.
May 27, 2010
Go Seth Go!
Seth won two awards at work! Most new sales and most internet sales! A co-worker of his snapped this shot while they were being presented to him. Yay Seth! I'm proud of him!
Oh, and by the way my bronchoscopy went pretty well I think. I'm just a little tired now. I'll get the results later.
Oh, and by the way my bronchoscopy went pretty well I think. I'm just a little tired now. I'll get the results later.
May 26, 2010
So much going on! I have been busy with my matronly-of-honor duties. I am throwing my sister a bridal shower. It is in little over a week! I'm having it at my house, and I couldn't be more excited. Planning these things are all sorts of fun! I ordered my dress for the wedding yesterday and it shipped today. Eep! Also Rebecca, Brittani and I got together and had lunch and talked about wedding/shower stuff. I went to the party store after and got plates, napkins, cups etc. It's going to be so cute - I can't wait! The wedding itself is in a month (they had a super short engagement) and I know the time will continue to fly by!
Also yesterday I jogged/walked from all the way from my house to the beach in the rain. I ended up at the lighthouse. It was absolutely grand. Why is it that I can jog so much further while I am listening to pop music? Or any music for that matter. It was refreshing. It was just drizzling not pouring, but there was no one out. I felt as if I had the whole world to myself! I was trying to dodge the hundreds of snails that all decided to cross the sidewalk as the sun was setting. I was doing pretty well but as it was getting dark, I accidentally stepped on one! As it's shell got crushed so did my heart... I felt so bad! When I arrived home I told Levi to come outside to check out all of the snails. As soon as he stepped out he crushed one too. Sad.
Last Friday was clinic. My PFT's were down by 7%. From FEV1 83% to 76%. Because of my recent RSV and hospitalization they want me to have a bronchoscopy. Having RSV can trigger an immune response in the body, which can lead to rejection of the lungs. If you remember, I don't want my body to have an immune response. I take pills to suppress my immune system, so that my body doesn't recognize my lungs as foreign and try to kick them out. So the bronchoscopy is scheduled to check for rejection. I'm trying to not think about it too hard. Worrying doesn't add one day to my life. I am nervous about the procedure itself though. It is tomorrow. Pray for me -- if you remember me tomorrow. I will be partially sedated, and need someone to drive me home. My awesome mom is going to watch Levi and then drive me back. In my experience partially sedated procedures are the worst kind! I'd rather be all the way blacked out or totally alert. A few hours after my transplant I had a bronchoscopy, and I remember the whole thing very clearly. Usually, in the past, they give me medication to make me forget. Isn't that a creepy thought? Medication that makes you forget what they did to you? Yep, that's what I usually get but I don't know why I remember that one bronch. They forgot to give me the forgetting medicine. Haha
I have a new hair colour! Platinum blonde! I love it! This is the second time I have done platinum... it's a fun colour to be.
That's all for now! ... until next time...
Also yesterday I jogged/walked from all the way from my house to the beach in the rain. I ended up at the lighthouse. It was absolutely grand. Why is it that I can jog so much further while I am listening to pop music? Or any music for that matter. It was refreshing. It was just drizzling not pouring, but there was no one out. I felt as if I had the whole world to myself! I was trying to dodge the hundreds of snails that all decided to cross the sidewalk as the sun was setting. I was doing pretty well but as it was getting dark, I accidentally stepped on one! As it's shell got crushed so did my heart... I felt so bad! When I arrived home I told Levi to come outside to check out all of the snails. As soon as he stepped out he crushed one too. Sad.
Last Friday was clinic. My PFT's were down by 7%. From FEV1 83% to 76%. Because of my recent RSV and hospitalization they want me to have a bronchoscopy. Having RSV can trigger an immune response in the body, which can lead to rejection of the lungs. If you remember, I don't want my body to have an immune response. I take pills to suppress my immune system, so that my body doesn't recognize my lungs as foreign and try to kick them out. So the bronchoscopy is scheduled to check for rejection. I'm trying to not think about it too hard. Worrying doesn't add one day to my life. I am nervous about the procedure itself though. It is tomorrow. Pray for me -- if you remember me tomorrow. I will be partially sedated, and need someone to drive me home. My awesome mom is going to watch Levi and then drive me back. In my experience partially sedated procedures are the worst kind! I'd rather be all the way blacked out or totally alert. A few hours after my transplant I had a bronchoscopy, and I remember the whole thing very clearly. Usually, in the past, they give me medication to make me forget. Isn't that a creepy thought? Medication that makes you forget what they did to you? Yep, that's what I usually get but I don't know why I remember that one bronch. They forgot to give me the forgetting medicine. Haha
I have a new hair colour! Platinum blonde! I love it! This is the second time I have done platinum... it's a fun colour to be.
That's all for now! ... until next time...
May 25, 2010
May 24, 2010
May 18, 2010
Hello Old Friend
I didn't mean to neglect this little blog, but somehow I did. Procrastination. Laziness. Not feeling well sometimes, and busyness.
Oh well.
My grandparents are in town right now, and we have visited with them the last two days. This evening they watched Levi for us so we could go out on a date. We went out to sushi and then strolled around downtown. We were gone for a couple of hours, and when we returned Levi was doing the same thing he had been doing when we left.... playing with legos. If that kid has someone to build with, he can play legos all day long. No kidding.
In other more exciting news, my sister is getting married! They got engaged last weekend. They are going for a super short engagement of only six weeks! She asked me to be the maid of honor. I can't wait! Kyle asked my parents for Rebecca's hand when we were all up at the lake. (So I guess my parents have known for awhile.) Their personalities are perfect for each other, and I am so happy for them! I love you Rebecca and Kyle!
I have been SO busy since this weekend I haven't gotten to speak to Rebecca for more than like two minutes at a time on the phone, so I still haven't gotten to hear the story of how he proposed. She started to tell me they were at the beach, and then I literally had to get off the line because my name was being called for an appointment. So yeah, pretty sad. I'm sure I'll find out soon though. Maybe tomorrow.
Tomorrow we are going to head to the RV park my grandparents are staying at and swim in the pool there. Should be lots of fun!
Oh well.
My grandparents are in town right now, and we have visited with them the last two days. This evening they watched Levi for us so we could go out on a date. We went out to sushi and then strolled around downtown. We were gone for a couple of hours, and when we returned Levi was doing the same thing he had been doing when we left.... playing with legos. If that kid has someone to build with, he can play legos all day long. No kidding.
In other more exciting news, my sister is getting married! They got engaged last weekend. They are going for a super short engagement of only six weeks! She asked me to be the maid of honor. I can't wait! Kyle asked my parents for Rebecca's hand when we were all up at the lake. (So I guess my parents have known for awhile.) Their personalities are perfect for each other, and I am so happy for them! I love you Rebecca and Kyle!
I have been SO busy since this weekend I haven't gotten to speak to Rebecca for more than like two minutes at a time on the phone, so I still haven't gotten to hear the story of how he proposed. She started to tell me they were at the beach, and then I literally had to get off the line because my name was being called for an appointment. So yeah, pretty sad. I'm sure I'll find out soon though. Maybe tomorrow.
Tomorrow we are going to head to the RV park my grandparents are staying at and swim in the pool there. Should be lots of fun!
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