Well, I woke up this morning freezing cold, sweat-soaked through my PJs and sheets. It has taken me two hours to start to recover. It takes my body a while to adjust to new medications and some days it really struggles. One plus is, the facial swelling is usually gone by early afternoon having been sitting up all morning.
Post-transplant poses a whole new set of challenges and responsibilities. The nurse coordinator who removed my staples and stitches on Tuesday told me the major reason people have rejection and problems maintaining their new organs is lack of compliance. I can see how that could be a problem for some people. Let me share my current daily schedule with you so you can get a sense of how responsible a transplant patient must be.
A.M.
7:00 Take Oxycodone, check weight, check temperature.
8:00 Take Oxyconton, check blood pressure, check blood sugar.
8:30 Eat breakfast and take insulin.
9:00 Take morning medications (30 pills)
9:00 Run IV Zosyn
9:30 Do breathing treatments (Xopenex & Colistin)
10:30 Run IV Meropenum
11:00 Take Oxycodone & Magnesium
P.M.
12:00 Check blood sugar, eat lunch, take insulin
12:30 Take noon medications (11 pills)
3:00 Take Oxycodone & Magnesium
3:00 Run IV Zosyn
6:00 Check blood sugar, eat dinner, take insulin
6:30 take evening medications (9 pills)
6:30 Run IV Meropenum
7:00 Take Oxycodone & Magnesium
8:00 Take Oxyconton
8:30 Do breathing treatments (Xopenex & Colistin)
9:00 Run IV Zosyn
9:00 Take night time medications (20 pills)
9:30 Check blood sugar & take insulin
11:00 Take Oxycodone
2:30 Run IV Meropenum
3:00 Run IV Zosyn
3:00 Take Oxycodone
Are you feeling overwhelmed yet? I have also been trying to get out and walk each hour in the afternoon/evening. Because of the swelling in my feet and legs I can only tolerate one lap at a time, so I have been trying to do one lap several times a day. I also try to do sets of stairs frequently to build my leg muscles.
This will all be worth it, especially when the swelling subsides and the pain in my chest and back retreat. It certainly is a lot of work, however.
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday! Love, Nancy
6 comments:
Wow Nancy!
Oh my heavens! That is quite a daily regiment. I am so glad that you are so responsible and diligent in getting better! We all knew the recovery process wouldn't be easy, but we also knew that it was you who would be facing it with your courage, strength, faith, and that smile of yours. There is nothing that you can't conquer Nancy! Keep working slowly toward that goal and the payoff in the end will be so worth it!
You amaze me beyond words. Keep up the great work and I look forward to hearing more progress as you climb this next hill toward your full recovery!
We send our love to everyone out there. Give your mom and dad a huge hug from me and have them give one to you!
Sending our love and prayers,
Debbie
Hi Nancy,
Sorry I haven't been posting--we went on a short family vacation to Rochester (Monster Truck Rally) NEVER AGAIN!! Anyway, you look great in the photos. I cannot believe your daily schedule--When do you have time to sleep? You continue to amaze all of us and we are so proud of you! We are all thinking of you and sending our love. Stay strong! All of our love to you, Scott, Hannah and your Mom and Dad!
Love,
Bridgette
Your attitude is your cure, so that is a given for you! I so often worked with patients who had the exact surgical procedure, same ages, but different mindsets. Difference in recovery was stunning.
You get patient of the year for sure!
Much love to all!
Claire and those two dogs!!!! lol
WOW! I too, am wondering, when DO you sleep? And all those pills. YIKES!
Is this routine something you will have to keep up for very long or will it start to taper off?
Hang in there girl. You are STILL amazing!
Oh my! That is overwhelming! When do you have time to rest?! I hope after you finish your IVs, you will have a little more time to relax. You have a FULL TIME JOB with these meds! I hope they get easier each day!
Nancy,
Thank you for sharing that with us. We now know how to better pray for you!
~Melissa and the kids
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