I saw Dr Carby who was happy with my progress I had lost a small amount of weight since my last visit and although my lung function was a bit reduced he was happy for me to leave Three months till the end of June until my next clinic visit!!
The only slight issue that arose was my kidney function once again was a concern.
I am back on the 26th for some advice from the dietitian, so he requested that I do another blood sample then to check my Creatinine levels then decide what must be done. He suggested that medication change might be on the cards, but I am hoping that things will have settled by then with any luck.
When I questioned him about the cold he said it could take up to six weeks to get over completely and I should carry on with the Ventolin till I was sure I was better.
This was the first bad cold that I have had since having my transplant and I must admit it scared me,it brought back memories of what it felt like when I was breathless before transplant and having nebulisers of ventolin reminded me of my asthma attacks in the past.
The statistics that you are quoted before transplant are not encouraging 80% 1 year survival 50% 5 year survival and my consultant said something that stuck in my mind "If you get seven years from a lung transplant we would consider that a success." People think that a transplant is a cure, it is not you are swapping one condition for a new one one that needs constant vigilance, monitoring, medication and positive attitude to manage.Add a large dose of humour and faith in your God and your transplant hospital and you can help the stats in your favour. You can never beat the odds completely but I hope to have a good go!!!
I read a story this week about a woman who has become the longest surviving single lung transplant patient. She celebrates the 20th anniversary of what was the first ever operation of its kind. On May 18th, 1988, With only days to live, Vera Dwyer, Carrowcrory, Keash, had the history-making surgery in Harefield Hospital, London.
You can read the article here
Transplant can be such a tightrope to walk at times and some of my friends have slipped and fallen! This illness reminded me of this, how grateful I am to still be doing well.
Even though I was not feeling well I have enrolled in a gym. One of the trainers is a physiotherapist trained in cardiac rehab and I had my first meeting just before my Harefields appointment. I will start my attendance when my cold is completely gone.
The other thing that I have done is to get a new appointment with the Churchill to find out about my Bi Pap and if I still need to use it.That will be coming up in April and I am hopeful that I may stop using the mask each night if my CO2 levels are stable now.
While I was in clinic I was lucky to bump into Kerry Maletroit who was looking good and still recovering well after her trip back to Jersey for a family reunion recently. She had a successful day at clinic and her lung function continues to improve.
One of my other friends was also in clinic, Dawn Bostock she was hoping for a bed to sort out some problems she had been having. She is now getting sorted out in Harefield, but due to the amout of people with colds and bugs she had to wait for a while for a bed. I am sending out all my best wishes to her for a quick resolution of her problems and a swift return home :-)
Finally I had another competition at the camera club and although the picture didn't score well I thought I would include for your veiws it it is a local landmark and one my contributions to the "Industrial landscapes" competition,please let me know what you think of it.
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| Sunset over Didcot B |
You can also see another of my winning pictures at the website for the club now that has been posted, it scored 20/20.
It is a typical Oxford picture looking out on Magdalen College bridge where the Oxford May Morning Celebrations happen. The view is taken from the Oxford University Botanic garden. If you what to see the photo it is Here
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