Sunday, August 27, 2017

Second Sunday in Hospital

Day 12 in hospital! Nearing the end of my stay I think. Lungs aren't feeling as good as I hoped they would feel after 12 days of IV antibiotics to be honest. Pseudomonas was cultured in my sputum as I suspected, and not sensitive to many antibiotics at all... Lungs are possibly also struggling from the inflammation as a result of the Rhinovirus. So maybe they will bounce back later... I can only hope. Below is a pic of my PICC line.... as requested by some people. It's my best friend at the moment :-p


Right now my only aim is to get mucus out... it is soooooo sticky!!!!! Using Pulmozyme for the last 2 days (Inhaled medication that I haven't used in literally almost 10 years that breaks down mucus and makes it much more watery. I used it often with the old lungs). Walking also helps... as well as lying on my left side. Nothing more frustrating than hearing an orchestra in your chest and nothing comes up when you cough!!!! My infection count has also kinda just been up and down... Meeehhhhh. On the plus side my kidneys are fantastic. I love them.... thank you kidneys for putting up with 33 years of crazy meds. You rock. As do all my other organs minus the pancreas... sorry pancreas, but at least your function can be replaced by enzymes and insulin.




Had another lungaversary this week too, woohoo!! And of course the highlight of my weekend was seeing little Adriaan!!!!! I just want to cuddle him to pieces!!!! The little dude has totally stolen our hearts! Totally the highlight of the year! Not much else to report on. Enjoy the last few days of August!




Sunday, August 20, 2017

In hospital

My cold didn't blow over, it just suddenly flew into my lungs. I started being feverish on Monday evening, which carried on throughout the night. On Tuesday morning it felt like my lungs were DROWNING in very gross mucus. It felt like I had instantly lost 10% lung function. It was the first time with these lungs that I needed a wheelchair to get around the hospital. I couldn't cope with walking, even with my portable O2 on max. Luckily I was able to see my Dr pretty quickly and got  admitted, had bloods, x-rays done and PICC line placed for IV's. My veins have been through too much in the last 33 years to cope well with normal peripheral IV access. A PICC line is a long line that gets pushed up from just above my elbow all the way around my shoulder towards my heart. It's an absolute blessing... makes a hospital stay much less dramatic and requiring less needle stabbings (and blown veins)... plus I have more movement available in my hand/arm.

So far the only test results of interest show that I have Rhinovirus (basically a common cold), and had a high infection count (CRP). The latter has come down a lot now at least. I'm currently on antibiotics and a higher than normal dose of steroids, although luckily that is already being decreased. Still waiting for the results of the sputum tests. Feeling loads better already. I managed to walk to the coffee shop twice yesterday (with Chris carrying my portable O2), and lungs starting to feel more open. You know you're feeling better when you are requesting earrings from home at least! (The below wasn't a bad selfie, I was checking out my ears)!




Had some great visitors yesterday... Chris was here the whole day, bringing with him a Latte and my favourite Almond croissant from The Argentinean. Then Andrew popped in with some AMAZING hot chocolate. Chrislie, my mom and Adriaan also came to visit! Haven't seen the little man in almost 2 weeks! I was feeling so sick on Sunday that I didn't want to risk making him sick. He is such a little heart thief! I was also joined for lunch/coffee by Brendan, Marius, Trevor and Ryan later in the afternoon. Even got some flowers! So everyone has really helped to make my Saturday fly past by keeping me busy! I've got some great friends and even more amazing family. Have a great Sunday!



Monday, August 14, 2017

Crazy month for organ donation awareness, wedding anniversary and now I'm sick

Two weeks ago LLGL along with the transplant coordinators of Johannesburg started an awareness drive in the Joburg hospitals. It's been hectic and amazing! I've attended the drive at four of the hospitals so far. The conversations we've had with nurses and doctors have been amazing.... eye opening stuff! This work makes me SO excited! It is definitely my passion in life. We've also had some amazing volunteers assisting us!





A week ago was my and Chris' 7th wedding anniversary. We went out for brunch and an ice-cream. Wasn't feeling my best so spent the rest of the day watching TV.







I've had a cold since Sat unfortunately :-( Not feeling good at all right now. Throat sore, sinuses gross and sore, lungs tight. UUGHHHHH