Still Ahead of the Norm

Hey Everyone, It is 8:03pm on Friday. As Traci told you yesterday Alan still has 2 of his chest tubes in for drainage. He is still draining more than they want him to be when they take him off them. Also, the left lung has not inflated as much as they would like for it to and the drainage cylinders pump air into the lungs as well as remove drainage. They did a bronchioscope yesterday and told us this morning that he has a little bit of infection in one of the lungs. The doctor that came by today did not seem concerned. The are sending a tissue sample to the lab to find out exactly what is causing the infection and how to best treat it. Meanwhile, they are giving him antibiotics. She also said that sometimes the lungs will be a little slower to expand, but that will come if Alan does everything he is supposed to do. He had been on thickened liquids and soft food, and today he was told he could eat and drink normally. He is doing everything he is supposed to do, breathing exercises, walking several times a day (3 2/3 miles today, or 66 laps around the hospital hallway, coughing to get everything out of his lungs that shouldn't be in there, asking for pain medicine before it gets unbearable, and so much more. Everyone that meets him is quite taken with his spirit, determination, and sense of humor. We probably won't be going home over the week-end, so we will just have to wait and see. God has brought us this far, we know he is with us.

Traci is with him tonight at the hospital. I stayed last night, so I am tired and going to bed soon.

I have been reading your emails, and it means a lot to hear from you. I have not been very good at responding, because when I come home and read them I am pooped and going to bed for a nap so I can get back to him. Please keep emailing us though, because when I come home the first thing I do is check emails and go to the mail box. It lifts our spirits to hear from you. When he gets home, I will have more time. I hope all of you are well. Judy

Thursday Update

Dad is continuing to progress well.  He did not sleep well last night due to new pain, but he got some much needed rest during the day today.  Yesterday, he walked 3 miles and today he reached his goal to walk 3 1/3 miles.  He is amazing everyone at Duke.  He is still having quite a bit of drainage from his chest tubes, so the last two could not be removed today.  So far, we have no signs of infection or rejection.  Please continue to pray for recovery and for his adjustment when he is discharged.

Also, please continue to pray for the other families at Duke.  Most of them are not recovering as quickly as Daddy.  Mom purchased a large bag of chocolate that she shared with the nursing staff in Dad's unit and with the folks in the ICU waiting room.  Staff and family members were so grateful for Mom's thoughtfulness.  Mom and I decided that chocolate is a universal language.

We cannot tell you how much we appreciate your concern and prayers. 

Traci

Wednesday update

Hello Everyone, Today Alan got one of his chest tubes removed, his epidural removed, his catheter removed, and all of the IV's except the ones with antibiotics. He walked 36 laps early afternoon and 18 more at 8:30p, for a total of 3 miles. WOW!! I walked with him tonight and a doctor fell into step beside him, and said "Are you Mr. Wolf? They told me I would see you walking a lot." Everyone is cheering him on, it is really heartwarming.

Since he is not getting anymore pain medicine through the epidural, he is taking tylenol and oxycodone through the pic (piq?) line they put in during the wee hours of the night, from 1a to 2a to be exact. Since he won't automatically be getting the pain meds, he will have to pay attention and as he starts to feel pain ask for medicine so it won't get too bad.

His surgeon Dr. Shu Lin said that Friday would be the earliest he could go home, but that is not a definite.

We have had some amazing nurses and think that is God's doing. They have been angels. Amanda and Claire, if you read this, Thanks Again.

We have met many families who have not been as fortunate as we have. Their loved ones are still in ICU fighting for their lives, please pray for them, they have touched our lives. Also please continue to pray for the donor family that gave Alan a second chance. We do not take it lightly, and give God all the Glory and Gratitude because with him all things are possible.

I have stayed at the hospital all night the past two nights. Traci is staying with her Daddy tonight and I bet I will sleep very soundly. I am tired.

Traci and Mark have been so supportive, we could not have made it through this without them. We also thank all of you, Gail and Bob for coming and being with us during the surgery and ICU, and the rest of you for staying in touch and lifting us up in prayer. God has honored your prayers.

Alan is feeling very good and happy about his progress. He said he hopes he can be an inspiration to someone else. He is an inspiration to me. I look forward to making many more memories.

I am off to sleepyland. Good Night. Judy

Dad Keeps Setting Records

Dad had another great day.  He was a little more tired this morning and dealt with a couple bouts of pain, but he also continued to break hospital lung transplant records.  He got to begin eating soft foods today and when he ate for the first time, he realized how hungry he was.  Lots of people came in and out to check on and discuss a variety of things.  He walked twice today - 30 laps right after lunch and then 20 more laps this evening.  18 laps around the unit total a mile, so he completed almost 3 miles of walking today.  Remarkable, huh???  All the people on his medical team are amazed at him.  So are we!  The projection is that he will be discharged on Friday if all continues to go so well.  Again, a record - discharge 6 days post lung transplant.  Mind boggling!

Thanks again for all the continued support and prayers.

Traci

Dad continues to amaze

Dad is continuing to make amazing progress.  His ICU nurses pulled two of his chest tubes today plus two other lines he still had in his neck, then they moved him to step down.  Yes, believe it or not, he was moved out of ICU today - 48 hours post-transplant.  He walked himself from ICU to his step down room.  His new nurse couldn't believe that he was her patient.  She actually asked the ICU nurse where her patient was and Daddy was right behind her.  She said she normally received patients via hospital bed or wheelchair.  

After resting for several hours after the move, Daddy then got up and walked 20 laps around the step down unit; 18 laps equal one mile.  His nurse had no idea he had actually walked 20 laps but he did.  In step down, Mom is able to stay with him at night, so she is there and I am in the apartment.

Please continue to pray for Daddy's recovery, the donor family, and the other precious lung transplant patients and their families.  We have met so many families whose loved ones are still struggling through recovery.  We have had the privilege of getting to encourage, support, and pray for and with other families.  Daddy is an inspiration to them (and me) as their loved ones continue to fight.

Love, Traci

Alan's miracle walk

We tried to upload the video Mark took to the blog, but didn't have success. If you would like to see it, go to www.youtube.com and search for "Alan's miracle walk". Let us know if you are as amazed as us.

The 700 foot walk

Good Morning, Mark used his camera yesterday to video Alan's first walk, 30 hours after his transplant!!!! His nurse said he had never had a transplant patient walk as far as Alan did......700 feet or a little more than 2 football fields!!!!!!! He is dazzling the staff with all that he can do and his positive attitude!!!!

We don't know anything about the donor, but please continue to pray for the donor family.

We are celebrating life and praising God!!!!!

Love to you all, Judy

My Husband is my Hero

Good Morning, It is 5am..can't go back to sleep..can't go see Alan until 9a because visiting hours in ICU are 9a - 9p. So, it is a good time to update all of you. Alan has told me over and over, "I am going to have the surgery, work harder than hard to get better, and we are going to have our lives back, I can do this for my family, for you Judy, for Traci, for Mark, for Lane, for Connor, for Anna Kate. I want more time with all of you."

Well, yesterday we all saw that as we know, he is a man of his word. He got out of surgery at around 10a and was in ICU by 12p. We got to see him for the 1st time around 1p, and he was still asleep. By 8p last night they had him awake and he was responding to us with hand motions, facial expressions, and moving his feet. He still had the tube for the ventilator in his mouth so he couldn't talk, but his spirit was shining through. He gave us several thumbs up signals. His nurse said that often after the surgery it takes the patient a lot longer to respond, but not Alan. They knew right away that he was alert, aware of everything they were saying to him, and he was very responsive. God has poured so many blessings out on us, and on this day of Alan's surgery, he has given us a miracle, a second chance, and we intend to never cease praising and thanking HIM. Afterall, he is the one that gave Alan his spirit of determination, his love of God and family, and the desire that burns in him to make many more memories with all of the people that love him. You can expect great things from my husband. I do!

When we left last night they were planning on taking the tube out, and maybe getting him up in a chair. I just called the hospital and talked to his nurse and THE TUBE IS OUT!!!!! ALAN IS TALKING ABOUT PLUMBING WITH HIS NURSE!!! I am crying tears of absolute joy. The nurse said they had a very good night. You just can't outgive God can you. As Traci's best friend Aileen would say. God is showing off. None of this is ordinary, it usually takes days, sometimes weeks to get to this point, and Alan has done it in 24hours.

That is MY husband, My hero. I am sure as you follow his progress he will become your hero too, if he is not already.