A Liter is a Lot

Yesterday they did a bronchoscope on Alan and drew around a liter of fluid from around his lungs. They didn't put any chest tubes in, which is good, I think. They are running tests on the fluid to see what kind it is. I looked up plueral effusions on the internet and there are 4 different kinds of fluid, I can't explain them but the internet does a good job. There is a little pocket of air they are watching since they drained the fluid. They want to keep him for a few days for osbservation. Wanda, Eddie, and I could tell a big difference in him immediately after they brought him back to the room from draining the fluid. They used a local anesthetic so he was wide awake, talking, and in a great mood.

Anna Kate's pain is less today.

Thank you all for keeping tabs on us and praying for our specific needs as they arise. Judy & Alan

Still Waiting

Alan went back to the hospital about 7p last night. I came home about 10p because they said his procedure wouldn't be until 10a today. My sister Wanda and her husband Eddie are here with me. We all got up at 5a and got to the hospital a little after 7a. They put Alan's procedure off until tomorrow at 1p, because the doctor was backed up today. He will have a bronchioscope and they will remove some fluid and I think put in a chest tube or tubes. They said they did not know how long he would have to stay. I came home early tonight because Wanda and Eddie are cooking a wonderful homecooked dinner for me. It has been awhile since I ate someone else's cooking. I am excited.

Anna Kate's surgeon said her surgery went well but that she would have some pain. He gave her some medicine for pain. I talked to her and her voice was soft, sweet, and a little groggy. When I asked how she felt, she said "I had to take a little nap when I got home, Nana." I said "Surgery is tough." She said "YEP". Please keep praying her through the pain.

Love, Judy

Back to the Hospital

We went to clinic yesterday and saw Dr. Lin, the surgeon who did Alan's transplant. When Alan was in the hospital, he told us that Alan had pleural effusions (fluid) between his lungs and the wall of the chest cavity. They did an xray yesterday, and the effusions are still there. Late this evening or tonight they will call to tell us they have a room ready for us at the hospital, and Alan will be back there for 2 to 3 days. They will put a chest tube (tubes?) in to drain the fluid, and give the lungs room to expand. It is important to do this as soon as possible, otherwise the lungs might not expand as they should. We are trusting God, he has been with us every step of the way.

Wanda, my sister, and her husband are coming to stay with us for a few days. I am grateful.

Please remember Anna Kate as she has her surgery tomorrow.

Thank you. Judy & Alan

Getting Stronger

Alan is getting stronger. I have a cold or sinus infection, and am feeling puny. I am wearing a mask and have the hand disenfectant in every room, so I wash my hands continually. I have been sleeping in the spare bedroom, and until last night he slept on the couch. Last night he slept in the bed. I put his meds in his pill box, but he is remembering to take them on time, check his insulin, and give himself the shots. We tag team the IV, and have it down to a science. He even laid on the bed and did some arm weights today. Determined is a good word for him. It seems like we are taking baby steps, but we gain ground every day.

Sweet dreams, Judy

Special Prayer Request

Good Morning, Today we have a very special prayer request. It is not for us, but for our Granddaughter, Anna Kate, who is 6 years old. Most of you know that she has mild to moderate Cerebral Palsy. On October 30th she will have surgery on her legs, they will lengthen the achilles tendon in her right leg to get her heel to go down flat when she walks, right now she walks on tiptoe, and they will lengthen her hamstring in both legs so her legs will turn out and not in when she walks. She will have a full cast on the right leg AND the left leg. She has requested 2 different colors for the casts. The cast on the left leg will stretch the muscles. Anna Kate is VERY excited about the surgery because her doctor told her if it does what it is supposed to do she won't have to wear braces anymore. She does not like wearing the hard plastic braces. They make blisters and are very hot and confining, she gets very tired quickly. You have been so generous with your prayers for us, we know you will join us in praying that Anna Kate's surgery will be a success. She brings us such joy and laughter. We know that God hears our prayers and answers. We have felt the power of your prayers. We are living proof that prayer works. We will keep you posted on Anna Kate too. Thank You!!!!

Getting into a Routine

I feel like today we have started settling into a routine. Alan went back to the fitness center, and he was tired when I picked him up, but a good tired. We gave the IV of the antibiotic together this afternoon, and it went smoothly. We have much to be grateful for.

He just fell asleep on the couch. He says it is more comfortable than the bed.

Thinking of all of you, Judy & Alan

We are HOME!!!!! (Apartment in Durham)

I am so happy to say we are out of the hospital and back at the apartment. We thought we would get to come home on Tuesday, but the infectious disease folks wanted to keep us an extra day because of the ecoli. They needed time to study the cultures of the ecoli and determine what type of ecoli it was and which antibiotic would be the best to treat it. Yesterday he got his first IV of the antibiotic, Ertapenem. The transplant coordinator had to come before we could be discharged and go home, she was there from 4:30p - 5:30p, and we left the hospital around 6:45pm. We had to drop prescriptions off at the drugstore. I hadn't eaten since breakfast, because I was afraid I would miss the coordinator, so I grabbed a sandwich at Wendy's. Alan had all 3 meals at the hospital. We went by the apartment to unload and for me to eat. Alan went back to the drugstore with me and went in. When we got back to the apartment, he walked across to the mailboxes to check the mail for the first time since we have been here. Before transplant he did not have the energy to walk over to the office and check our mailbox. I am going to like having my husband back. Since we have been here I have pretty much done everything by myself, now I have my best friend back. JOY! JOY! JOY! JOY! Down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.

His insulin is up since surgery as are all (most?) transplant patients. So he came home on insulin. Very small doses. Last night we were too tired to even try to figure out the machine to check blood sugar levels. So this morning we hit the floor running, he had to have meds at 8a, we worked on the machine and figured out how to do the test, only to realize we had no syringes to administer the insulin. Meanwhile the home health care nurse showed up to train me on giving the IV of anitbiotic for the ecoli and how to flush his picc line. She left at 12p and we ate breakfast, and then I went back to the pharmacy to get the syringes to give the insulin. Got home and we tested his glucose levels and he gave himself the shot.

Now he is napping, and I am blogging. But I have to get busy on organizing everything. This is very much like bringing a newborn baby home from the hospital. Everything is new. I am grateful he did not have to go back to the Center for Living (fitness center) today, that will happen tomorrow, and we can have today to get a handle on everything.

WE APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERONE OF YOU WHO ARE TRAVELING WITH US ON THIS AMAZING JOURNEY. OUR SECOND CHANCE IS BECOMING REALITY.