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.

Sunday and Monday

On Sunday Alan got the remaining 2 chest tubes out. Traci, Mark and the kids were at the hospital with us when his surgeon, Dr. Shu Lin came by and said we would all need to leave the room while he removed the tubes. So, we went to the ICU waiting room to visit with some of the families we had come to know. After about 15 or 20 minutes, Traci looked up and said "Daddy is coming down the hall." We looked up and he was walking with no walker, no chest tubes,no IV tree, and of course he has not had oxygen since the surgery. It was so miraculous to see him. When we all ran toward him, he started to sob and just kept saying that God had given him a second chance. God gave all of us a second chance. Then Alan did 3 jumping jacks. He said it hurt, but felt good at the same time.

Today the infectious disease doctors came in a couple of times talking with us about the ecoli in his lungs. The first bronch they did showed ecoli but the culture itself was not growing, the second bronch did not show ecoli but ecoli is growing on the culture from the 2nd bronch. They are going to let him come home tomorrow, but will have a home health care nurse come by every day for 2 weeks to give him an IV of an antibiotic that is good at killing the ecoli. They don't seem overly worried because Alan is doing so well otherwise, but they still feel like this is necessary. We are now in isolation. When I or anyone else go into his room, we have to put on one of the paper gowns and plastic gloves. Those gloves make my hands sweat. If I leave the room for anything, I have to throw the one I have on away and get a clean one when I come back.

Alan is in very good spirits, but a little bored. He is inspiring a lot of the other patients.

While we were in ICU waiting for Alan to get his last 2 chest tubes out, I saw a young man that I had come to know just a little in the hallway. I guess he is about 16 or 17 and his name is Xavier. He looked upset and I asked if he was okay. He told me that his brother (19 years old) had just died. I didn't know what to say. I just put my arms around him and prayed. I was so rattled. I hope God let me say something of comfort to him. The last name of the family is Ramirez, please remember them in the loss of their loved one. And remember Martina who is 17 and had a lung transplant and is still in ICU, and Elois Carlton who is 56 and had a lung transplant and is still in ICU, and the many other people in ICU and their families.

I hope all of you have a great week! Hugs, Judy

Plugging Along

Saturday was an eventful day for Dad.  We found out that unfortunately the bacteria he has is ecoli.  They are treating it with an inhaled antibiotic and feel confident about the ability to treat it.  He had another bronchioscope and then the doctor clamped his two chest tubes as a test to see if he could do without them.  Dad is really hopeful as he has been told that his pain will reduce drastically once the chest tubes are out.  He walked 72 laps around the unit which means he walked 4 miles.  I know, we cannot believe him either.  The doctors, nurses, and other patients are amazed at him.  The local pharmacy prepared all of his home meds and Mom picked them up yesterday, so they are prepared when he is discharged.

We will get the results of the bronch and xrays Sunday to see how the lungs are expanding.

The best part of his day though was getting to see his grandchildren.  By age, only Lane is allowed to see him, but his nurse let all three kids come up.  Dude was thrilled!  The kids were also very glad to get the see him and know he is really okay.

Continued prayers are still appreciated.  Love, Traci

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