Well, 2010 will bring about the 6th anniversary of my heart transplant. My intent with this blog is to start at the beginning of my journey. Stay tuned
Bear with me folks I just posted to my own blog now I know how to add to this. Midge
01-17-10 I will repeat some of what I said in my post to my own blog. Yes, 9-11-01 was when I was told that about all was left was a heart transplant. Well, we were devastated but that was such a tragic day for so many thousands of people that it developed my attitude as I began this journey. I had a chance they did not. I continued yet for another year and then in Sept of 02, after being hospitalized for CHF (heart failure) Mayo told me it was time to move closer (we had moved out in the boonies at Lake of the Ozarks) so we came home to Iowa to be close to our family as we began our transplant road. I was officially listed in Nov of 02. On Jan 3 of 03 I fell and broke my foot and ankle, in Feb of 03 I had part of my colon removed as the infection would kill me post transplant. Now you have to remain positive when you have your belly ripped open and you are on crutches it was either laugh or cry and I chose laughter. We also moved into a new home then. At this time I was making monthly trips to the transplant center and I was listed as status 2A. By late 2003 I was having more trouble with shortness of breath, swelling, overall deteriorating. It was decided in Jan of 04 to begin IV Milrinone. Boy that was like a miracle drug, I felt much better for a couple of months. I was blessed to be able to stay at home during all of this I continued my part time job and my social life. This was very important to me as it kept me busy and did not give me time for self pity. As March came I became more symptomatic again and my dose of Milrinone was increased. They told me on Mar 17th that the best thing that could happen was before I got back to Iowa (3hr drive) they would have a heart for me. My call came on Mar 19th. More later.
I guess I am not sure how to add to this so hope this is right. I am delayed in getting to this due to the flu so here we go. I had a heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and I was first told on 9-11-01 that I would need a transplant they were unsure how soon. That date is significant in the fact that it helped shape my attitude towards this journey. Always having been a positive person this was such a tragic day for all those people and their families in the terror attack that I said they did not have a chance to fight and I do,so I became determined to make the most of life. It was about 14 mos later that I began the testing process to see if I was a candidate for a transplant you go through this hoping you are because if not what are my options not much at that point. I qualified and thus began the process of keeping the rest of my body healthy. Of course I immediately fell and broke my leg and then had to have abdominal surgery and moved. What kept me going? FAITH FAMILY FRIENDS, also a sense of humor helps when you are facing the unknown. Jim and I had moved back to Iowa after 3 years of living at Lake of the Ozarks so not only was this tough on me but he had to give up the life we had come to love too. Transplantation and chronic illness not only affects the patient but really affects the people they love. He supported whatever my decision would be. There were times when I would say nope I cannot wait anymore I am done, and then I would remember 9-11 and say FIGHT. I was fortunated to wait at home right up to my transplant I had an IV drug, but was able to get out and about. To me socialization was a big part of my attitude I tried to stay active in my kids and grandkids lives, church activities, card clubs, and it really bumbed me out when I was too sick to go. At the time I had 5 grandkids and watching them and hoping to be there for their activities kept me going. I really feel you need to have reasons to want to keep on going and my family was mine. I decided they were not ready to let me go. We made monthly and then weekly trips to Mayo Clinic as they monitored my decline. While at this point in time at home had one more person said to me gee you don't look sick I was ready to strangle them. I sort of wanted to carry Dr's reports with me to say here now do you believe me? So there were times that my attitude was pretty snarky. So if you are waiting for a transplant go ahead and get snarky sometimes it is ok. Till next time. I am off to the movies now with a 5yr,old
ReplyDeleteMom- go to your account part of the blog and you can find an area to post under "new post". All that you did here was post a comment to your first post instead of posting a whole new thread/post. I can show you if you don't understand what I am saying.
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