another pneumonia/infection

Today just a bunch of tests. They did an  EKG this morning. Then a CT scan. Then a  bronchoscopy after that. The transplant surgeon wants to double check there is nothing medically impeding her recovery in breathing and being off the ventilator. 

From these tests they believe she maybe at the start getting another  pneumonia/infection. So they will start her proactively on antibiotics again. Sent cultures off for testing. They also did a lung biopsy today just to make sure they don't miss anything. She is about due for that anyway(they do at 30 days after transplant to check for any sort of rejection). Should know results tomorrow After all testing she is doing fine and in good spirits. 

too tired

Just a simple day of physical therapy and rest. She seems a little stronger in physical therapy. No change on ventilator today she seemed too tired to try lower settings or to try test go without. Tomorrow is another day.

move closer to that goal

Been quiet and good day today.  Jane did physical therapy and rested in between. Ventilator is at 40 percent support which Jane is doing well with.  

 

Let me take this opportunity to explain how the ventilator is helping Jane to breathe. It is in a mode called pressure support. In this mode Jane  does all the breathing on her own but every time she takes a breath the ventilator provides positive pressure so she gets more air to helps fill those new lungs.  Her current setting is very close to having no support at all. Each day they turn off the ventilator for a few minutes so Jane can completely breathe on her own. This is an exercise so each time she will stronger to breathe on her own. Very much like physical therapy is exercising her so she will walk on her own. 

 

Soon she will be walking and breathing on her own. That's the plan for this week...to .  Thank you for all the prayers!

white blood cell count is back to normal

Jane is doing ok this morning. She had a bit of nausea again this time right when she started physical therapy. They gave her some extra nausea medicine which knocked her out to sleeping. Slept deep for the next couple of hours. But woke up energized and was able to do her second set of physical therapy just fine.   Her ventilator support is down to 40 percent. Also today was the first day since transplant that her white blood cell count is back to normal this means no infections. Doctors now want to really concentrate on getting her up and walking which will boost her breathing abilities too.  Thanks for all your prayers!

back in the saddle again

Jane was feeling much better this morning and is back in the saddle again with physical therapy and back on track to gaining more strength and mobility. Having no nausea today was a big help. They decided not to try a no ventilator test today. But had her on 40 percent support  for a while she did fine. 

Since it was a slow Jane news day today (uneventful is good) I can tell you that her gangster ICU next room neighbor has been discharged so we no longer have Chicago police presence here. He was under 24 hour guard and has been here for about a week.

nothing is normal when it comes to lung transplants

This morning Jane was feeling very nauseous. So was not able to do too much of her morning physical therapy. She has been up since 2am feeling this way. Doctors believe it has to do with all her anti rejection medications and are adjusting. Will also start to give schedule doses on anti nausea medicine. 

From being up most of the night with nausea Jane continued to be extremely tired as the day went on. Ventilator was down to 40 percent today lowest it has been. However she started having trouble breathing because she was so tired. They turned up the ventilator to give her a rest. As soon as they did  she fell fast deep asleep. Still sleeping now peacefully...most probably for the rest of the night. Tomorrow is another day and we begin again. 

They say nothing is normal when it comes to lung transplants everyone and every case is different. So I guess should not be surprised when today I had to spend some time helping the nurse shoo out a fly that had gotten into the  ICU :)

reconditioning her back

Jane stayed off the ventilator for a few minutes today but she got a little tired so I put her back. But we will keep trying until she's able to stay off on the ventilator longer and longer. Once she is able to stay on for a full 24 hours and then they will take her off completely. 

At this point Jane's lungs and other organs are all functioning properly. Now we are in the process of reconditioning her back to where she was minus the bad lungs. Jane is doing strength training in physical therapy twice a day now like Arnold Schwarzenegger and working very hard. Her strength is growing fast and soon she'll be able to walk  and breathe again on her own.

So tomorrow more of the same training and seeing how long she can stay off the ventilator.