A break through !!!!

If you have been following this blog, you know the Docs have been concerned with my nutrition. Before the transplant, I was unable to keep any food down and I was losing a bunch of weight. Post transplant, I was below 160 lbs. (compared to where I should be at 190 lbs.). Well, I am eating better thanks to the protein drinks that Rosaline is mixing for me. She takes an Insure and adds Carnation Instant Breakfast along with some more protein. Now I am getting more than 3,000 calories a day. For most people this would push them to gaining weight fast. My problem was that post surgery, I had these drainage tubes from the area around my lungs and they were very active. Getting the additional fluid out is always helpful. In my case, the drainage tubes were pulling too much fluid from my body, adding to the malnourished condition that I was experiencing. Because of this, I am still in the hospital, when the doctors expected me to be discharged by now. Now going into 12 days after surgery, the Docs were becoming concerned and want the tubes to come out. It was a thought to see what would happen if the tubes where slowly removed. Fluid levels can impact blood pressure and nutritional values. Well one tube was shut down during a night's sleep. In the morning, all my vital areas had improved and I felt better. With this figured out, now the Docs are talking about a potential discharge date. I have been in this hospital since July 13 (now more than 70 days). It would be nice to get healthy enough to be discharged. Every day I am getting stronger and can do more things. Thanks for your prayers.

Now my good buddy (read A-Team post) who is "1-A" on the heart transplant list has had a longer stay at this hospital than I. He is a large man requiring a large heart. If you are a large person, please consider being an organ donor. This act of kindness could be the gift my friend would be grateful for for many years to come.