January 10, 2012 Transplant Day 36

Still not out of the woods. I see progress but I wish it was faster. Overall, the teams of doctors are pleased with my progress. As one said, “Remember this is your third transplant. You have been through a lot.” There is still concern with the shadows they are seeing on my lungs. No symptoms of infection such as temperature or shortness of breath. This will be watched for some time. In the past two days I have had two units of blood. This has helped improve my blood pressure which helps with my light headedness. I am taking a couple of antibiotics and a liter and a half of fluid with extra electrolytes every day by IV which keeps me hooked up to a pump 7 hours per day. I have been using my walker this past week but graduating to the use of my ski pole as of today. Still try to get out for a walk every day. I am eating and drinking more which indicates my GI system is healing. All part of the healing process.

There are times that I am hooked to various infusions of medication of just saline to hydrate me. From Day 1 of the transplant, I have had time to do some reading. I finished a great book, “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption” by Laura Hildlenbrand. This book was a great read about a runner who became a pilot in the South Pacific.  I would recommend it to anyone. Then I heard many of the nurses and doctors while I was in the hospital tell me about a great new book, “The Emperor of All Maladies" by Siddhartha Mukherjee. The book tells about research in the area of cancer in a way the common person can understand. I started to read it, but found too many parallels with some of the patients of things I was experiencing. As I need a distraction now and not a reminder, I will put the book away for another day. Now I am reading, “The Price of Civilization: Reawakening American Virtue and Prosperity,” by Jeffery Sachs. The early part of the book on Economics, reminded me why I dropped out of Business School at the University of Washington and went into Fisheries. I am finding his points interesting on what changes he believes would help the US.

My care taker Rose has been doing an exceptional job of making sure I am at my doctor appointments and keeping notes during the many hours we are at the doctors. Not to mention all the other things she does to keep me going. Her care and encouragement has kept me going many days.