Up The Farway Tree

Day 16 - Saturday

Although I started off very tired this morning, my energy levels picked up this afternoon and all in all its been quite a good day. I had a good nights sleep and for the first time was able to lie on my side for most of the night, instead of propped upright on my back. This made for a much deeper sleep, so much so that I really didn't want to get up this morning. I think I have a lot of catching up to do sleep wise, but its always hard to get a long lie in hospital. I had a nice bath (as not allowed to use shower) and even that really tired me out, so I had another wee sleep at lunchtime. I think that's allowed though :-)

After lunch I tackled the exercise regime, which was a 5 min warm up on bike followed by leg squats (with practice they are looking more like squats and less like pelvic thrusts, which is good for all concerned), heel raises, arm weights and then 10 mins cool down on bike. By the time I had done all that my legs were like jelly, but at least I know the muscles are being worked and it will get easier as time goes on. My poor wee legs have a lot of catching up to do! They also brought me a walking stick to use as a light weight for lifting arms above head. Mum was rather excited about this new addition and treated us all to a tap dance (of sorts) around the room with the stick as a prop. She really needed a wee bowler hat as well and the look would be complete. Thankfully none of the nurses saw this episode, or if they did they certainly aren't letting on.

Later this afternoon mum and I went and sat outside for a couple of hours and it was great just to get some air. The weather has been lovely here - must have been over 20C today, so I was well lathered up with sun cream. Unfortunately I didn't think to pack a sun hat in my transplant case (funny that), so I had to wear the hood of my tracksuit top on my head - you know the way little children wear them when they are pretending to be superheroes with a cape on. I did however refrain from running around pretending to fly.

Pain wise I have still needed the oramorph a couple of times today for the pleuritic pain, but overall I think it has been much better controlled and I seem to be moving around more freely. The wound itself is not too sore at all and the sensation is more of a tightness, as if you have a band around your chest. The wound is looking really good and very neat - they cut along exactly the same line as before, but its looks better this time (probably because the coughing made it harder to heal last time). I'm pretty sure it will only be a very faint line when its properly healed and really shouldn't get in the way at all. For anyone interested its called a clamshell incision and runs from one side (in line with underarm) under the breasts to the opposite side. Just thought I would mention this, as I think most people imagine the scar runs vertically down the chest (it can be done this way) but I think this scar is much neater and shouldn't really limit what clothes I can wear (important stuff!)

Otherwise medically, they are pleased with my anti rejection drug levels, so hopefully that will mean less blood tests. I am on two immunosuppressant drugs (azathioprine and tacrolimus) and these have been altered daily since the transplant to make sure the levels are just right. I am also on steroids, but these have been gradually tapered down, so hopefully I will just be on a very small dose soon (it really is making my skin bad, which although is the least of my worries, is annoying all the same). My magnesium levels are ok with the tablet supplements, although my vision is still blurry. It could be related to other drugs I am on, or to the surgery itself, but we are just hoping that improves as time goes on. The other good news is that my temperature has remained settled and my chest is sounding nice and clear, so its all moving in the right direction. I am also eating well enough, so fingers crossed I have said good bye to overnight feeds for good!

Well, I'll sign off now. Hoping for another good nights sleep and a similar day tomorrow..