Up The Farway Tree

Tx Update - Day 8 - Friday 10:30pm

Some good news today, Jac's bronchoscopy biopsy result came back with absolutely no signs of rejection! This gives her a great start along the difficult journey towards recovery.

They woke her at 6:30 this morning to start preparing her for the procedure, getting washed and changed back into a hospital gown. She didn't go down until 10:45 though, so we were sitting about waiting for most of the morning. The bronchoscopy itself (which is a small camera used to look at the lungs) took about 45 minutes and involved her being given sedation which makes her a bit woozy and unable to remember anything of the procedure. Much like having a few too many drinks would and it even leaves you with a hangover!

She was pretty sleepy for the rest of the afternoon and didn't really come round until late afternoon. She got another x-ray then, which again was fine.

Now that she has passed that first milestone she is able to begin going to the gym next week to start some more intensive rehab. The physio explained that her muscles will now give up before her lungs,so these need to be gradually built up as she slowly gets stronger.

Although most people expect that she just woke up and could breathe properly for the first time in years, it has not quite been like that. For most of the week she had felt just as breathless as previously and was really scared to trust that these new lungs would work. There are lots of new sensations to get used to and she feels that being able to breathe more deeply is a strange and often frightening experience. She is however now just starting to see the differences, such as the fact she can talk for longer without becoming breathless. Lucky us! She also understandably still feels apprehensive about the journey ahead and is just taking one day at a time at the moment. She just wanted me to explain this to everyone, so they can understand a little more of the emtional side of the journey, although I'm sure she will explain much more when she is back online herself.

Andrew

N.B Jac has been told that mobile phones cannot be used on the ward, so if she hasn't replied to any messages that is the reason. She is getting to read the comments here though and is really encouraged by them.

P.S. Jac actually wrote most of this!!