Up The Farway Tree

It Never Rains but it Pours!

I haven't had the best week to be honest. Although the pain is now much better I have managed to develop a post op chest infection. Probably not surprising considering I couldn't really cough properly and wasn't moving about much for a week. I went to see my CF consultant about this yesterday and found my lung function had dropped to 1.3 L from 1.8L (97% to 80%) and there were a few chest crackles to be heard (although chest x-ray looked fine). Although this does not sound a big drop, a 10% drop is considered significant, therefore I have been started on a 2 week course of oral antibiotics, so hopefully within a few days I will see the benefit of that. I don't feel too bad though, just very tired and washed out and not quite right. This is nothing compared to how I used to feel with a chest infection though so I can't really complain. They have taken some samples to see what bugs are growing but at the moment have to assume it might be the old bugs I had before - they are using a fairly broad spectrum drug so should have all bases covered!

Today I had another minor drama when the sore throat I've had since the operation became much worse. When I had a look myself I had this weird blood encrusted lesion which totally freaked me out. Sometimes people must wonder if I really am a doctor because since this transplant I feel like I over react at everything. I then decided it could possibly be herpes (even though this should present as blisters) and took myself off to the doctor to get checked out. She was fairly sure it was in fact trauma from the intubation last week and even if there was some superimposed infection I was already on antibiotics so should be covered. Eh, drama over then :-) Since this morning I have now developed a runny nose. Of course I have self diagnosed 'flu even though I have no other symptoms ;-) Seriously though, keep your fingers crossed it's just some self limiting virus and I can get back to normal asap.

I had my foot ultrasound yesterday and there was no evidence of anything worrying (they were looking for something called a neuroma but they could not see one) so this is good news. My foot has been fine for the last week but I haven't walked further than the next room so very hard to assess haha. Hopefully I will be walking about again soon and will get a better idea before I am seen at clinic in a couple of weeks.

From the operation point of view, everything is going well. The scars are healing nicely and are no where near as sore. I am sleeping better and gradually being able to eat more. I couldn't eat at all for the first 4 days so have lost about 3kilos but the dietician has promptly restarted my high calories supplements so I should get that back on in no time. I still have to eat a soft diet so am experimenting as best I can. I find that chocolate buttons can be nicely melted in the mouth first and serve as a handy snack :-) My appetite has somewhat waned with the infection and sore throat but I'm sure when it kicks back in I will be trying to find 'soft' things to bake!!

It is very strange not being on top form. It is a unwelcome reality check to the fact I do not actually have superhuman powers. I think I seriously thought I had secret superhero skills which where give to be during the transplant. I felt invincible. Now I feel vulnerable and a bit shaken by my first infection since the transplant. I know it comes to us all and in fact post transplant I am technically more vulnerable to infection.....but it wasn't really the way I wanted to start the new year. However I think I might just start my new year from February, since I have never been that keen on January any way. In fact I may have asked the doctor to sign me back to work for mid February....I must be mad ;-)