Hello once again. I just wanted to give everyone another status update. Things are improving day by day. I went back to the doctor this past Tuesday for my first follow up after leaving the hospital. They took the
PICC line out so I am now officially 100% "unwired" for the first time in over 2 years. The doctor told me I could stop taking the IV and oral antibiotics, so that makes my daily routine quite a bit more tolerable. Having to take an IV every 8 hours was quite tiresome.
My vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels) have been consistent since leaving the hospital. I had a "
low grade fever" for the first several days, but it looks like that has now stabilized as well. While I was at the doctor's office, they removed the various stitches I had. That went a long way toward making it more comfortable to sleep. The stitches were pinching my skin quite a bit, so once they were removed, the skin was allowed to relax itself back into a comfortable position.
The doctor is going to put in an order to have my oxygen equipment discontinued. I'm looking forward to getting all of that stuff out of the house. It will be a psychological victory seeing that equipment go out the front door knowing that I don't need to be tied to machines any more to live.
I went grocery shopping with my mom yesterday afternoon. (My first time walking around a grocery store in several years.) I didn't have too much trouble getting around the store. Breathing wise, everything was fine. But my legs ache after short distances due to lack of activity over the past 4 years as my health quickly deteriorated. I'll be starting physical rehab pretty soon to regain strength. The doctor said it would take up to a year or more before I could expect to feel normal again.
All in all I'd say things are definitely headed in the right direction. These new lungs are absolutely amazing. It feels so good to be able to take a shower and not get winded. I can get around the house, I can walk into the hospital on my own two feet without a wheel chair and I don't feel out of breath at all. I can pretty much eat as much as I want without feeling like my stomach is pushing up against my lungs and making me choke. I don't feel the need to sip water all day. The old breathing meds I was taking made my mouth feel dry and sticky 24/7. It's great to wake up and have a moist mouth.
It's a wonderful transformation!
Here's a picture from this morning. (I have to wear a mask when I am around people who may be sick. Hospitals are full of sick people, so I have to wear a mask before entering a hospital.)
I had to go to the hospital to get more blood drawn so they could make sure the medications are properly balanced. (Again, if I don't get enough of the anti-rejection meds, my body may reject the new lungs, but if I take too much, it can overwhelm my kidneys and potentially poison me.)
I think that will probably wrap it up for this topic. I don't see the need to bore everyone here on OF with the ongoing details of the recovery process. Thanks again to everyone for the well wishes and words of encouragement. It is much appreciated.
Get back with us soon; you're too big a guy to be laid out by something as silly as being lungless. 
