Tired

Just been quite fatigued lately. Kind of a light headed feeling. My O2 saturations are status quo for me, 95-97% on 4 Liters give or take. My blood sugars are in the correct range today too. Just doing the normal things that I do around the house. I did have enough energy to make a yummy lentil soup from scratch today which made me feel useful. Of course life can't always be very exciting can it? When it comes to the day to day stuff, we don't think anything special is happening. Perhaps that's just not true. A phone call from a cherished friend or butterscotch pudding can help make the day special. Sounds trivial. But every little bit helps. I guess that is why people start grateful journals where they write a daily log of what they are thankful for. Such sage advice. Hmmm.

New Team to Meet Part 2

As I look back on last Thursday's meeting at USC, it all seems a bit of a whirlwind. It felt like I was having my annual physical. First thing in the morning, I had an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG), Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) and a six minute walk. I also had an X-Ray & CAT scan of my lungs & some blood work. All in all, everything went smoothly in the morning, but I was pretty tired by lunch time. In the afternoon, we met with members of the Lung Transplant Program at USC. Everyone was knowledgeable and forthcoming and knew how to explain things in detail in layman's terms. They were very patient answering our questions and concerns which quite frankly, we found very refreshing and reassuring. Everyone we spoke to was respectful and friendly as well. We could tell the team have a genuine rapport with one another which is definitely a good sign. Now the Transplant Program has to make a decision on whether or not they accept me as a candidate into their program. They will gather all my medical records and interview notes and present my case to their panel of experts. They meet regularly every week. We only received good vibes from all the medical personnel on Thursday, so we are very hopeful. Thank you so much for all your positive thoughts and prayers! Will give another update as soon as I can. Here are a few photos that my hubby Philip took. Will have to sneak a picture of him next time!

New Team to Meet Part 1

There have been many occasions in my life where I have met with new doctors or been to a new hospital to receive medical treatment; however, it has been many, many years since I have done just that. UCSD has been the place where I have been cared for by amazing doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists and social workers too. I have been a patient in the UCSD system for so many years now, with the exception of one year living abroad and five years in college when I was a patient elsewhere. UCSD is place where I feel safe, comfortable and well liked. The people who work there are like a second family to me. I know that is crazy to feel that way, but when I have spent my life in and out of hospitals, clinics and etc. That is how I feel.

Now the transplant team in San Diego has referred me to University of Southern California to transfer my double-lung transplant listing status. By the grace of God, I have survived a massive hemoptysis (hemorrhaging from the lungs) about twelve years ago. During that crisis I received the best care at Stanford. I had bronchial embolizations and several blood transfusions in which I did acquire antibodies. These antibodies are perfectly harmless, yet when needing any kind of organ transplant, the donor must match one's blood type, plus antibodies and etc. OneLife organ procurement region covers Los Angeles & six other counties. In theory that gives me a greater chance at receiving donor lungs that would be my match. So onto a new adventure, meeting a new lung transplant team and hospital. My appointment is on Thursday an all day affair. We are spending the night on Wednesday in a motel, so we won't miss my first appointment at 7:00 AM. I would ever be so grateful for your positive vibes and encouraging prayers!

I had a vivid dream last summer about going to Los Angeles for my transplant to the county where I was born. In the dream, I was directed three times by a firm voice to go to Los Angeles for transplant. Then I woke up. Perhaps it was an angel or my subconscious. It was one of those dreams I would normally listen to, but I was accepted last year to the UCSD Transplant Program. I put that dream to the wayside. Now that they have referred me to USC, I strongly sense my dream is becoming a reality. I feel this is the direction in which God is guiding me. It gives me comfort knowing this. Has anyone ever had a significant dream like this?