Over the course of this last week, Joy has made great improvement in several areas which on the surface seem slight however, they are significant steps in her rehabilitation. For starters, she has not used oxygen for a couple weeks even with exercise. She walked the long halls to the clinics and tests without the aid of a wheelchair. Additionally, she stopped using the rolling walker at rehab, walked a couple days holding hands with a PT and now walking almost a mile on her own.
Her back pain continues to be an obstacle and we should get the results of a recent MRI and CT Scan in clinic this next week. Lab results (blood, O2, vitals, pulmonary tests) remain generally stable but continue to adjust insulin to balance low blood sugar readings. We believe the quantity of meds and more particular Prograf (anti-rejection), is contributing to some personality issues but over time they should be resolved.
Her progress sometimes seems a little slow when compared to a couple of our new friends but we also know of several that have been back in the hospital 3-4 times and still on round the clock IV's at home and still on oxygen and greatly challenged at the rehabilitation center. And, we have learned of others that did not survive, so overall we are fine with being in the middle and continuing to progress. We met a 5 year survivor in clinic this week and although his road to recovery has not been perfect, he is quite happy to have this extra time and appreciates the time with his grand kids and traveling. It is quite alarming that on average, only 20% of the transplant patients are compliant with medicines and clinic follow-up appointments and this was the root cause of 3 out of 4 of the aforementioned deaths.
Surgery is schedule for October 31st but since this would interfere with her plans to go "trick or treating", we plan to ask her doctor to convince the surgeon to schedule it sooner. We know this surgery offers additional challenges so we want to proceed as soon as realistically possible and begin to learn how to eat all over again. An Illinois Thanksgiving?
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4 comments:
So much good news of improvement and recovery! So proud of you both. Thanksgiving? This year more than any other we have so much to be thankful for. God is good!! Love and Prayers, Sharon
What great news! We are so glad you both are doing so well. Hang in there, our prayers are being answered. You will be home before you know it. As Sharon said this Thankgiving we will have much to be thankful.
Keep up the good work.
Love, Audrey and Betty
yeeeeeaaaaaaaaaa!!
That's quite a progress report. Way to go Joy. By the way, we have a question for Joy. We're thinking about converting & since you are are true believer, maybe you can help. Exactly how does one go about becoming an OSU fan?? Our team is in the toilet. It's probably not too soon to be thinking about what you two would like for that dinner at the lake. Sigh...
But at least Joy's latest triumphs are making us all feel much better.
Love to all,
Steve & Trina
Dear Joy and Wayne
Joy,great progress. We hope that your surgery can be done soon so that you can start to heal up. Thanksgiving dinner in Illinois would be very nice. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Wayne, since Duke beat Northwestern a few weeks ago is their multi-year slump over?
Joy and Wayne, take care and contiune to work hard.
Love
Kitty and Bill
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