For the last week we've been treating my old CF bugs with antibiotics three ways: oral, inhaled and IV. If we're lucky, maybe we can get rid of them once and for all! It feels weird to go back to the old CF routine, even it hasn't been very long since that was my usual. I almost forgot how time consuming it is! I get my IVs at the hospital IV Room, and for the last three nights I've also had a Magnesium IV. Might as well since I'm already there! Needless to say, it feels like I have spent too much time there already, and it's only the halfway point.
Things are going well in the gym. I am already lifting more on the leg machines than pre-transplant, and there's no comparison on the treadmill! Lately I have been riding the bike because my feet and calves are still sore and cramping. I hoped the Magnesium IVs would help with that, but it doesn't look like it. I just can't seem to keep my Magnesium in a normal range! I know that the Tac is the main culprit, causing the body to waste Magnesium.
My sternal precautions are sort-of off. I am now seven weeks post and can use my arms more. I still need to be careful not to lift too much or do things that hurt my sternum. I will be transitioning from OT to upper body exercises in the gym over the next couple of weeks.
My biggest complaint is the diabetes situation. I switched my long-lasting insulin to Lantus, which is supposed to last about 24 hours and be constant throughout (instead of having a peak). The blood sugars are still not awesome, but are looking better. I am now using a sliding scale along with carb counting. I think it's a more accurate way to go. I'm just sick of all the pokes. I check my sugar at least four times a day, and give myself insulin at least six times a day. I also break up the larger doses into two shots, otherwise I find they hurt. So usually that's more like eight pokes. That makes a grand total of about 12 needles a day. I am running out of places to stick myself! I've been taking 30 units with breakfast alone lately. Before transplant, I would have maybe 30 units all week! I hope that things improve with time and I'm looking forward to my prednisone dose decreasing.
Things have been going really well. I am so happy with my progress and the lung transplant program. My diabetes is my only complaint, which isn't much to complain about, I know! Again, I can't help but think what a positive experience this has been and how much my life has changed. What a gift.
Bummer that you're back to a time consuming routine but at least you know it won't be for too long. Glad to hear you are progressing so well. It only gets better! Loved reading about your long weekend. When Jim and I went to Atlantic City he did the same thing! He thought about how far he would be able to walk and made sure he had an alternate plan should he need to stop. We politely declined any offer from someone for a ride on the boardwalk and walked the entire time. And, like you, Jim didn't get SOB once. He was just sore from walking around. He tired me out! I'm sure your husband is ecstatic watching you do all the things that you weren't able to do pre-transplant. I know I love seeing Jim being so carefree! So happy for you!
ReplyDeleteSandy, glad to hear you are doing so well--death to those cf germs for sure. I have had diabetes for over 15 years now. When I get on high steroid levels it makes it so much more difficult to control. I tried the Lantus for awhile but it didn't work very well for me--I'm too much of a swinger in the blood sugar department. I'm on a continual low dose of steroids to keep my airways open and the best thing I ever did was to get a pump. You still have to carb count but now doing it actually works :) I was skeptical--not wanting one more "thing" to have to deal with but its been wonderful. Check into it if you're interested. You'll get much better control and tons less needles :)
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