My third and final assessment day is done! Woo hoo! It was another early start. This time I spent the entire day in the Diagnostic Imaging department. First up was a chest x-ray. Simple stuff. Next I had an abdominal ultrasound. After that was a CT of my chest and abdomen (plus a cheesy informational video from the 80s). I have had a chest CT before, but this was different because they used contrast. It was such a weird sensation when they put the dye through the IV. Warm and fuzzy. My last test was a VQ (ventilation perfusion) scan. I've never had one of these before either. It involved two different steps. First, I inhaled the radioactive substance and then pictures of my lungs were taken, indicating where there was air flow. The second step took pictures of my lungs where the blood flow was, so the radioactive stuff was injected into my IV. This was an eye-opener... compared to normal healthy lungs, mine look awful. It was a cool visual! It's crazy that on the outside, there's hardly any evidence of anything wrong with me (especially if I'm not wearing O2), but a look inside shows a totally different story!
My husband took care of packing and loading up the car, and then we made the three-hour trip home. We picked up our dog from my Mom's house on the way. As soon as I got home, I had to nap for a couple of hours. I was exhausted.
I am so glad that my assessment is behind me. I was really concerned that it wouldn't happen until the new year. There are no guarantees how well I'd be or how many more times I'd be hospitalized by then. I am very thankful that there was a cancellation that was offered to me. I am thankful that everything fell into place and we could make it on such short notice. It was meant to be!
Showing posts with label assessment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label assessment. Show all posts
Friday, November 6
Wednesday, November 4
Assessment Day 2
Day 2 is also in the books. The day began early with another trip to lab and then we walked over to the gym. I had a six-minute walk test and I managed 382m. I don't know if that's good or not. As I am marching up the hallways, coughing here and there, some guy makes a comment about my bad cold. This happens a lot, but I expect to see it less in a hospital while I am obviously doing a test. Hey buddy, last time you got a cold, did your doctor give you oxygen?
After the walk test we were off to the PFT lab for an arterial blood gas. The RT did an excellent job and it wasn't even uncomfortable. I was really impressed. I will admit that I'm scared of ABGs because my first one was rather unpleasant. Anyways, our next appointment was with the dietitian. After that I saw a cardiologist who had no concerns with my heart. Which means that I get out of the heart catherization! I also got out of a bronchoscopy. I have never had one before, but it sounds like it wouldn't be worth the potential risk at this time.
My husband and I were both exhausted at the end of the day. It was another super early day and we were happy to have the afternoon off. Actually, we have today and tomorrow off as well. Since I have done a lot of these tests recently during my last two hospitalizations, I don't need to repeat them again. On Friday I am scheduled for my final ultrasound and x-ray. Unfortunately these tests couldn't be bumped up, so we have to stick it out until Friday.
After the walk test we were off to the PFT lab for an arterial blood gas. The RT did an excellent job and it wasn't even uncomfortable. I was really impressed. I will admit that I'm scared of ABGs because my first one was rather unpleasant. Anyways, our next appointment was with the dietitian. After that I saw a cardiologist who had no concerns with my heart. Which means that I get out of the heart catherization! I also got out of a bronchoscopy. I have never had one before, but it sounds like it wouldn't be worth the potential risk at this time.
My husband and I were both exhausted at the end of the day. It was another super early day and we were happy to have the afternoon off. Actually, we have today and tomorrow off as well. Since I have done a lot of these tests recently during my last two hospitalizations, I don't need to repeat them again. On Friday I am scheduled for my final ultrasound and x-ray. Unfortunately these tests couldn't be bumped up, so we have to stick it out until Friday.
Monday, November 2
Assessment Day 1
Assessment Day 1? Check!
Let me start by saying that today was a long day. My husband and I needed to be at the hospital for our first appointment at 7:30am. Before that I had to do my treatments and get ready, so it was a really early day! We were able to stay at a hotel across the street from the hospital, so that was a plus.
First on the schedule was bloodwork... 15 vials worth! There's nothing like fasting for 12 hours and then losing a bunch of blood. An ECG was next. Then I met with one of the transplant doctors (a different one from last time). Next we were off to meet the social worker and chat about everything from my support people to finances. We were allowed a lunch break -phew- and then met with the pre-transplant coordinator (nurse). We discussed more about the actual procedure and logistics. Last on the list was meeting the anesthesiologist.
By the end of the day I was pretty tired and hungry and perhaps a little grumpy. We walked back to the room where I relaxed for a little bit, ate a lot of snacks and then had a nice nap.
Everyone we met today was friendly and very knowledgeable. Today was good to start to figure out the hospital and all of its buildings and hallways... it's strange hanging out in a hospital where we don't know any staff or any shortcuts through the basement. One of the new hospital buildings is new and is super nice and bright- what a treat! I was also very proud of myself for walking all day. It was a lot of back and forth, but I did it. Luckily my husband carried the backpack full of O2 tanks for the day- I could hardly even lift it!
Another neat thing happened today- we bumped into someone from my clinic who had got new lungs two months ago. We had actually been in hospital together back in May. This person didn't even finish the six-week physical therapy program before they got the call. It's crazy to think that your new lungs could come that quickly!
Day 1 is a wrap! Time to get some sleep.
Let me start by saying that today was a long day. My husband and I needed to be at the hospital for our first appointment at 7:30am. Before that I had to do my treatments and get ready, so it was a really early day! We were able to stay at a hotel across the street from the hospital, so that was a plus.
First on the schedule was bloodwork... 15 vials worth! There's nothing like fasting for 12 hours and then losing a bunch of blood. An ECG was next. Then I met with one of the transplant doctors (a different one from last time). Next we were off to meet the social worker and chat about everything from my support people to finances. We were allowed a lunch break -phew- and then met with the pre-transplant coordinator (nurse). We discussed more about the actual procedure and logistics. Last on the list was meeting the anesthesiologist.
By the end of the day I was pretty tired and hungry and perhaps a little grumpy. We walked back to the room where I relaxed for a little bit, ate a lot of snacks and then had a nice nap.
Everyone we met today was friendly and very knowledgeable. Today was good to start to figure out the hospital and all of its buildings and hallways... it's strange hanging out in a hospital where we don't know any staff or any shortcuts through the basement. One of the new hospital buildings is new and is super nice and bright- what a treat! I was also very proud of myself for walking all day. It was a lot of back and forth, but I did it. Luckily my husband carried the backpack full of O2 tanks for the day- I could hardly even lift it!
Another neat thing happened today- we bumped into someone from my clinic who had got new lungs two months ago. We had actually been in hospital together back in May. This person didn't even finish the six-week physical therapy program before they got the call. It's crazy to think that your new lungs could come that quickly!
Day 1 is a wrap! Time to get some sleep.
Thursday, October 29
Moving Right Along
Okay, I got a phone call this afternoon that there's a cancellation and I can be assessed next week for transplant. I spent the next hour wandering around the house, pumped full of adrenaline, trying to get used to the idea. See, I was originally told that the next available slot was mid-January. I told the pre-transplant coordinator that I was always available and this is my priority... and voila, here's a short-notice opportunity! It's great to be able to do the assessment while I am feeling good and recently off IVs, but I didn't imagine it would be so soon! I feel like I've been caught off guard, but this is good news and I'm happy about it!
Now to back up a little bit...
My transplant journey started on June 25th when my CF doctor sent a referral letter to the Transplant Centre closest to where I live. Three months later on September 24th was the next step… meeting one of the doctors for my initial appointment. This was an opportunity for my support person (my husband) and I to “discuss the possibility of lung transplantation.”
Before the meeting even started I had low blood sugar, so my husband went to find me a chocolate bar. Of course, that’s when we were called in. Wonderful first impression- me light-headed and my husband gone to find a vending machine.
The meeting started with a brief review of my history, then the doctor talked about the program, and then we had a chance to ask our questions. My CF history is rather boring until this year. Since Christmas I have been treated with IVs five times, went on oxygen, got a port, and saw my PFTs (FEV1) dip under 30%.
My husband and I left the meeting feeling pretty good about things. The doctor spoke highly of the program and their stats are well above the international average. They do 38-47 lung transplants per year, which is quite respectable. The most important tidbit we left with was that this IS the right time for me. I am in the window. My lungs are crappy enough but my body is still healthy enough. If your lungs aren’t bad enough, the surgery is hardly worth the risk. If your lungs are bad and your body is too weak, recovery can be compromised. It was reassuring that other doctors can review my medical records and confirm that this is it. There isn’t time to procrastinate and let more exacerbations take their toll.
Good thing I am moving right along!
Now to back up a little bit...
My transplant journey started on June 25th when my CF doctor sent a referral letter to the Transplant Centre closest to where I live. Three months later on September 24th was the next step… meeting one of the doctors for my initial appointment. This was an opportunity for my support person (my husband) and I to “discuss the possibility of lung transplantation.”
Before the meeting even started I had low blood sugar, so my husband went to find me a chocolate bar. Of course, that’s when we were called in. Wonderful first impression- me light-headed and my husband gone to find a vending machine.
The meeting started with a brief review of my history, then the doctor talked about the program, and then we had a chance to ask our questions. My CF history is rather boring until this year. Since Christmas I have been treated with IVs five times, went on oxygen, got a port, and saw my PFTs (FEV1) dip under 30%.
My husband and I left the meeting feeling pretty good about things. The doctor spoke highly of the program and their stats are well above the international average. They do 38-47 lung transplants per year, which is quite respectable. The most important tidbit we left with was that this IS the right time for me. I am in the window. My lungs are crappy enough but my body is still healthy enough. If your lungs aren’t bad enough, the surgery is hardly worth the risk. If your lungs are bad and your body is too weak, recovery can be compromised. It was reassuring that other doctors can review my medical records and confirm that this is it. There isn’t time to procrastinate and let more exacerbations take their toll.
Good thing I am moving right along!
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