Thursday, January 22, 2009

The day me and the lungies started our perfect relationship...

So, on the 22nd of Jan at 5am in the morning I was waiting at the airport in PE for the first flight to JHB. Arrived there at about 7:30am, where the airport ambulance was waiting for me when I got off the plane. Then the hospital ambulance came to fetch me and off I went to Milpark. Originally they said the surgery would start at 12pm, but the heart had to go to CT, and they were waiting for the CT surgeons to get up here before they could do anything. The whole day was one nervous wait (filled with bloods and x-rays being taken)... not nervous for the surgery, but that something would be wrong with the donor's lungs and they would be unsuitable.

When 4pm came, I was finally pushed into theatre, and as soon as I saw all those people all scrubbed up and all the silver "implements" being "prepared" (more like knives being sharpened), it dawned on me that this is really IT. Time to part with my old lungs. Even though they were CRAP and gave me a hard time, they still tried their best and got me all the way to 23... much further than was expected (the Drs told my parents there was a 20% chance of me actually reaching 20). So I started crying... but only for a few mins, before they put me under. And that's all I remember about this day a year ago... surgery was 7 hours long and I was taken to ICU at about midnight.

So what was I doing today... I had x-rays at the hospital!!!! Believe it or not, I managed to get myself hurt again... Last night there was a massive thunderstorm, and I was on my way dowm to meet Chris (we were on our way out), when I fell down the stairs. Heels and wet tiles and stairs DO NOT GO TOGETHER. My feet slipped out from under me and I landed on my back, and slid down a few more stairs. Got the fright of my life and my wind was totally out. Luckily Chris came running up and got me back into the apartment and cleaned my wound for me. I was wearing a skirt, so the back of my thigh got a real nasty scrape and bled a bit. It's one MASSIVE bruise now that is disgustingly purple and red and swollen... Also, and more alarmingly, my ribs and back (on the left side) hurt like hell, and breathing has been painfull.


So this morning I went to work for about an hour to do the most important stuff, after which I headed straight to Milpark. Had x-rays done, and by some miracle no ribs are broken (having been on Prednisone for 18 years of my life, which reduces bone density, this really is good news), but some might be cracked, as apparently you can't always see that on an x-ray. So Dr gave me Trans Act patch and some more wonderfull painpills... In bed now, and going to take a nap soon, as with all the pain I didn't sleep much last night.
The people from the athletics track in Pretoria confirmed my booking for 9am on Sat morning to try and qualify for Aus... Murphy really has some sick sense of humour, as
I NEVER get hurt, and now, 2 days before I wanted to try again, my foot, thigh, ribs and back are sore, and I can't even walk SLOWLY without PAIN. So I'm going to have to cancel for this weekend, and maybe find out if I can try next weekend if I've got less pain then...
I'm obviously also thinking about my donor family a lot today, and especially yesterday... hope they realise how much their gift has meant to me. I don't think anyone that hasn't received an organ or had a child that has received an organ realises the level of gratefullness, that words cannot really explain. All you can do is thank God...
Tonight Chris and my dad and I are going out for STEAK... don't care how sore I am, I WANT STEAK!!!! Oh, and for everyone who have been reading my blog since my transplant, happy 1year of reading my blog, lol!

49 comments:

CFHusband said...

Yeah!!! So glad you're doing so well!!!

Cameron said...

Came over from CFHusband's blog! CONGRATULATION on your 1 year anniversary! We are so happy for you! You look beautiful! Celebrate your day, you life! God Bless You!!!!

Mary
West Virginia

Tardevil said...

Congrats on doing well!

Anonymous said...

Happy one year! Here's to MANY more years!

Radar's Mom said...

Happy 1 year anniversary with your new, wonderful lungs!!! I wish you many, many more years in your perfect relationship!

Hugs,
Christena
Nassau, Bahamas

Carol said...

Alice -

Been following you for just over a year now and, although I am SO sorry for your slip and soreness, I am so happy for the wonderful life you have been living since your transplant. Your blog has been a delight to read. My own D, about your age, has moved to ZA from the US recently, so I love getting a sense of her new environs from your pictures, travel blogs, etc. You, girl, live life to the fullest and in so doing, best honor your donor's memory. If the donor's family is aware of this, they must take comfort. My prayers for you and for them. Hope you can get to try to qualify - but I know your life is full and blessed even if that doesn't work out. (Yay for Chris to the rescue!)

Anonymous said...

Happy 1 Year anniversary. I have so enjoyed reading your story and rejoycing in your success. I'm so happy for you! Hope the ribs and
leg heal quickly!

Gen
Michigan

Anonymous said...

Happy 1 year Lungiversary!!

Happy to hear you are doing so well!

kidsworld said...

Happy Transplanniversary! Happy Re-birthday! Thanks for the update. Sorry for your pain. Enjoy the steak, my lil SA friend!

refreshing in ohio, USA

shelby1232 said...

Hi Alice, I heard of your story on CFhusband. Just wanted to drop a note to say CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY 1 YEAR AVNNIVERSARY!!!

Fran
Illinois

Kristin McNeil said...

congrats on your 1 year anniversary... good times!
kristin from TX

Emily H said...

Congratulations and Happy 1 year! I've been reading for that solid year, first linked to you by CFHusband. Celebrating with you in Ohio, USA!!!!

Misha said...

Hooray and congratulations!!!!

Kristina said...

Happy Anniversary, I heard your story a year ago shortly after I started following CFHusband's blog. I hope your ribs feel better.

Sarah said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! & here's to many more!

Anonymous said...

Life is good; we are blessed to have Alice and Chrislie as our daughters; we are even more blessed with Alice doing so well the past year.

We are cellebrating life today; but my thoughts and prayers are also with another family who has lost a loved one.

God bless!

Rene

Bree said...

HAPPY 1st TRANSPLANTVERSARY DEARY!

I can't beleive you went and fell down the stairs, but crap happens. At least you were able to get back UP the stairs not out of breath! That's important!

Words cannot describe how happy I am for you and how excited I am that you are able to celebrate 1 year post! Hopefully I will be able to do that soon!:)

wheezy tux said...

congratulations on your one year anniversary. I ahve been following you blog for a while. I hope you make the aus team for the games. olive

Susan said...

Congrats on one year! That's just fantastic!

Paige Hinrichs said...

Congratulations!! You are adorable and I'm so happy for you.

Jenna said...

Happy 1 year Alice!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Transplanteversary!!!
Gefeliciteerd meis. Een jaar alweer, wat gaat het snel hè?
Op naar volgend jaar!

Liefs

Carla said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR TRANSPLANT!!!

I've watched your blog since I found it while you were waiting for new lungs... and I was so excited for you when you got your new lungs - and to see how happy and healthy you are now is a true inspiration, Alice. You are my inspiration because you make transplant seem less scary - and more importantly, you give hope to those of us with CF who are currently getting sicker. We know that transplant can give us new life.

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!

Lots of Love,
Carla

LouMS said...

Nice to have people around to clean your wounds. Take care of yourself. Glad you remain in one piece.
Lou

Christy said...

Happy 1st year!!! and many more!!!

The Beaver Bunch said...

I was just thinking about you yesterday, for some reason you popped into my mind. Now I know why! God is so good and I'm so glad to hear that you are still doing very well.

Wishing you many more anniversaries of this wonderful day!

Nana2Six said...

Happy Lungaversary! Have followed you via Nate and Tricia since the beginning a year ago and read every update but seldom sign on to comment- But know that you are prayed for so very often! Congratulations and many many more of these lungaversaries! Feel better from your fall soon!

Shari said...

HAPPY ONE YEAR!! Found you thru CF Husband a year ago---prayed lots for you!! Glad you are doing well, bu no more falling down the stairs--that is my trick!! LOL

Best Wishes,
Shari
NC

Jennifer said...

Alice, do you need me to come down to SA to give Murphy a slap in the face?

Darcy said...

Alice,
Happy One Year Lungiversary. I used to follow your blog all the time and hadn't check in for some time. You look fantastic, so healthy! I will send up a little prayer for your donor family too as I know it is a tough time for them.
darcy
http://ittybittyblog.com

Aunty P said...

Happy Transplantavery - here's to many more to come
love Pauline
(Donor family in the UK)

Rick Lawrenson said...

Congrats on your milestone!

Rhonda said...

Happy Anniversary!!! So glad your doing well. (other than your trip!) LOL

Anonymous said...

Fantastic - I had been praying for you last year with your lung transplant at the same time I was praying for Tricia and Gwyneth (CFHusband's girls!).

Hope you recover from your fall too.

Our Two Blessings From Above said...

Congrats on your one year!

Millicent said...

Happy one year!!!!

Tricia said...

Hey Alice - I've been reading your blog since I found it from Nate's. Congratulations - it's great to see you getting healthier and healthier and your positive attitude is so contagious. I am a fellow-South African living in the USA with my family (my hubbie is American) and was born in Ireland, but consider SA my second home. Wishing you continued health and success and happiness in life - you deserve it!
All the best - Tricia and Family
Northern Virginia, USA

Anonymous said...

happy 1 year!!!!
its been a joy to read your blog (most) of this year and see the young woman you have blossemed into.
Laura

Marcia said...

Happy 1st anniversary with your new lungs! I am so glad that you are doing so well and enjoying life to the fullest! I've been following you since well before your surgery a year ago, found you through Nate and Tricia's blog (CF Husband). May God continue to bless you and keep you safe for many years to come!

andreawilliams said...

Just blog surfing! Congrats on your one year with your new lungs. Good luck with the ribs. I cracked my ribs a few years ago and they took forever to heal! It too was a high heel accident :)

wife.mom.nurse said...

Came over from CFHusband's blog. Happy 1 year anniversary!
Julie

Kathy - mom of many said...

Happy 1 year anniversary...I remember when you had your surgery. Congratulations on doing so well. Found you through CF Husband. Ouch on the fall down the stairs. Feel better soon.

Kim said...

Happy Transplantversary Alice! I've been following your blog since this day one year ago and am so delighted for all that you're doing and accomplishing! Keep celebrating your life every day!!

Anonymous said...

Alice

I am so so happy for you. What an amazing journey you've had and thank you for sharing it. To see the way you so fervently embrace life has influenced me in a great way. Congratulations, and keep on rollin'!

Danielle
Canada

beckscat said...

Great news! Hoping you see another 70 or 80 years! Prayers from South Dakota, USA.

Anonymous said...

I am so happy that you are doing well!!! I came over from the CFHusband blog to say hello :)

cindy baldwin said...

It's been awhile since I commented, but I wanted to say, HAPPY ONE YEAR!!! That is the best news, Alice.

Anonymous said...

Happy one year anniversary! I was so faithful in reading your blog but for some reason stopped. I am so glad to have a reminder to come back! ANd I have been thinking about you b/c I am coming to Zambia for a good part of the summer and know I will be semi close to you. Have a super week!!!

Somer Love said...

So Awesome! Happy 1 year! I am glad you didn't get hurt worse on the stairs! I hope you enjoyed your steak! It made me want some :)