Things are going swell!

Just had a whole conversation with Alice via text messages (both of us has lost our voices - she from the vent pipe, me from mutant alien flu, that I got for some or other strange reason). Here's some of the stuff that you guys might find interesting:

1. She went for coffee with her parents and sister in the garden of the Hospital, walking around WITHOUT oxygen, not getting out of breath at all. But she can't walk very fast as the bandages (on her chest) is keeping her back.
2. She has less pain today.
3. Some of you might know that she needs to write a thank you letter to the donor family - she hasn't done that yet.
4. She was too nervous to ask the doctors to take pics during the operation (I know she really wanted to do this), but there is some pictures of her from after the operation and ever since.
5. She doesn't know what her plans for the rest of the year is ... at the moment she needs to stay in Johannesburg, and she will probably stay there for quite some time as she feels safer closer to her doctors.
6. Once she is discharged from hospital she needs to go almost daily for bloods to check the anti-rejection medication levels; to change the bandages; and, to remove the staples, which I presume is keeping everything closed.
7. The plan of action with the staples are as follows: first they'll remove every 2nd one and then the remaining ones at a later stage.
8. She had to cough up some mucus today which was sent away to determine if everything is ok because she is off of all antibiotics - she's quite nervous about the results.
9. For the first couple of months she'll be wearing a surgical mask in public places to ensure that she doesn't come into contact with germs.

Hope this answers some of the toughts you might've been having .... If there are any questions you can mail me and I'll forward them to her. My e-mail is: antoinettegreeff@gmail.com

Super Saturday

Just a quick update on Alice's progress: She's been quite the socialite lately, with visits from her Grandfather and Uncle and Aunt, and obviously her parents too. She's also 'free' - no more drips, drainage tubes etc, and I believe she's ecstatic about this! And, as a treat, she had her hair washed ... something she's been longing for for quite a while now. All the doctor's are very impressed by the progress she is making, and there's even a possibility that she might get discharged on Monday. She's still battling with pain, and is now only taking painkillers orally, and according to the doctor the pain can stick around for up to 4 weeks - please pray that her pain subsides and that she can manage with comfort.

Not much to report today... spoke to Alice's mom just now. Alice is doing ok, she's just really tired and lightheaded, but this is probably due to the lack of sleep - as most of you might know, it is really difficult to get a good night's rest in when you're in hospital. The doctors are very happy with Alice's progress so far, which is really great! The problematic oozing tube site has also resolved itself, so I'm sure Alice is in no discomfort regarding that anymore. She still has some bandages where the incisions etc were made and the bandages will be changed Sunday, I think - although her mom says that they haven't looked at any of the incisions themselves (but I'm sure Alice has ventured there).

Tonight I'm going to our church cell braai (like a barbeque), and I'm sure that we will say a special prayer for the family and Alice, who is together with her sister, part of the group, and tonight they'll both be missed terribly!

Alice had a relatively good day today. This morning's pain has subsided. The remaining two drainage tubes came out, but the one 'wound' from the tube kept on oozing ... seems like it stopped now, but it is likely to be from all the movement today (according to the physiotherapist). Apparently it wasn't very painful when they removed it, but it felt very weird when they pulled it out. She also walked around twice, which I believe is very good. And her sats is 100%. At the moment she is waiting to see the Doctors and to get the results from x-rays that was taken earlier today - she's quite nervous about this, as it will determine whether she needs some more drainage tubes.

She's also very excited to watch Private Practice (the 1st season started last week here is South Africa) as she missed the first episode ... And she is enjoying a coffee table book about Elizabeth I, which her mom bought for her.

I think, all and all, a good day!

Just an update

I again spoke to Alice last night! I'm sure that once she has internet access again, and is able to update her blog she'll have tons of stories to tell!

We spoke mainly about the operation and how scared she was - but, seriously, who wouldn't have been??

She is also managing without O2 for longer periods of time, which is great news - I can't wait for the day when she doesn't rely on O2 all the time. As friends we always use to joke that we need to 'plug her in' (referring to her portable O2) whenever she came to visit ... and, when she would laugh, the machine would start to beep like crazy (probably thinking something is wrong) because she wasn't inhaling from her nose - we use to tell her that the one of fundementals of living is breathing, and she shouldn't confuse her machine (and I think, deep down, scare us)! We had some wonderfull times, and I'm sure there'll be many more to come in the future, albeit without her O2 machine :)!

This morning she is in a lot of pain, but as she said, when somebody 'ripped' open your chest, who wouldn't be in a ton of pain? Please pray that the pain subsides and that she can manage.

Also, a message from her mom (which I forgot to post earlier) - although the thought is appreciated, please do NOT send flowers or sweets to Alice. She may not have flowers and she is diabetic (CF related diabetes) - just a card at this stage will be great!

I also posted some photo's of Alice ...
The one of Alice and her sister, Chrislie on New Years Eve this year - Alice is on portable O2 and she still has her PICC line for the IV antibiotics.
The other one was taken last year in October, at my birthday party - we've been friends since primary school ... from left to right it's Louzanne (now living in Cape Town), Alice, and me.

She's back in the land of the living ...

Alice is back on planet earth... i.e. she can communicate to everybody! Just spoke to her - have been waiting for this moment for so long! She's sounding a little bit hoarse, but that's because of the vent pipe, but other than that she's sounding great - not short of breath at all! Isn't this just wonderful news?!

She's VERY bored, and annoyed - she's just irritated!

She's also in her own room in a general ward, having a view and verandah to sit on, as well as a TV set!

Will be talking to her again later this afternoon, so will write more then.

PS: Tried the photo thing, but not sure if the layout looks right....

Just wanted to let everybody know that if there are some of you guys out there who would like to send Alice a card via post, please contact me directly for the address. My e-mail address is antoinettegreeff@gmail.com. Thanks for all the support so far, it is really much appreciated!

Sunny days

I'm so happy to report that Alice is doing better as each day passes.

Spoke to her mom, who reports that Alice will hopefully be moved to a general ward tomorrow - she is currently in isolation in the ICU. Once in a general ward she will have her own private room with a TV, and she will be able to sleep much better, and have some full time company via the TV set! She is also returning to her old self, not wanting her parents and sister to leave at the end of visiting hours, and I'm pretty sure she misses all her friends. As the weather has improved in JHB (it was raining last week) she also got to sit outside for a while today. And, she managed without oxygen for a while, with her O2 sats being 86%. The doctor's hope to take her off the O2 from tomorrow.

Her mom also said that the doctor's believe that the first 100 days are critical, as the lungs and her body are busy adjusting to one another. But things are looking very good thus far.

Alice is also in for some fun visits in the near future ... most of her PE friends will be flying up at to JHB over weekends, and I believe her aunt from England will be visiting soon too.

I can't wait for her to be back in Port Elizabeth. We are having a wonderful summers day here and I'm sure she would've loved to go to the beach for a swim and tan session. Thinking back to how she was before her CF became so much worse, I think all her friends will have a lot of trouble to keep up with her once she is back home. So we better prepare ourselves...

Just spoke to Alice's mom, René. Alice is doing REALLY GOOD! Her mom said that she overheard two doctor's talking - the one saying that Alice is doing 'fantastic', and the other agreeing - isn't that just great?!

She's also developed quite an appetite - she's eating very well, and finishes all her food at meal times, as well as two Tab softdrinks.

On behalf of the Vosloo family - They would really like to thank everybody for their ongoing interest, support and prayers for them and Alice!

GOOD NEWS

Hi, Antoinette here, for the moment I will be updating Alice's blog - Chrislie will be travelling to Johannesburg to be with her parents and Alice today.

An update on Alice's progress: She's VERY GOOD! Since this morning she has been able to sit up in a chair, and she's been eating and drinking (she's managed to finish a whole packet of chips and a Tab softdrink). At the moment she still has two of the drainage tubes in, as well as some of the drips. The drip in her neck and the other tubes have all come out, and I'm very sure that she is much more comfortable now! She is in some pain, but, according to her mom, she's managing it fine. Her dad also told me that her O2 sats are 100% - this is really awesome and just breathtaking, really :)!

She also wants to let everybody know that she says 'hi'!

Will keep you updated as often as I get news!

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

Chrislie is packing in, I believe, everything she can find. We have traveled through her parents, her and Alice's room, trying to find just the right stuff to take with. Chrislie will be leaving tomorrow afternoon and will only return in time for Varsity classes. She is very excited to go and is truly an amazing lady in the way she cares for her family.

Riaan is also here and gives a hand where he can. It is strange to see my friend get ready to leave on her own. I am left with a fantastical sense of reality that Alice will be coming home, 'living' again. I don't know about you, but it is all to much for my small brain to even comprehend.

Sitting here is Alice's room, I suddenly (and actually for the first time), read a quote on her wall...

"It is the possibility of having a dream come true that makes our life INTERESTING"

Alice had a big dream; she wanted to live. That made her become the wonderful person she is today. Looking around, I see the nostalgic pictures that remind me what a full and amazing life she has lived up to now. We are truly excited to see what she will be able to do now that her body will not be restricted anymore!

Keep up the prayers...we feel God at work more and more. May we all see the glory of His love being enveloped in Alice's 'new' life...

Fantastic news on this beautiful, sunny late Sunday afternoon

Alice is not on the ventilator anymore! During my parents visit this afternoon, they took it off and she now has an oxygen mask on. The doctor is very pleased with her. Alice is still doing really good; she asked my mom for Tab soft drink. Praise the LORD!

Great news on this beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon

My mom just phoned me, Alice is doing very good!
Her fever and her white blood count is down. The doctor is very pleased with her condition, but Alice is struggling to stay awake. My parents sat at her side the whole morning and tried to keep her awake by speaking to her. She understood them and also wrote on a paper that she wants her oxygen (she doesn't need it). The ventilator is set at low level of usage and the doctor what to take it off but Alice has to be completely awake.
Alice is really doing good. She waved at my parents and showed a thumbs-up when they asked her how she is doing.
Thank you so much for your prayers!

Good news on this beautiful, sunny Sunday morning

Alice's fever is down! My mom phoned the doctor this morning; they told her that Alice's fever is down, but they haven't done a white blood count this morning. She is also more conscious and more relaxed. Praise the LORD!

A peaceful heart, brings new breath...

Just spoke to Chrislie. Her mom says that it seems that her body is accepting her new lungs, because she is starting to breath on her own. She is more peaceful and has received new medication which calms her. Her white blood count and temperature is still high, so please pray for that. Riaan and myself (Euzanne) are still with Chrislie and she is doing a great job keeping everyone up to speed. Thank you for all your prayers, we are feeling and seeing it becoming reality! Praise be to God...

Saturday Night Fever

The doctors didn't allow my parents to visit Alice this morning. Alice is still restless and she has a fever. Her white blood count is up again, which could mean that she has an infection.
Please pray for her to be calm and that her fever will go down. Thank you

Restlessness

My mom went to see Alice again this afternoon. Alice is very restless, especially when she sees my mom. It seems as if she just want to touch or hug her, but she can't - her hands are tied to the bed. Alice is also very frustrated with the ventilator. The doctor said that my parents should not visit her tonight, because its when she sees them that she gets more restless. And her restlessness will cause that the ventilator would have to stay longer in her mouth.
Please pray that Alice will be more calm and relaxed.

The News @ 2

During my mom's morning visit to Alice, the doctor told her that Alice is doing good and there is not any problems that I know of. Alice again tried to tell my mom something, but couldn't. Then my mom gave her a pen and paper and she tried to write something, but she is too confused. She is also still quite restless. Later on this afternoon, my mom will try the writing-thing again. My mom told her that I miss her and asked if she understood. Alice nodded her head, so at least she understands her.

I think I'll be flying up to Johannesburg on Monday afternoon. Can't wait! I probably won't be allowed to see Alice, but it would be nice to be there and spend the day with my mom while my dad is at work.
One of our cats, Emma, turned 9 years old today! Emma was Alice's cat originally, but later on I adopted her because no one in our house likes Emma. I must admit she can be a pain most of the time (she is VERY demanding), but she has her nice moments.

Thank you so much for all the support and messages!

Alice's condition is still the same. The doctor phoned my mom this morning to tell her how Alice is doing. They say that she is frustrated and restless (probably because the ventilator irritates her), but they are still happy with they way she is doing and with her progress. My mom will be visiting her again later this morning.

Alice is still doing fine. She was awake and tried to tell my mom something, but she couldn't because of the ventilators in her mouth. She also seems confused. The doctor sedated her to make her sleep again. According to the doctor, Alice is still doing as she ought to.
The staff at Milpark is taking good care of her and is very strict with visiting hours.