infection relief

So I've been complaining about shortness of breath in my last few blog posts when walking or climbing stairs (more than I'm used to or expect with 40%-ish lung function). So yesterday morning when I was out of breath after just walking from my car to desk at work, and after feeling sooooo tired lately I decided to go to the Dr, even though he can't treat my chronic rejection any more than it's already being treated and even though I was there just over 2 weeks ago.

Had bloods done, x-ray, lung function (wasn't down by as much as I expected given how crap I felt) was 38% FEV1%, 6 min walk test (O2 sats were about 94% when I started with a heart-rate of 133, which is high, even for me! After 6 mins of relatively fast walking it was 83% and HR 159). Still felt like it should have been worse judging by how I felt.

Then the bloods showed elevated white cell count and CRP (ie infection) and I felt sssoooo relieved! Even more relived when I had a temp of 38.7 degrees C and Dr said my chest sounds crap even though I'm not coughing at all! It means it's actually something that can be TREATED and not just my lungs suddenly deciding to decline way faster just before our US trip just to piss me off! Must have picked up something at work (where SO MANY people have been sick and it sounds like a hospital waiting room with all the sneezing and coughing), but who cares right? Corporate Culture dictates that you go to work, not matter how sick. Chris has also been sick (thanks to someone at HIS work who sits across from him and came in on Thursday VERY sick). THIS is why some post transplant patients DON'T work at all, but I wanted a normal life which comes with this risk so it's just something I have to deal with.

Luckily I wasn't admitted (not that I would have minded too much, sometimes you just want to feel better) but sent home with oral antibiotics for 2 weeks, Slow-K (guessing potassium was low), 30mg of Prednisone for 5 days and 2 inhalers. Also been booked off for the rest of the week with strict instructions to REST. This is NOT a problem as I really feel I need the rest.

Hopefully by the weekend I'll feel like a brand new person and can carry on looking forward to our American Dream holiday.