Waking Up (Part 3 of Transplant #2)


Trying to wave
On August 17th, I finally “woke up”.  I will never forget the smile on Scott’s face when he popped his head in my room before shift change.  He looked so happy to see me and I was elated to see him. He approached my bedside smiled,  wider and said, “Hello.  It’s so good to see those beautiful blue eyes.”

When he explained to me he had to leave due to the nurses’ shift change, I remembering feeling like it was going to be a long time until I saw him again and became despondent.  He assured me he’d be back very soon and gave me the time.  I saw the clock on the wall, but I couldn’t comprehend whether he meant a.m. or p.m. and became very frustrated that I couldn’t communicate that with him, as I’d not been extubated yet.  


 I also remember having my hands and fingers not cooperate to try to wave or to be able to write him my questions. Nurses who’d evidently taken care of me in the days prior, came in to say how excited they were to see me awake, or they would wave to me through the large glass window from the other room across from my bed.

Scott explained to me that I'd been struggling to wake up and had fluid pooling on the back of my brain that had caused a bit of concern for the team taking care of me.  I'd been "out of it" since the transplant 5 days ago, and had not wanted to wake up, so the staff was so excited that I'd finally emerged from my slumber.

The days that followed flowed together, as one by one different tubes and lines were removed.  And as each medical device was eliminated it was a small celebration for Scott and me. But it was also an adjustment for me.  As the feeding tube was removed it meant I could eat, but it also meant I had to swallow all the medications and supplement they had been administering through the feeding tube.  There were more medications and different protocols than I'd experience 26 years ago.

In addition to the standard immunosuppressants and supplements, there were antibiotics and several nasty tasting liquids medications for fungal infections.  My pills had to be cut because I couldn’t swallow very well, so that doubled the number of pills I had to take and it nearly took me an hour to swallow them all down.  By then I was too full to eat breakfast, and I had the same number each night before bed.

Eventually I made it to the full pills but it took quite some time to get to that point.
The other big change in protocol was the diabetic side of it.  Two of the meds affect the pancreas and I was now required to have my blood sugars checked four times a day: before breakfast, lunch, dinner and just before bed.  After the blood sugar was checked, I’d get the appropriate dose of insulin in the form of an injection.  These injections rotated between the back of my arms or my abdomen.

 On August 20th I had my first visitors-a few of my dear friends drove down to see me.  They helped comb and braid the tangled mess of hair that I had tried to comb, but only succeeded in pulling out it was such a rat’s nest.  It was a lovely visit.
My hairstylists fixed my hair
A few of my best girls!


On August 21st I had more visitors.  My Aunt Joanne and her husband stopped by for a brief visit and then…two redheaded munchkins appeared bribing the ICU nurses with cookies and artwork to let them come see Mom!  The charge nurse, being a mom herself, allowed it.  It was so good to see them; I only wish I wasn’t so spacey and my speech was still impaired by the breathing tube that I could only talk in a whisper.  I look at the photos Scott took of the visit and I was so happy to see them, but you wouldn’t know it…I just look worried. 
Aunt Joanne & Uncle Don stop by for a visit
Bribing the nurses-who could refuse these two cuties?













First visit with Mom post transplant













Leaving ICU
First walk in step-down unit with mask on
On August 22, I was released from the ICU to what was called the “Step Down Unit” which is basically less nurse monitoring and you get discharged from the hospital from this unit. I had fantastic nurses in ICU and continued to have fantastic nurses in the step-down unit as well. I was blessed with a private room with a view of the fountain area in front of the hospital.  It was in this unit where rehab began as I worked on being able to get out of bed on my own, sitting in a chair for longer periods of time, and walking in the hallways. 


Having fun in new private room


During my stay in this room, my visitors included my brother, nephew and my mom.  The kids also had a chance to stop by again with Scott’s folks.  I went on my first walk with  the kids and then took a wheel chair ride out of the unit with Leah pushing me.










On August 29th, we had a visit from the pharmacist to go over all the medications and instruct Scott and I how to test the blood sugar and administer the insulin shots.  It was too overwhelming for me, and I’m so thankful that God blessed me with Scott because he took over this task once we got to the condo.  I attempted it once, but several of the medications cause tremors and my hands shake a lot, so I accidentally cut myself with the testing needle.  Scott fired me from doing any diabetic treatment after that.

On August 30th, 19 days after being admitted to hospital and 18 days post-transplant, I was released to our condo in Foster City.  These are pics Scott took of it before I came home.  The condo was full furnished.  All those bags were full of food, cleaning supplies, toiletries etc. compliment of my girls-who fully stocked us with everything we could possibly need. 

Waiting for discharge papers

My "bag-o-meds"

First time outside in 19 days

Car ride to condo
Heard this song and felt it was appropriate for this installment.

Alive Again-Matt Maher
https://youtu.be/naFLe6mHV3w








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