August 13th clinic

Well, today marks 1 year and 8 months post transplant.......

Russ had his clinic appt today...he goes every three months now. Overall, he is doing good still. He went alone this time since I am sick and did not want to share with everyone there. The doctors told him his blood pressure still on the high side but ok. He needs to be a bit more active outside of work and the best of all he needs to lose 20 lbs (why is it good news, i have been telliing him this for a long time now, so glad it was a dr doing it now). Now we wait for the results from his echo also done today. And we do this all again in three months 

Tomorrow (June 13) another milestone...

Well time does march on.....

We are now approaching another mile marker (so to speak).  June 13th, this makes it a year and a half post transplant for Russ.  Woohoo!!  And also my dads 80th birthday, so Happy Birthday dad.  You and Russ can celebrate together your milestones.

Been back to work 6 months (as of June 14th).  Russ is loving every minute of it and is doing great.  Work has been keeping him busy and that is what we both have wanted.  With him being so busy I am able to be a domestic engineer (hahaha).  I am wanting to start a business and am in the process of trying to put together some ideas.  Esty here I come.

We now head in to clinic every three months.  I kinda miss going in so often and seeing everyone.  But then I like not going in so often as this means Russ is doing so good that they don't need to see him.  We are normal again!!  Well, our new normal.....

Congrats Russ!!!  Keep it up and keep doing great.  As I say, one day, one step at time.

Thanks as always to everyone for all that you do.  Don't forget we are here with any and all support for you too.

Thanks
AuraLee

January 13th - A time to celebrate.....

Well, it’s time for me to start reflecting on things again…….Let’s see if I can do so without going on and on and on.

As time moves forward I find myself thinking here what today is. Better yet what day tomorrow is. January 13, this day one year ago became such a lucky day for Russ and myself. It was Friday the 13th, Friday January 13th. As I sit here the night before what became a very important date to us, I am thinking about what has happened in just one year.

A year and half ago I was put into a position that I thought I would never really need to be in, yet. (I know we all have that same thinking). The position of needing to be someone’s caregiver, my husband’s caregiver. I can still remember to this day most everything and how it happened. Friday, Jan 13, 2012 will be remembered as sitting in Sizzler with another couple (a husband who is a hearts transplant recipient and his wife & now our friends). I was going with the thought of asking so many questions about living with someone who had an LVAD. Instead, about three bites into my meal the phone rings and all I am hearing is “its time” get here ASAP. THERE IS A HEART FOR HIM……OH WOW

Well, we get there, he gets settle, he goes in for surgery later in the evening and gets back to his room by morning just before the sun rises. The next week has some speed bumps that need help but get taken care of, then he gets to go home and we start a new life (so to speak), and the rest is history as we say.

A year of good reports, each new day brings one step closer to that normal life that he and I had. We met so many great people that have given us so much support over the months. Whether we have met you or just exchanged support or words via Facebook, just know that you are all a part of our extended family. This past year and a half could not have happened the way it did without you all.

So as Russ celebrates his first birthday, I know I can speak for both of us when I say “thank you”. We thank our families, friends, neighbors, our church family and our LVAD & Transplant groupies.

We wish you all the best on your own journeys. We are with you every step of the way with all the support and prayers that you may want or need. Each and every day is special, as are each and every one of you are.

8 months and counting......

Hello ya'll, Today marks the 8th month post transplant for Russ. He is doing good. We just visited the Heart Clinic and as we normally do got a good report. Russ has been having issues with his blood pressures being high some days but the doctors are watching it and controlling it with meds. His last allomap (blood work for biospy) came back with no rejection. Coming up in October he will have both an allomap and a regular biospy done so that the transplant team can compare the results. We have started to really watch our diet to help get the extra pounds off that were put on while Russ was on prednisone. Gotta love it, it makes you more hungry. The doctor told Russ that he should be exercising at least 5 days a week doing some kind of cardio so we will get going on a exercise program here now. He is hoping to get back to his bike riding soon. All and all, Russ is doing good each day. Those of you that have followed us since the beginning and continue to follow, Thank you for all the support. Until next time......

Time is marching on......

Well, I am sure I am jumping ahead here but, woohoo, 7 months now. Russ is post transplant 7 months now and going strong. He is riding his bike 3 days a week, doing yard work like crazy (what he is allowed to do). We are just trying to get through this heat this summer. The only thing that Russ is still have issues with is swollen ankles (which does happen to be getting better) and now his blood pressure which we are watching closely. Me...I just need a job really bad. _______________________________________ A funny story....We took a drive the other day, we live about 70-80 miles minimum from Los Angeles. I have to laugh at my hubby cuz he just was non-stop talking the whole way. He gets that way when he is hungry or tired but when I asked him he said no I am not either one. WOW....he said I just feel so good I have all this energy. hehehe. Boy I am not used to this, he has been so quiet for so long, I don't know what to do. Its like have to get to know a whole new person. _______________________________________ We get to see his Cardiologist for a stress test monday, I know Russ will do ok and his doctor will be happy how his is doing....will update after we go. Until next time....Stay cool!!!

Still going good......

Well, this last week was the monthly clinic visit for Russ. A little funny story, we get up to go to the appointment and head over on a Monday, get there to find out that the appt is not until the next day. Gotta love it, well that was a good practice run as Russ puts it. So, on Tuesday we do it all again, this time the right day. The visit was an awesome one, we saw another LVADer that got his new heart on July 5th. Another guy that was never on the lvad had gotten his heart also, there was a couple that the husband received his heart about 10 years ago, also a 23 year old that had a transplant when he was 4 weeks old. WOW.....we had a blast talking to them all and comparing notes. We onto the news....Russ' clinic visit went good, doctor took him off of one blood pressure medicine that probably was causing some of the swelling in the ankles and we got to lower the prednisone. Overall, we are still heading in the right direction. Then Russ did his allomap(biospy), his number was 29 (not quite sure what that means)the doctors say that if he ever got up to 34 then they would be looking at him to see what is going on. But so far so good, no rejection. Next clinic visit is next month so until then.......

Friday the 13th......

SIX MONTH MARK.....Woohoo!!! Who says that friday the 13th has to be a bad day? Not us.....This is the third one this year so far and the second for Russ with a new heart. We no longer think of the it as "so whats going to happen now". We think "Oh great we have another friday the 13th, what good thing will happen today". As with all of us who have gone through receiving "the call", I can remember and I think will always remember like it was yesterday what happened. Most of you know that we were at lunch with friends, we just got to the restaurant and ordered and I was two bits into my salad. My cell phone rang, of course by that point I had the phone number for the hospital down real good, I looked at it and said oh loma linda. There was our life changing call. Onto the hospital to wait wait wait....Now its oh wow it has been six months. What seems like just yesterday one day, seems like forever the next. Thanks to everyone that have been following us. Our first year is not up as yet and there will be more to share. Hope you all will stay with us on our "Road with a new heart". And as a fellow transplantee says " and the beat goes on", Thanks Todd, I stole your saying :)