Wow....We are almost 6 months

Can you believe it? July, it is already July 2012. Time is flying by so fast. We are looking at almost six months post transplant. Wow!!! So much has gone on and so much more to come I am sure. When I sit down and start to think that just 6 months ago (come July 13th) I was sitting in a waiting room wondering what what going on in the operating room. Did they have him prepped yet? Did the LVAD come out? Is his old heart out? Is the new one in? And so on.... (of course I was getting updates about every two hours but you still wonder to yourself these questions). Those that have been following us know that we had a few minor speed bumps the first week post transplant then like nothing he was off and running (well walking). Then 4 months later (April) Russ did his first 5k and made it all the way around ( Not me though). Shortly after that, he started to ride his bike, starting small and now he is up to 6-7 miles each ride about every other day. In October we will be doing a second Heart Walk (5k), this is just amazing me. On June 1st we celebrated our anniversary and thought we were going to celebrate him going back to work. Well, the anniversary happened but not work. Since Russ drives a commercial truck there are California dept of transport medical rules that say they suggest the patient remains out of work for 1 year post surgery. So we wait until January 2013, oh the company laid him off also. OK THE RULES SUCK....but we are dealing with it. Stress and all. I know there is a reason for everything. Just not sure yet what that reason is but there is a reason for everything. Well, now that you all are up to date on us. I would like to say that we have had a few more LVAD groupies receive new hearts this year....all I can say is WOW :) keep em coming. Until next time.....

Biopsy results and etc...

Well, yesterday Russ had a right heart cath and a biopsy done. The right heart cath came back still on the high side but lower than the last one. So that was good. Today we got the results back from the biopsy and again it was "0" rejection and he got to lower the dose of prednisone, so that is even better news. Friday, tomorrow, he goes to get a physical done through the doctors at his work. On Monday he starts back to work. Oh, only fours day away....He can't wait. He goes in for a heart clinic appt on June 15th so stay tuned for more news then. Thanks AuraLee

Getting Closer

We are getting closer and Russ is getting more anxious to go to work. It has been a long time coming for him. It makes me nervous and happy all at the same time. I am happy because I know he is feeling so much better. I am nervous because I am thinking "is it to quick to be going back". I see him being able to do more and more with each new day. It has been only four and half months post transplant but it seems like a lifetime time. Every time I sit back and think about it all, it all still seems so surreal. A new heart, someones elses heart pumping away inside him. WOW!!! Each and everyone of you have been with us along this road and continue to ride along. Thank you so much for all the words of encouragement, words of advice, the prayers. Our road is not done yet. So I hope that you all will continue to ride along with us.

Best news of all.....

Well, after 10 months of not feeling good, having a relapse of congestive heart failure, diagnosed with needing a heart transplant, having the LVAD implanted, two open heart surgeries and 5 months of recovery, we have the best news. Russ is going back to work. He got the news today that his white blood cell count was about 6.0 and they have released him to go back to work on June 1....YAHOO!!!! I have to say I never thought this day would come. It has been so long and such a crazy road we have been on. I am not sure what normal is anymore. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we now move forward on our road with a new heart. Thank you to everyone who has been with us through everything, you all are awesome.

Prayers needed please

Ok, last friday Russ had his visit at Loma Linda at the heart clinic. The visit was good. He was able to be taken off of one of his expensive medications. Then he was told that he was able to start having a blood test that would check for rejection, that came back negative (woohoo).

We got home to a message about his white blood cell count being too low. They want it above 3 and his is lower than that. So, he reduce the dose on one of his meds (Cellcept)in hopes that it would help raise the number up. Today, he had blood taken to see where he was at and again the white blood cell count went down. Not good. So now he is totally taken off Cellcept and will be put on a 3 day shot treatment that is given to cancer patients in hopes that this will raise the number.

I have read that this is normal but it does scare me. Please pray that this is a small speed bump that we have to go over and that all is well.

Thanks
AuraLee

Another friday the 13th.......

Well, we had a visit today that brought some good and some not so good news. Good news is that he gets to get rid of another high cost medication. We are happy. Now the not so good news is that we got home to news that his white blood cell count is low. I guess they want to see a number above 3 and his is below. This means that his immune system is being too suppressed and he can very easily catch anything now. So hopefully by making adjustments to one of his meds he should be OK but they are watching his blood work.

Please hold good thoughts and prayers that the is a minor thing and he stays well.

Thanks.......

More good news

Russ had an echo yesterday and it was in the normal range where the doctors want him to be.  What does this mean?  Means goodbye to one of his $150 co-pay meds, woohoo.

More news, is the local pass area newspaper, Record Gazette, is going to be doing a story on him and this his buddy, Rich (also a heart transplant recepient).  When its out we will share it.

For now we are still going in the right direction.  Until next time........