J
Jessica_B.
Hi everyone,
After experiencing rejection two weeks ago and having been given all sorts of drugs to resolve the problem I got a pacemaker last Tuesday. With the pacemaker recovery really kicked into high gear! I'm on the treadmill, am now managing 10 minutes, and as soon as I heal up some more I'm going on the bike. There's still no hope of going home anytime soon, although I have been given half a promise of moving into our own place very close to the hospital until December when the risk of acute rejection will have diminished considerably.
Someone said - can't remember who exactly - that transplant must be the ultimate heart surgery nightmare and that people with valve replacements shouldn't complain that much. Well, it's true in terms of heart transplant being the very final resort but the surgery in itself is not worse than valve replacement. Because of denervement I have very little pain from the new heart. The difficulties have been found mostly in the immuno suppression therapy. It's been hard to get used to and above all, the omniprecent risk of infection is still one I have to learn to live with.
What else? Well, we are all settling in and I for one have to get used to the idea that I will most likely have many good years before me. Then comes the dreaded question; now what? What shall I do with the rest of my life?
I will find my way again eventually. For now, I will rejoice over the fact that I have a choice in the first place.
Once pathology was through with my old heart I got to keep the artificial valves (av and mv). I will keep them to look at if the pity parade ever gets the music playing again
.
My very very best to everyone!
/Jessica
After experiencing rejection two weeks ago and having been given all sorts of drugs to resolve the problem I got a pacemaker last Tuesday. With the pacemaker recovery really kicked into high gear! I'm on the treadmill, am now managing 10 minutes, and as soon as I heal up some more I'm going on the bike. There's still no hope of going home anytime soon, although I have been given half a promise of moving into our own place very close to the hospital until December when the risk of acute rejection will have diminished considerably.
Someone said - can't remember who exactly - that transplant must be the ultimate heart surgery nightmare and that people with valve replacements shouldn't complain that much. Well, it's true in terms of heart transplant being the very final resort but the surgery in itself is not worse than valve replacement. Because of denervement I have very little pain from the new heart. The difficulties have been found mostly in the immuno suppression therapy. It's been hard to get used to and above all, the omniprecent risk of infection is still one I have to learn to live with.
What else? Well, we are all settling in and I for one have to get used to the idea that I will most likely have many good years before me. Then comes the dreaded question; now what? What shall I do with the rest of my life?
I will find my way again eventually. For now, I will rejoice over the fact that I have a choice in the first place.
Once pathology was through with my old heart I got to keep the artificial valves (av and mv). I will keep them to look at if the pity parade ever gets the music playing again
.My very very best to everyone!
/Jessica
