In the hospital again... getting out MAYBE Monday!

Hello!  It's me, Trish.... writing you from my transplant floor in Dunn4 at Houston Methodist. As Caroline said, I came into the hospital again with a minor complication which we didn't know whether or not it would require surgery. I was doubled over and writhing in pain coming to the ER... I haven't had labor pains, but I felt like I was rushing to the hospital to deliver a baby!  In waves, it was excruciating pain, like 10 out of 10 and then would ease off again for another 8 to ten minutes and then back again for another minute of  severe, intense pain.  Poor Caroline was worried and driving so fast!!!

Beforehand, I was doing so well and working harder than ever with my post double lung transplant regimen, but after I was told by my docs to start eating and then changes to my other meds took place, I don't know what happened but as I have learned from pros on the transplant forum this is par for the course.  I can't say that it was a lesson learned 'cause I still don't know really what caused it.  At least now, when it comes on, I can't kinda tell what it will feel like. Although I was also told that it could feel and be like a multitude of other symptoms. Great!  LOL!

At the least, I got to come in and see all the friendly faces at Dunn4 and interact with them a lot better. They all can see that I am a chatterbox now. Last time, I could barely speak and couldn't get clear thoughts out fluidly.  It's all coming together with baby steps since the hemmoragic stroke during the transplant surgery on June 14.  I also met another couple yesterday whom the husband had a double lung transplant the week before me and he was in here for a gall bladder operation!  Seems like he maybe wasn't following the dietary restrictions, but it's all a new journey we have to learn and adapt.  It's hard when you've built a life time of habits doing completely the opposite things. 

I was praying last night in the wee hours of the morning, as I always do, and just sending vibes of light and warmth to all the people who have crossed my path during the start of my journey from my CF doctor in Austin who suggested that I get evaluated as soon as I could (perfect timing), to the nurse who was taking care of me last night plus all my loved ones, friends, people from around the world who have prayed for me, blessed me with donations for our huge financial strain we have undergone for just a taste of one more time to JUST BREATHE!  I will tell you that I didn't get a lot of sleep, as you know if you've been in a hospital "it ain't a happenin'" so I was up for hours saying all the peoples' names in my head that I remembered *hundreds or thousands, it seemed* and imagining that a happy, light blanketed stream of love would become engulfed all around you and you could feel all the brightness and love you have covered me with.  If you are on the page reading this post, then THAT is you!  Consider yourself loved and hugged by me!  I love you soo much!

An Unplanned Minor Obstacle On The Road To "Normal"

Trish very quietly took a trip home to Pflugerville this past Saturday, August 16, with her doctor's blessing and encouragement... sort of a dry run before she is allowed to leave Houston and go home for good.

YAY! I can eat with my mouth again!

Unfortunately, it didn't go as planned. She's had a lot of nausea with her transplant medications, which is normal, but the nausea got much worse on Monday. By Tuesday night, she was vomiting and in excruciating pain. Kevin took her to an excellent acute care facility in Pflugerville, where the docs ran some tests and did a CT scan and gave her IV meds to stop the vomiting. As soon as she was a bit more stable, we loaded her into the car with lots of pillows, and got on the road heading south.

After a three-hour journey that felt like it took months, with my poor dear little cousin gritting her teeth and occasionally squeaking in pain in the passenger seat, as I drove as fast as I dared and tried to avoid all the bumps in the road... here's what I posted on her Facebook page yesterday (Wednesday, August 20):

I brought Trish to the ER at her Houston transplant hospital today with a slightly more serious minor obstacle. As y'all know, she happily began eating real food a couple weeks ago. Last night, not so happily, she started having severe pain--doubled-over pain--and nausea. She's been admitted for IV meds, tests and labs, observation, and what will hopefully be a non-surgical solution to this problem... in the delicately immortal words of Charles Dickens, 'just a bit of undigested pudding.' Please keep sending bright thoughts and prayers her way!!! She loves all of you and is so grateful for your kindness and concern, as am I. xoxoxo and aloha from Caroline

Even as I write this, she's getting better. This was a mechanical problem, not a bacterial one, and not a rejection issue. No surgical intervention will be necessary! Her lungs still look good. We're hoping very much that she'll be back on track very soon, and released to go home very soon, too!

Thanks so much for all your love and prayers and support!

xoxoxo and much aloha,
Caroline (Trish's cousin)