Eighteen Months

Eighteen months.

Eighteen. I just caught myself humming the Alice Cooper song. I got distracted.

I've been distracted a lot the last few months but over all, I've been relatively well enough. There seems to be transplant patients who do better than I do, who come out of the hospital without any issues what-so-ever, feel great, and their blood-work and kidney and liver functions are wonderful. Then, there are transplant patients who are constantly ill and always in the hospital with infections, breathing issues, fungus or bacteria growing in their lungs, low white blood counts, and/or low kidney functions. I have discovered it's not unusual for some lung transplant patients to need kidney transplants some time after their lung transplant because the medications can destroy the kidneys. Also, the medications transplant patients take can destroy bone and weaken muscle. Some patients have problems with osteoporosis. And not life-threatening, but certainly inconvenient, are the other usual side effects of the medicine, like tremors and forgetfulness.

Anyway, I seem to be somewhere in the middle. Nothing majorly wrong, thankfully, but enough to limit me. I've adjusted my days and weeks accordingly. It does frustrate me but I think I'm getting somewhat used to it. Perhaps I'm dealing with it more efficiently. Or at least I am trying. Transplant life is different. But it's my life now and I don't complain.

My latest trip to Cleveland revealed that my pulmonary function is wonderful. My meningioma (brain tumor) has not grown. Good! We are still working on controlling the migraines. I have pretty much run the gamut of migraine medications so my doctor has switched up some of my other medications to see if we can have any success that way. I cannot take some migraine medications because they will interact with what I'm already taking, or they will be too hard on my kidneys (which are not functioning all too well due to the harsh medications I am taking). I was also allergic to a migraine medication I tried recently, adding to the already limited list of options. I also completed my third round of Botox injections into my head and neck and my neurologist raised the dosage on one of the preventatives I am on.

At this point we will see where this takes me. I am having blood-work done weekly until my levels stabilize. And, I am focused on reducing my migraine triggers and trying my best to stay out of the ER. I also ordered new prescription glasses that have rose-colored lenses. A rose tint is supposed to help reduce light sensitivity, which many migraine sufferers have. Maybe in a few weeks I'll be humming a John Conlee tune. I'll let you know.