Living on the frontlines

I’m on the home stretch of making it to a year post transplant. The first year feels like such a big mile stone! So much has happened! I tell people it has been a roller coaster ride, and I’m not kidding. I’m at a stage where I think I’m experiencing post transplant PTSD. Actually, I wonder if the psychological world needs to come up with another term for the emotional fallout from traumatic medical events. For me, at least, it isn’t the same as what I read about in people who have experienced PTSD from combat, assault or other types of trauma. I don’t startle easily. I’m not worried about what might be around a corner. What I am is emotional. I know some of that could be the medications. I can cry at the drop of a hat. Little things bring back memories and the waterworks just starts flowing. This time last year I had the transplant clinic appointment where they told me I should start thinking about coming into the hospital. It was one of those mile stones I had prayed I’d never reach.

This is, hopefully, my last month of having to do nebulizer treatments four times a day for an hour each time to combat one of the infections that came with my new lung. One of the most frustrating things about these treatments is the time. It wouldn’t be so bad if I could get work done while I was doing it. The tricky part, however, is to keep the medication flowing properly, I have to hold my head level and straight. Not seeing well, I tend to bend forward to look at everything. I’ve tried doing the HPS Network’s social media while I’m nebbing. That works as long as I can hold my phone up right in front of my face without bending my neck or chin. Eventually, my arms just get tired! I’ve tried knitting. That works as long as I’m doing something very simple. I’m not a talented enough knitter to do complicated stitches without looking (although I have blind friends who can do it.) Then this morning I had a shower idea! My best ideas tend to come to me in the shower. It might be hard to

We've added another person with HPS to the registry. This puts us at 68 to go on this year's Hundred People Search. Keep up the outreach! 

We have added one new person to the HPS registry. This puts us at 69 to go on this year's Hundred People Search (HPS).