Lifesavers for Latasha

I wanted to do a quick update today. Latasha and I were up super early to start our first round of outpatient follow-ups and get into the new battle rhythm of our new normal.

We will have to do this one or two times a week as the transplant doctors tweak medications and test for rejections. Here is a little sample of what our days will look like:

0500—Wake up and get ready, all while struggling with fluid overload and swelling—no food due to fasting labs.
0600—Be out the door to fight with Cleveland traffic on I-90.
0630—Fight the oncoming nursing shift traffic for a parking spot close to the elevators and Skywalk.
0645—Check into the lab.
0700(30) – Get called into the blood lab for the vampire, I mean phlebotomist, to draw a ton of blood to establish if all medications are at therapeutic levels.
0800(30)—Check into imaging for X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds as needed. Today’s was just an X-ray. Also, get morning medications taken as they’re on a strict schedule.
0900—Check into spirometry to measure lung capacity and strength for breathing in and out.
1045—Meet with transplant clinic staff to review medications, appointments, and other administrative items.
1100—Meet with the lung transplant doctor to discuss the medical aspects and the following care plan.
Noon—Maybe lunch if time permits. More medications have to be taken on schedule.
1300—Any add-ons based on labs and

Then rinse and repeat. If there is a bronchoscopy, add two days to that cycle.

Afterward, we celebrated Tasha’s discharge by going to her favorite Korean restaurant, Miega, with her parents. The food was great, and seeing Tasha’s appetite return was terrific.

We had to get the iconic Cleveland Script photo to round out the day since it is literally two blocks from our apartment. So until we get rested, we are both in desperate need of a physical, mental, and emotional break and rest; I won’t be posting. As I mentioned before, I will work on updating our blog website and then start using that and halting links here.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all the continued support, prayers, and love. It has truly meant the world to us; we feel it!