It’s been one year and 11 months since my heart and double lung transplant. Some days, it feels like forever ago. Other days, it feels like yesterday.
I’m happy to report that, since my last update, things have continued on a positive trend!
May was a busy month. We surprised my mom for Mother’s Day. We went to my youngest nephew’s high school graduation. We went to visit my aunt and uncle.
It was nice being able to drive a few hours, stay overnight, and drive home without being exhausted and swollen. Prior to the transplant, I would swell and be in a lot of pain when I tried to travel anywhere. So, I am still surprised I don’t swell from traveling now. I’d also be exhausted for days. Last month, for each trip, I was able to come home and just keep on going, without lying in bed for days to recover. It is still a new feeling to me, and I’m still trying to get used to that. I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever get used to feeling like this, because it is so different from how I’ve ever felt before.
I’ve been baking and cooking a lot more. Not just that I’ve been doing it, but that I’ve been excited about baking and cooking. Prior to the transplant, I loved being in the kitchen, especially to bake, but I would always end up swollen, in pain, and exhausted. After the transplant, I had absolutely no desire to cook or bake. I didn’t even want to be in the kitchen. It made me really sad, and I didn’t know if I’d ever have the desire to cook or bake again. I am thrilled that my love of baking and cooking has returned. It took a long time, but I’m glad it’s back!
I’ve been baking a dessert of the week. It’s allowed me to try out new recipes as well as some old favorites. If you’re interested in following my dessert-of-the-week baking adventures, please follow my bakery’s Facebook page, Butter Dreams and Sugar Wishes Bakery.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1G12dBBvvF/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Prior to the transplant, I was an avid reader. After the transplant, I lost that spark for reading as well. Again, it made me really sad, as reading was part of my identity for my entire life prior to the transplant. Slowly, over the last few months, my love of reading has returned. Now, I have several books on my To Read list.
One of the gifts I received while in the hospital recovering from the transplant was an inspirational calendar. Here’s a photo of today’s message:
I’m not sure I ever screamed, but I definitely cried a lot after the transplant. There were many days when I wanted to give up, but, if I had, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Like I said, some days it feels like it took forever to get here. Other days, it doesn’t feel like it took very long to get to this point.
I still read other transplant survivors’ stories and am in awe at how quickly some of them bounce back. Then, there are others who took longer than it took for me. In the back of my mind, though, I keep asking these questions:
- Is this really my new normal?
- Is this just a phase, and I’m going to end up being sick again?
- How long is this going to last?
I’ve read many stories of some people with heart transplants, lung transplants, or both heart and lung transplants who needed a second (or sometimes even a third!) transplant a few years after their first transplant. I honestly don’t know what I will do if I ever need another transplant. I just don’t think I could go through all of that again. And I don’t think I’d want to put Chris or my family through all of it again.
So, while I am grateful to finally be where I am today, it was a difficult journey to get here. I am excited and hopeful for the future, but, in the back of my mind, I keep wondering when things are going to go downhill. Have I really stopped being sick, or is it faking me out, giving me a taste of what life could be just to snatch it away in the blink of an eye? I hope this positive trend continues, but it’s really hard to think it’s permanent.
As I’ve said before, I think of my donor every day, multiple times a day. I haven’t written my second letter to my donor’s family yet, but I will do that before my next appointment. It is so strange having someone else’s heart and lungs inside of me and not knowing anything about that person.
In the last month, there has been only one day when I’ve gotten sick to the point of vomiting. I think it was from medication, though. There are still days when the medications make me feel sick to where I need to go lie down for an hour or so, but, for the most part, I am able to have fairly normal days. It’s been nice being able to plan things or make appointments and actually be able to follow through on them. Like I said, though, in the back of my mind, I just keep wondering how long it will last.
I have been able to eat foods without being sick. I don’t know if that means the gastroperesis has gone away or not. I’ve been able to eat some raw veggies, like lettuce and tomato on a sandwich or a taco, without getting sick. I haven’t had the courage yet to try to eat a salad to see if that will make me sick. It has been so nice not vomiting, though.
Next month will be my two-year anniversary! My plan is to reread all my posts as well as all the posts Chris has written and reflect on everything that has happened over these 24 months.
I hope you enjoy the photos from the last month.
Until next time, I leave you with my mantras:
Be thankful for every breath!
Glow through what you go through!
Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it!
#heartanddoublelungtransplant #transplantjourney #thankfulforeverybreath #glowthroughwhatyougothrough #tomorrowisanewdaywithnomistakesinit #organdonationsaveslives
Lifesavers for Latasha 
Leave a comment