Dolphin Quest / Quest Global Management
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Just Keep Swimming - January 15, 2011
Hello All,
Just a quick note to confirm my release from the hospital today. I will be going home on a higher dose of steroids, 40 mg a day. They hope to start weening me down again as early as this next week. Dr. Botha, my surgeon was on rounds today. I just love him. He is very pleased with everything he is seeing as far as my liver numbers go. He actually said having the one bout with rejection can be a good thing. Even though I was treated for it 2 different times, they consider it 1 episode. It gets worrisome when you reject 3 times, then the chances of liver damage are high, and being compatible with the new liver decreases. He did confirm that the serum sickness is rare with liver transplants, about 1 case a year. I guess I helped them meet that statistic early in the year. I asked the resident and surgeon about any restrictions that I have, and they said there aren't any. I am cleared to resume any activity I was doing prior to my transplant. That is good news to me. None of this was caused by not resting enough, or doing too much too soon. I am just experiencing some of the complications that come with a liver transplant, and then the side affects of treatment given for those complications. Like Dr. Sorrell said, I have to remember how well I did with the transplant, and that complications can occur. I realize this, I was just hoping there wouldn't be any. Just like a good friend (who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer) quoted from the movie "Finding Nemo", when Dori the fish said, "just keep swimming" and that is what we have to do. I continue to be so thankful for all of the blessings, and the gift of life I have received, that never changes no matter how bad my day is. You are all among my many blessings, and give me the strength to swim against the current.
God Bless You All,
Trish
Just a quick note to confirm my release from the hospital today. I will be going home on a higher dose of steroids, 40 mg a day. They hope to start weening me down again as early as this next week. Dr. Botha, my surgeon was on rounds today. I just love him. He is very pleased with everything he is seeing as far as my liver numbers go. He actually said having the one bout with rejection can be a good thing. Even though I was treated for it 2 different times, they consider it 1 episode. It gets worrisome when you reject 3 times, then the chances of liver damage are high, and being compatible with the new liver decreases. He did confirm that the serum sickness is rare with liver transplants, about 1 case a year. I guess I helped them meet that statistic early in the year. I asked the resident and surgeon about any restrictions that I have, and they said there aren't any. I am cleared to resume any activity I was doing prior to my transplant. That is good news to me. None of this was caused by not resting enough, or doing too much too soon. I am just experiencing some of the complications that come with a liver transplant, and then the side affects of treatment given for those complications. Like Dr. Sorrell said, I have to remember how well I did with the transplant, and that complications can occur. I realize this, I was just hoping there wouldn't be any. Just like a good friend (who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer) quoted from the movie "Finding Nemo", when Dori the fish said, "just keep swimming" and that is what we have to do. I continue to be so thankful for all of the blessings, and the gift of life I have received, that never changes no matter how bad my day is. You are all among my many blessings, and give me the strength to swim against the current.
God Bless You All,
Trish
Much Better Morning - January 15, 2011
Good Morning,
I woke up this morning and I can raise my arms without assistance from the other, and make a fist, YAHOO!!!!! Yesterday, I had to use my left arm to help raise my right just for a blood pressure. I saw much improvement last night, but I was a afraid after being in bed all night I would wake up with stiff and painful joints once again. It must be this wonderful pillow top, top of the line mattress that the hospital has. It cured me.....NOT. I guess I have to give credit to the wonderful steroids I am taking. To all of my friends out there with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and there are several, I am so sorry. I have felt your pain, and my heart goes out to you. I am fortunate mine should go away, I wish I could do something to take yours away. Now I know how it feels when Scott's jaw cramps up when he tries to chew. Although it usually doesn't affect his speech, the BS still seems to run out easily. I guess I am feeling better :)
I hope to be on my way home today. My kids both have basketball games tomorrow and I hate to miss them. They are still waiting on a couple of blood tests that they ran for some rare virus. Once that is back and is negative, there should be no reason for them to keep me. I will be out of isolation for sure.
Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for all of the prayers, they are wonderful. If you could add to your prayer list, one of my teachers from my high school, Sharen Wroblewski, who has been so very supportive through this journey of mine, is sending her son Cory, who is an Army pilot back to Iraq today. This will be his second trip. Cory's wife Hope, who is also an Army pilot, will be deployed to Iraq at the beginning of February. Their service is so important to me and our country, and I appreciate them very much. We just want them home safe. I will keep you all posted, thank you for all of the support. You inspire me.
Love,
Trish
I woke up this morning and I can raise my arms without assistance from the other, and make a fist, YAHOO!!!!! Yesterday, I had to use my left arm to help raise my right just for a blood pressure. I saw much improvement last night, but I was a afraid after being in bed all night I would wake up with stiff and painful joints once again. It must be this wonderful pillow top, top of the line mattress that the hospital has. It cured me.....NOT. I guess I have to give credit to the wonderful steroids I am taking. To all of my friends out there with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and there are several, I am so sorry. I have felt your pain, and my heart goes out to you. I am fortunate mine should go away, I wish I could do something to take yours away. Now I know how it feels when Scott's jaw cramps up when he tries to chew. Although it usually doesn't affect his speech, the BS still seems to run out easily. I guess I am feeling better :)
I hope to be on my way home today. My kids both have basketball games tomorrow and I hate to miss them. They are still waiting on a couple of blood tests that they ran for some rare virus. Once that is back and is negative, there should be no reason for them to keep me. I will be out of isolation for sure.
Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for all of the prayers, they are wonderful. If you could add to your prayer list, one of my teachers from my high school, Sharen Wroblewski, who has been so very supportive through this journey of mine, is sending her son Cory, who is an Army pilot back to Iraq today. This will be his second trip. Cory's wife Hope, who is also an Army pilot, will be deployed to Iraq at the beginning of February. Their service is so important to me and our country, and I appreciate them very much. We just want them home safe. I will keep you all posted, thank you for all of the support. You inspire me.
Love,
Trish
What Doesn't Kill You Will Make You Stonger - Jan 14, 2011
Good Evening,
I have thought about that subject line several times in this past 24 hours, and I remind myself that this day too shall pass. On Wednesday I had noticed a slight sore throat and some stiffness in between my shoulder blades and neck later in the day. But I pushed that off on pitching hay to the horses and cattle earlier in the day. By the time I got home Wednesday evening after driving about 45 mins, I was unable to close my hands when I let go of the steering wheel. It was all so bizarre. I got out of the car and it seemed that all of my joints were painful.........what the hell !!!!! Those were my exact words. I phoned the transplant coordinator on call, and she had was not familiar with these symptoms, and wanted me to go to the ER. We had just gotten the kids to bed, and it was so cold, I chose to go to bed and hit the clinic first thing in the morning. After lots of blood work, a chest x-ray, strep, and influenza tests, everything was negative. I was also having a lot of nausea to top it off. Getting up and walking was a chore. The transplant team wanted me down in Omaha right away to be admitted, they thought for sure it was something called SERUM SICKNESS, but until other viruses were ruled out I would have to be in isolation. The serum sickness is a rare side affect of the Thymo treatments I had. The serum sickness usually comes on weeks after the treatment. If it is uncommon, you can bet I will get it. The treatment is once again some steroid treatment. Nothing like I had for the rejection, they are giving me 40 mg a day. I am feeling a lot better tonight. My hands are still bothering me some, my jaw seems to be much better. It was even hard to chew food, don't worry I could still talk.
The good news is, once I am better it should not reoccur, unless I need future Thymo treatments. There is more good news, my liver functions are looking great. My good attitude slipped a little yesterday, and I will be the first to admit it. I melted down, but I am trying to find the positives and focus on those. I should go home tomorrow, they are still waiting on a few more blood tests to come back first. Once everything else is ruled out, and the steroids seem to help, that is how they know it is serum sickness. One of these days I am just going to send out an e-mail to say hello, and that my life is so boring and uneventful with nothing to report. I hope all of you are doing well. We got a little break from the frigid cold weather, and that is always a relief. Thank you all for your support and prayers, it all means so much.
Love,
Trish
I have thought about that subject line several times in this past 24 hours, and I remind myself that this day too shall pass. On Wednesday I had noticed a slight sore throat and some stiffness in between my shoulder blades and neck later in the day. But I pushed that off on pitching hay to the horses and cattle earlier in the day. By the time I got home Wednesday evening after driving about 45 mins, I was unable to close my hands when I let go of the steering wheel. It was all so bizarre. I got out of the car and it seemed that all of my joints were painful.........what the hell !!!!! Those were my exact words. I phoned the transplant coordinator on call, and she had was not familiar with these symptoms, and wanted me to go to the ER. We had just gotten the kids to bed, and it was so cold, I chose to go to bed and hit the clinic first thing in the morning. After lots of blood work, a chest x-ray, strep, and influenza tests, everything was negative. I was also having a lot of nausea to top it off. Getting up and walking was a chore. The transplant team wanted me down in Omaha right away to be admitted, they thought for sure it was something called SERUM SICKNESS, but until other viruses were ruled out I would have to be in isolation. The serum sickness is a rare side affect of the Thymo treatments I had. The serum sickness usually comes on weeks after the treatment. If it is uncommon, you can bet I will get it. The treatment is once again some steroid treatment. Nothing like I had for the rejection, they are giving me 40 mg a day. I am feeling a lot better tonight. My hands are still bothering me some, my jaw seems to be much better. It was even hard to chew food, don't worry I could still talk.
The good news is, once I am better it should not reoccur, unless I need future Thymo treatments. There is more good news, my liver functions are looking great. My good attitude slipped a little yesterday, and I will be the first to admit it. I melted down, but I am trying to find the positives and focus on those. I should go home tomorrow, they are still waiting on a few more blood tests to come back first. Once everything else is ruled out, and the steroids seem to help, that is how they know it is serum sickness. One of these days I am just going to send out an e-mail to say hello, and that my life is so boring and uneventful with nothing to report. I hope all of you are doing well. We got a little break from the frigid cold weather, and that is always a relief. Thank you all for your support and prayers, it all means so much.
Love,
Trish
Going Home - January 6, 2011
Hello again,
I got some good news today at clinic. My liver function tests continue to improve, therefore I have been released to go home. I will need to have my labs drawn 3 times a week in Kearney, for at least 2 weeks to make sure everything stays where it needs to be. My prograf level (anti-rejection med) was a little high so they did decrease my dose. We will pray for good numbers, and I will see Dr. Sorrell on the 25th of the month. I am working tomorrow, then mom and Peyton will head down to pick me up. I am excited to see the kids, and I want to get home before it snows. Sounds like it is supposed to start on Saturday, and possible heavy and blowing snow on Sunday. Bring it on, as long as I am home. Thank you all for the prayers, and messages. Your support continues to amaze me. Have a wonderful weekend.
All My Best,
Trish
I got some good news today at clinic. My liver function tests continue to improve, therefore I have been released to go home. I will need to have my labs drawn 3 times a week in Kearney, for at least 2 weeks to make sure everything stays where it needs to be. My prograf level (anti-rejection med) was a little high so they did decrease my dose. We will pray for good numbers, and I will see Dr. Sorrell on the 25th of the month. I am working tomorrow, then mom and Peyton will head down to pick me up. I am excited to see the kids, and I want to get home before it snows. Sounds like it is supposed to start on Saturday, and possible heavy and blowing snow on Sunday. Bring it on, as long as I am home. Thank you all for the prayers, and messages. Your support continues to amaze me. Have a wonderful weekend.
All My Best,
Trish
Living Life in Limbo - January 5, 2011
Good Morning,
I wanted to drop a quick message to all of you. My labs continue to improve, so yesterday they chose to pull my central line due to risk of infection. Hopefully my labs will continue to come down, if not, you guessed it, they will put in another central line and start another course of treatments. But I have hope that they will return to normal. I just had labs today, and tomorrow I will have labs once again and clinic in the afternoon. If everything looks good, I think I will be released to go home, and have labs 3 times a week in Kearney. I am praying for this, I miss the kids so much. I know they are in good hands with grandma, and that is a huge blessing. Larry had a sales meeting in Houston today, so I sent him along his way. There is no reason for both of us to sit here waiting. It will do him good to work a little, and have a break. Although he has not complained, I see him getting a little restless.
Our niece Libby and her husband Justin had us over for dinner on Monday night, and we had a wonderful meal and a good visit. Tiffany, Libby's sister was also there. They also went to dinner with us last night, along with my friend Pat, Jim and Shirley. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by so many caring people. I am doing some work today and trying to keep myself busy and sane. I feel so good, I cannot even tell I had a liver transplant 7 weeks ago, so it is hard for me to be patient some days. Jim and Shirley have a dog named Radar, and he and I have become good friends. You guessed it, I had to attach his picture. We have been walking in the afternoons and checking out the neighborhood. He is some dog I tell you, full of personality. I hope all of you are having a great start to a New Year, and a wonderful week.
Trish
I wanted to drop a quick message to all of you. My labs continue to improve, so yesterday they chose to pull my central line due to risk of infection. Hopefully my labs will continue to come down, if not, you guessed it, they will put in another central line and start another course of treatments. But I have hope that they will return to normal. I just had labs today, and tomorrow I will have labs once again and clinic in the afternoon. If everything looks good, I think I will be released to go home, and have labs 3 times a week in Kearney. I am praying for this, I miss the kids so much. I know they are in good hands with grandma, and that is a huge blessing. Larry had a sales meeting in Houston today, so I sent him along his way. There is no reason for both of us to sit here waiting. It will do him good to work a little, and have a break. Although he has not complained, I see him getting a little restless.
Our niece Libby and her husband Justin had us over for dinner on Monday night, and we had a wonderful meal and a good visit. Tiffany, Libby's sister was also there. They also went to dinner with us last night, along with my friend Pat, Jim and Shirley. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by so many caring people. I am doing some work today and trying to keep myself busy and sane. I feel so good, I cannot even tell I had a liver transplant 7 weeks ago, so it is hard for me to be patient some days. Jim and Shirley have a dog named Radar, and he and I have become good friends. You guessed it, I had to attach his picture. We have been walking in the afternoons and checking out the neighborhood. He is some dog I tell you, full of personality. I hope all of you are having a great start to a New Year, and a wonderful week.
Trish
To Trish from Michelle and Crew at Dolphin Quest - Jan 2011
Feel the strength and healing spirit as we pass it from our family to you and yours.
Love Dolphin Quest.
Michelle Campbell, MS
Director of Marine Animals
mcampbell@dolphinquest.com
Love Dolphin Quest.
Michelle Campbell, MS
Director of Marine Animals
mcampbell@dolphinquest.com
Last Thymo Treatment - January 3, 2011
Good Morning,
I am on my last Thymoglobulin treatment, with good music onboard to help the time pass by. I continue to tolerate them for the most part. Yesterday I woke up with a rash so they gave me more IV Benadryl when I came in for labs. They were not concerned, however they extended my infusion time to from 4 to 6 hours today. I forgot to mention that they used a GE Logic E ultrasound unit to guide the needle for my last liver biopsy. This is the same ultrasound unit I install for the Equine Vets. I offered to find the spot for them, in hopes of getting a discount. I feel really good today, and hope to be released to go home tomorrow following my labs. If so they will remove my central line tomorrow as well. The Thymo is bringing my liver numbers down nicely. They are reaching normal limits. The real trick seems to be keeping them there on oral medication alone.
The kids returned home yesterday so they can head back to school tomorrow. It is so quiet without them. They probably don't feel like they had much of a vacation, spending most of it away from home in a hospital. They never seem to complain, and just continue to roll with the flow. I am very proud of them. We went to Lisa Bartenhagen's for dinner on saturday night. Lisa and I graduated from UNMC together, and she is the clinical director of the Radiation Therapy program here at UNMC. It was a nice visit. Lisa and her husband Mike have a beautiful home in Gretna, with 3 wonderful children. Gracie has spent some nights there since my transplant in November. Tonight we are going to our niece Libby's home in Papillion for dinner. We are being taken care of very well.
I wish you all a Happy New Year. I am hoping for a healthy New Year, without liver rejection. I continue to count my many blessings, and pray for a boring and uneventful 2011.
Trish
I am on my last Thymoglobulin treatment, with good music onboard to help the time pass by. I continue to tolerate them for the most part. Yesterday I woke up with a rash so they gave me more IV Benadryl when I came in for labs. They were not concerned, however they extended my infusion time to from 4 to 6 hours today. I forgot to mention that they used a GE Logic E ultrasound unit to guide the needle for my last liver biopsy. This is the same ultrasound unit I install for the Equine Vets. I offered to find the spot for them, in hopes of getting a discount. I feel really good today, and hope to be released to go home tomorrow following my labs. If so they will remove my central line tomorrow as well. The Thymo is bringing my liver numbers down nicely. They are reaching normal limits. The real trick seems to be keeping them there on oral medication alone.
The kids returned home yesterday so they can head back to school tomorrow. It is so quiet without them. They probably don't feel like they had much of a vacation, spending most of it away from home in a hospital. They never seem to complain, and just continue to roll with the flow. I am very proud of them. We went to Lisa Bartenhagen's for dinner on saturday night. Lisa and I graduated from UNMC together, and she is the clinical director of the Radiation Therapy program here at UNMC. It was a nice visit. Lisa and her husband Mike have a beautiful home in Gretna, with 3 wonderful children. Gracie has spent some nights there since my transplant in November. Tonight we are going to our niece Libby's home in Papillion for dinner. We are being taken care of very well.
I wish you all a Happy New Year. I am hoping for a healthy New Year, without liver rejection. I continue to count my many blessings, and pray for a boring and uneventful 2011.
Trish
Energizer Bunny - December 31, 2010
Good Afternoon,
I am about 15 minutes from completing my second Thymo (ATG) treatment. Once again my body has tolerated it very well, and I have had no adverse reactions. My liver function numbers have improved once again. My AST went from 127 to 81, ALT 223 to 179, Bilirubin 3.3 to 1.9, WBC 17.5-7.5 which is a normal value. They seem very pleased with these improvements. It has been a long day for the kids in a small room, but they did survive, as did mom. Thank goodness for computers and a netflix account. Tomorrow we will come back to the UNMC treatment center for central line care and more labs. My next treatment will be saturday, and they will diffuse it in 4 hours instead of 6. We were fortunate to have Larry's cousin Gary bring us all a wonderful lunch, and stay for a great visit. We are staying with the Simmonds family in Pappilion while we are here, and the hospitality is first class. I wish you all a good day and a Happy New Year. I hope to pass on good news from here on out, I have the faith. Bring on 2011, farewell to 2010, it has been some journey.
Love,
Trish
I am about 15 minutes from completing my second Thymo (ATG) treatment. Once again my body has tolerated it very well, and I have had no adverse reactions. My liver function numbers have improved once again. My AST went from 127 to 81, ALT 223 to 179, Bilirubin 3.3 to 1.9, WBC 17.5-7.5 which is a normal value. They seem very pleased with these improvements. It has been a long day for the kids in a small room, but they did survive, as did mom. Thank goodness for computers and a netflix account. Tomorrow we will come back to the UNMC treatment center for central line care and more labs. My next treatment will be saturday, and they will diffuse it in 4 hours instead of 6. We were fortunate to have Larry's cousin Gary bring us all a wonderful lunch, and stay for a great visit. We are staying with the Simmonds family in Pappilion while we are here, and the hospitality is first class. I wish you all a good day and a Happy New Year. I hope to pass on good news from here on out, I have the faith. Bring on 2011, farewell to 2010, it has been some journey.
Love,
Trish
Power of Prayer - December 29, 2010
Greetings to all,
The power of prayer is a wonderful thing. I had my first Thymoglobulin treatment last night which infused over a 12 hour span, and it went wonderfully. The worst part was the blood pressure cuff inflating every 15 mins for 12 hours, which makes sleeping a challenge. I had no side affects from the long list that they gave me before administering it, which was a huge blessing. I have to admit I was a little scared, and I don't think I scare easy. The Thymo meds can come from the thymus glands of rabbits or horses, even though my heart is partial to the horse, my bag hanging on my IV pole stated rabbit right on the bag. Hey if it works, I can love rabbits too. I even had carrots for lunch.
After my liver biopsy yesterday I had them cap my IV thinking that if I was readmitted they wouldn't have to start another IV. It was a good thought, but the treatment is quite potent and if they infuse it through the vein in my arm it can damage the vein, as well as my arm. So before my treatments could begin they had to insert a central line into my subclavian vein, located near my clavicle. It will remain there until my treatments are over. My next treatment will be tomorrow, then maybe saturday and monday. The good news is they are releasing me from the hospital and I will come in as an outpatient for labs and the Thymo treatment at the Lied Transplant Center. They will be infusing the treatment over a shorter time tomorrow, and that can make a difference on how I react to the meds. But I am confident that I will do fine. My liver functions looked much better today after only the one dose, so that is very encouraging. I am learning the meaning of patience, but I think I may be a slow learner. I am working on my installs coming up, and trying to be organized so when the time comes I can get back to work. Or make it easier on the one who will fill in for me. It is really tough to sit here and have them convince me I am sick, I feel really good.
Thank you all for those wonderful prayers and support that are such a huge blessing in my life. You all give me so much hope, which allows me to overcome that dreaded fear that creeps up every now and again. I am just trying to convince this liver that we can get along. During my biopsy yesterday, Dr. Shaffer let Larry and the kids stay in and watch. Peyton chose to stay back a ways when he saw how long the needle was, and give me a thumbs up. But you will not be surprised to learn, Gracie stood right behind the doctor holding the band-aid. They both lift me up everyday.
All My Love,
Trish
The power of prayer is a wonderful thing. I had my first Thymoglobulin treatment last night which infused over a 12 hour span, and it went wonderfully. The worst part was the blood pressure cuff inflating every 15 mins for 12 hours, which makes sleeping a challenge. I had no side affects from the long list that they gave me before administering it, which was a huge blessing. I have to admit I was a little scared, and I don't think I scare easy. The Thymo meds can come from the thymus glands of rabbits or horses, even though my heart is partial to the horse, my bag hanging on my IV pole stated rabbit right on the bag. Hey if it works, I can love rabbits too. I even had carrots for lunch.
After my liver biopsy yesterday I had them cap my IV thinking that if I was readmitted they wouldn't have to start another IV. It was a good thought, but the treatment is quite potent and if they infuse it through the vein in my arm it can damage the vein, as well as my arm. So before my treatments could begin they had to insert a central line into my subclavian vein, located near my clavicle. It will remain there until my treatments are over. My next treatment will be tomorrow, then maybe saturday and monday. The good news is they are releasing me from the hospital and I will come in as an outpatient for labs and the Thymo treatment at the Lied Transplant Center. They will be infusing the treatment over a shorter time tomorrow, and that can make a difference on how I react to the meds. But I am confident that I will do fine. My liver functions looked much better today after only the one dose, so that is very encouraging. I am learning the meaning of patience, but I think I may be a slow learner. I am working on my installs coming up, and trying to be organized so when the time comes I can get back to work. Or make it easier on the one who will fill in for me. It is really tough to sit here and have them convince me I am sick, I feel really good.
Thank you all for those wonderful prayers and support that are such a huge blessing in my life. You all give me so much hope, which allows me to overcome that dreaded fear that creeps up every now and again. I am just trying to convince this liver that we can get along. During my biopsy yesterday, Dr. Shaffer let Larry and the kids stay in and watch. Peyton chose to stay back a ways when he saw how long the needle was, and give me a thumbs up. But you will not be surprised to learn, Gracie stood right behind the doctor holding the band-aid. They both lift me up everyday.
All My Love,
Trish
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