Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Continued Progress

A few updates:

Tricia was moved to a bigger room a few days ago.  Most of the rooms in the hospital are incredibly small, but four of the rooms on this ward are bigger than the rest.  This might not seem like a big deal, but for us it was a huge blessing.

She had her first big bronchoscopy yesterday.  She has been having bronchs nearly every day in her room, but they've been short and simple.  Yesterday's bronch took place down in the bronch suite downstairs under anesthesia.  They took a long look at everything and cleaned the lungs out and took some biopsies to check for rejection.  We have yet to hear anything, so we're assuming everything looked good.

Tricia passed her second swallow study this morning, which means she should finally be able to drink liquids and possible some soft foods.

We've been told if xray and blood gasses look good today, they may pull a few more chest tubes.  She has four remaining.

When I arrived this morning, Tricia was without an IV poll for the first time in several weeks.  She is down to just a few doses of IV meds/antibiotics a day, so she can now go several hours at a time without being connected.  Again, might not seem like a big deal, but it means a lot more freedom and mobility for Tricia.

She is still in some considerable pain, mostly due to the remaining chest tubes and the atrophy of her muscles.  She is walking a bit further every day, with her best being 14 laps two days ago (yesterday was a wash because of the bronch).

There is also talk of removing her trach before she is discharged.  The first transplant, Tricia kept her trach for a few weeks after she was discharged. 

In other news, Tricia was the first of around a dozen transplants over the past two weeks.  They always seem to come in waves.  The surgical team has been busy, and we have seen several friends join us on the stepdown unit, for which we are thankful.

Thank you for your continued prayer!

Nate


21 comments:

Anonymous said...

So happy for this news! I know you guys are anxious to get home and be a family again. Praying that comes soon!!
Teressa Dixon, NC

lg823 said...

14 laps sounds awesome! keep up the great effort, Tricia! Prayers for continued healing!

Anonymous said...

Althought I rarely post comments I just wanted to let you know that I continue to read your blog and offer up prayers each day. I am sure there are many others who do the same. So if it might seem like there aren't a lot of comments posted remember the many quiet ones out there. God bless.

Anonymous said...

Well done Tricia! Keep going strong! Thanks for the update Nathan. Prayers continue for all of you!

Kim in Canada

Jenn said...

Thank you for taking the time to update us on Tricia's progress. I can speak from experience, the size of the hospital room really does make such a difference in how you feel and how much progress you make. So glad you've gotten a bigger room.

Tee said...

Praying. Understand completely about the larger room.

Amy said...

Great news! Sending prayers for continued progress and less pain for Tricia.

Maridon said...

Thanks for all the updates. So wonderful to hear of all the little blessings Tricia is receiving each day. I know you are both so thankful! Continued prayers for total healing, total acceptance of the new lungs, and eating real food soon! :)

Lois said...

I am thrilled to hear about Tricia's progress. I will be praying that they will be able to remove chest tubes (at the right time) and reduce the pain for her. Thanks for keeping us updated. Blessings to all of you.

Anonymous said...

Did they give Tricia a bigger room because you asked for it or because she's a Duke celebrity? :-)Lisa

Anonymous said...

Thanks for expressing exactly what I would have said if posting. Lots of prayers have been said God Bless.

allyk said...

So happy to hear that Tricia is making good progress. I hope her pain is eased and she continues to heal.

Unknown said...

Ahh! God is so good! Very thankful to read such wonderful news! Prayers from South Dakota.

CFHusband said...

"Did they give Tricia a bigger room because you asked for it or because she's a Duke celebrity? :-)Lisa"

Neither actually. There are usually a few empty rooms on the ward at any given time, but they always keep the four larger rooms full. When one is vacated, the try to move in another patient as quickly as possible. It was simply Tricia's turn. We were pleasantly surprised.

Lisa said...

Nate and Tricia thanks very much for the update,good to know you guys are rejoicing in the "Little things"Tricia is very brave and strong!I probably coulden't even make it through one of those bronchs! let alone every day!
keeping up the love and daily prayers here in sunny san Diego
Lisa and ty

Marikje said...

I have been following you since before her last transplant...SO HAPPY this has been going well. Our church family has been praying for all of you! Love reading the updates...I was sad when you stopped updating the blog : (!

Vivian said...

SO HAPPY for you all. God has truly honored our prayers for Tricia. I will be so happy for her to be back home, well and back to being a full time wife & mommy.
still praying for God healing hand on her!

John and Michelle said...

So happy to hear this wonderful news! I missed it when you were not updating the blog so I'm just catching up. I started reading your blog before your sweet baby girl was born. My son is going to be a future heart/double lung transplant patient so I have always been interested in seeing how AWESOMELY WELL you two do it!! Thank you for sharing your lives with us that you don't even know! Prayers and love from Florida!!

Leslie said...

Continued prayers for Tricia's recovery.

Julie said...

I have been following your incredible story since before Gwyneth was born... keep up the great work and keep fighting the good fight! Thoughts and prayers from South Australia!

Anonymous said...

So happy for your family and the progress Tricia is making. God bless you all! (I am missing your Twitter updates, I am a follower, but it says your page no longer exists?)

Continued healing and blessings on Tricia!