George's Diary
Discharge Week
Monday, February 14, 2011
This week was a lot of waiting. I was feeling a lot better and was aloud to walk around with Amy and Annie. Every morning the transplant team came in an checked my progress and the drainage in my tubes. We were just waiting for all the fluid to drain out before the last tube was removed.
On Tuesday, I had a special visit from Dr. Zuckerman, my doctor from Maine. He was very happy with my progress and was able to listen to my lungs. "Now that's how lungs are suppose to sound" he said.
Later on Tuesday the last drain tube was able to be removed. Boy, was that
The Big Surprise
Sunday, February 13, 2011
I kept bugging Amy all weekend on how and when Annie was coming. I thought she was flying down on Thursday, February 17 for vacation week. Amy strolled in on Sunday morning, gave me a kiss and tried to make me presentable. I asked "what are you doing?" "nothing," she said I will be right back.
In comes ANNIE WITH SCOTTY RIGHT BEHIND HER! I was shocked to see them both. They kept a secret from me! There was a lot of careful hugs and kisses. They brought tons of gifts and well wishes from people in town. Many thanks to everyone. Thanks Scotty for bringing Annie to me.
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My First Week Post Transplant
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The next few days were a huge adjustment for me. I was ready to do everything myself but I kept forgetting that I just had major surgery. Connie's favorite line to me was "George, you just had a double lung transplant!" The staff was very helpful and understanding to me and my needs. I finally met the physical therapist on Tuesday and I got to take my first walk. With walker, drain tubes, iv's and oxygen and Amy helping away I went. It felt really great to move. When the therapist left I asked her to leave the walker but she said "I don't think I can trust you." She knows me already! The next few days were spent getting the pain med cocktail and anti rejection drugs regulated. I was having a lot of pain and really bad dreams. I was very fidgety and was ready to get up and move. They started to give me food or what they called food to eat. Nothing tasted good and looked even worse. Amy and Connie went to the hotel for some sleep and called in at 6:30 a.m. for an update. Priscilla, the ICU nurse, said I was doing great all my vital were stable and they would slowly wake me up early afternoon. The girls went out for omelets and arrived at the hospital at 11:30 a.m. to find me sitting up in the chair saying "where have you been!" They just stood there with surprised looks on there faces. Amy said I just took and shower and had breakfast. We arrived by Northeast Ambulance at NY Presbyterian Hospital at 3:30 a.m. A special thank you to James, Kia and Kim for the awesome ride down in the back of the unit during a snowstorm. Select a Page
The Weekend in ICU and the move to a regular room
Monday, February 7, 2011
On Sunday I called and Skyped with Annie. It was good to see her.
The Doctors were impress with my progress and said I was ready to be moved to a regular room. Since it was Sunday it would be better to wait until tomorrow.
I woke up Monday mornin
The First Day!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Upon waking up I could feel the breathing tube in my throat and my reaction was to pull it out. This prompted th
Day of Surgery
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The transplant team was waiting for us at admitting. I was brought to the 9th floor for pre-surgery prep. I was given IV antibiotics and signed all the paperwork. Amy and I tried to get a little sleep before the day was to begin. At about 8:30 a.m. I was transported down to the 5th floor for pre-op so that meant more IV's, blood work and more papers to sign. The whole staff was very
