Saturday 23 June 2012

Warning: Keep away from lungs!

Yesterday's physio left me kind of astonished. There was a man, we'll call him athletic guy, who was just incredible. He's obviously very driven and not someone who would give up easily. This guy requires much more oxygen than I do, yet he was pushing himself 5 times more than anyone else there. Super human, perhaps?

Two other men there were post-transplant and were telling some ICU stories. Ah, the hallucinations I have to look forward to; at least I have some experience under my belt. My stay in the ICU, in 2008, involved my bed turning into a train. From what I heard yesterday...I may wake up thinking everyone in the room is trying to steal my new blowers.

However, with my outstanding physical strength (due to physio), I will catapult myself from my hospital bed, chest tubes, IV's, delirium and all, and deliver a body slam, cannonball, uppercut, drop kick, flying clothesline, etc. to any one who tries to reopen my chest cavity.

Once again, after physio my sugars plummeted. This time, pre-physio, I did check my levels and I was 4.4 (a healthy number is between 4-7). I had some oreos in my purse, thanks to Brad, so I stuffed a couple in me to try to stay in the normal range throughout my workout.  I managed to get through my workout, plus standing around gabbing with everyone (and being lectured by Carman that YES, Pamela will pick us up today to go to their place for dinner) before I felt the effects of a low. I check and I'm at 2.7.

Janey (my dietitian): don't read this part!

I drive the rest of the oreos down my throat and fly to...what else?...Starbucks and grab a tall blonde with hazelnut. I realize I should have healthier alternatives to raising my levels on hand, but I guess I can't be perfect at everything, right? By the way, I have to admit something: I have an obsession with hazelnut coffee cream. Yesterday, as it was on sale, I bought 3 large bottles of it...just to have it. Going without is just not an option.

Anyway, I am documenting all of this so I have it to review with the nurse practitioner/certified diabetes educator at the CF clinic. Control...that's all a person really wants, right? I'm being given a new life with this transplant, the last thing I want is diabetes to take over.

On our way home, we stopped and bought a disposable camera. Now I'm really ready for Cletus to screech. I can't wait to see the pictures of my old, crusty, dilapidated lungs, along with pictures of my new, ready-for-some-serious-action ones! If anybody wants a copy to hang in their living room, just send me a money order. It's the new trend; I've seen it on that new HGTV show, "My lungs, Your house".

Last night we decided to get crazy, being a Friday night and all, and ended up at...the grocery store. It was a wild time among the cantaloup and bean sprouts. We took the wheelchair, saved me from huffing and walking, plus saved a cab ride as the groceries rode home on my lap. Brad pushed the cart and I pushed myself (just around the store); wow! Not easy guys! My arms are pretty freaking weak; I'll soon have to step it up to 5 lb weights.

Last night in the park Griffin met a new friend, Napoleon. He hasn't played like that with any dog since we got here. It was the cutest. I'm pretty sure they exchanged email.

The tango?

Hard day boys?
                                                           
                                                                       

6 comments:

  1. Hey Jess! I know about the low blood sugars and Im like you are, grab something good to boost it but dont grab what we really should... lol I dont know what Id do without Janey... Ive been to full lately to do my feeds :-( If I eat ALL day long then hook up at night the next morning I will vomit cause I over load... How can someone over load and not gain a single ounce??? Makes me sick just thinking about it!! I hate seeing all the weight loss commericals... Lose 20 lbs in a month, ummm what about us??? We dont wanna lose, did they ever think that some people would love to gain even 20 lbs in a year?? Make a pill to gain weight!!! They even took the donuts out of Tim Hortons at the QE2 :-( Now what am I gonna eat??? No french fries, no donuts, no "good" chips except the baked ones, no "healthy" food for us left up there anymore :-(
    Jennifer Crouse

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ya, it's pretty tough. CFRD is much, much harder to manage than the CF (for me personally). I'm not big on junk food, but regardless, there's carbs in virtually everything. ugh!

      Delete
  2. Jot down what you are eating before going to physio too. That plays a huge part in plummeting numbers. I always take 2 jolly ranchers to the gym with me. I didn't once and had to leave before I was ready because I could feel a low coming on. Dam CFRD!

    I will happily give each of you 5lbs from me :) take it, they are all yours!!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do record everything...it's just a never ending battle. However, I'm determined to win the war!
      Keep the 5 lbs Amy; you'll need it if you get an infection. Besides, I'm sure you look hawt!

      Delete
  3. So Jess, once the transplant happens, will the CFRD still be there, will it be less intense, will it go away? This is something I should probably know, but I actually don't. I assume once you're getting normal oxygen, etc. every organ in the body should benefit, including pancreas, eh? Anyhoo, that is my ignorant question of the day.
    : ) Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish!!!! Unfortunately, the CFRD is here to stay. Post-transplant it will get harder to manage for a bit due to the anti-rejection meds and also those that don't have diabetes have a strong chance of developing it.
      However, I will try to negotiate, I'll give up the diabetes in exchange for...something...haven't figured that out yet ;)

      Delete