Updates

Greg got a call from the transplant hospital today - in a few short words, they squashed his dream of getting off the inhaled medications any time soon. (sigh) It seems that they did grow a small amount of mild pseudomonas from his lung cultures last week. This means that the nasty buggers made their way from his nasal cavity down into his healthy lungs. What does this mean for him? Well, first, he is still considered "healthy" and can is not having any type of rejection episode - so no need to fret over that. Second, he will now be on inhaled Colistimethate (Colisten) for the next few months and take Azithromycin for the next few months as well.

I am not sure what other medication modifications need to be made because Greg was only able to speak to me for a few minutes between getting changed out of his work clothes and heading out to a Brewers baseball game with his friend. Needless to say, it is a small blow but a blow nonetheless. I was praying that he would finally be free of the inhaled medications and actually be able to live more of a normal life - more of the life he deserves with everything he has been through. I have to admit that I was looking forward to getting one of our bedrooms back as well - the room that is formally known as the "medicine room" where he does all of his inhaled medications. I can't complain though because this is still 1000 times better than where he was less than a year ago. I still remember it - he lost his closest uncle to lung (asbestos) cancer last September and got his miracle lung transplant in November. It was so hard to have someone close to him die of a lung disease when he himself was at the end stages. When his older sister, Diana, passed away at 16 years old, Greg was still a healthy 14-year old. When his uncle passed, he had already gotten a number of dry run calls on his transplant, was on 4L of O2 24/7 and couldn’t do much of anything. His whole body was turning bluer every day - but we never lost hope and kept our faith strong.

And here we are today. Greg has made it through the good and the bad. It is ironic because many people think they are superhuman after a double lung transplant and think their health problems are a thing of the past. But, Greg and I knew better - as Greg always said - you are trading one disease for another. Our roller coaster ride illustrates that. One day the world is your oyster and the next day you are reminded of how fragile your body is. You are immune-suppressed and anything can happen if you don’t pay attention. Live for the day but remember to prepare for tomorrow - even if you are not promised tomorrow. Take care of yourself and remember that God is in control - Always.