Doctors completed a full heart biopsy this afternoon. The new heart is beautiful! I have some minor rejection factors and pressure which can be resolved by the proper chemistry of drugs. All people with transplants have a low immune system because the new heart or organ is not our own DNA and the body wants to fight it like a virus. This is why people with transplants take a range of drugs like; Prograf, Cellcept, Septra, Valcyte, and Prednisone. It's all a matter of chemistry and taking medication on time to help resolve issues and protect the new organ from rejection and failure.Unfortunately, because of the poor immune system and the fact my country is approaching flu, swine flu, cold, and more season it will be some time before I am able to go out into public places, which may be difficult for someone who enjoys people.
My kidneys and other organs are functioning beautifully. We worried about future issues with my organs having had protein losing enteropathy, which is working itself out. The varicose veins in my legs have dissappeared as well as some spider veins. My skin and color look normal. And my eyes are clear and blue. My daughter thinks I'm wearing new lipstick. The remarkable human heart works miracles in and of itself. I'm amazed and humbled!
Finally, for the past 5 years I've worn oxygen at night to help me sleep. We've had a concentrator in our home with a 50 foot chord. Eden followed the chord if she wanted to find her Dad. In addition, I had a fanny pack carrying a medication called milrinone, which flowed through a picc line into my heart for almost 10 months. Of course, the home-health care system put their logo right on front of the fanny pack so I felt like I walked around plugging the company. (For those of you in Utah, the only other guy wearing a fanny pack is Dell Schanze) My brother in law thought I should have imprinted paulcardall.com on the bag instead.
I've been looking forward to is doctors removed all of my chest tubes and IVs from my body. I'm able to walk around and enjoy the world without any strings attached. Because of this great news I posted an appropriate song on my playlist from Pinnochio. Thought you might enjoy these lyrics:I've got no strings
To hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings
But now I'm free
There are no strings on me
Hi-ho the me-ri-o
That's the only way to go
I want the world to know
Nothing ever worries me
Watch the scene from Pinnochio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4X1UEVGvwY
That is awesome! What a fabulous song for you :] and such a great movie too! We are so excited for your amazing progress! Your Thursday post was so terrific-we are so happy for you. Good counsel to remember & follow too. I'm glad you will be taking a break so that you can devote everything to your family and just enjoy life. I'll miss your updates but that's ok :] we are on your list! Thank you just for sharing so much for so long! Keep up the great work & best of wishes w/ all the meds now!
ReplyDeleteLove, Chelsea & John Phillips
That is great news. I bet it feels sooo good to get "unhooked"!!
ReplyDeleteso glad to hear
ReplyDeleteFantastic news! So happy for you.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to see an update from you. I'm even more happy to hear that you are more and more free and feeling better. I can't even believe what you have been through and am so glad that your new heart is providing a new YOU! Please keep posting updates, as I am now addicted to reading your blog and knowing you are alright! Great job! Enjoy being Pinnochio!
ReplyDeleteYea for you Paul. How amazing that must feel to just walk where you want without having to drag tubes and such along. We are just so thrilled for you!
ReplyDeleteHugs & Prayers,
Christina
Heart Momma to Jacob
Way to go Paul!!!! We are all so happy for you. I am guessing that the new lipstick is becuse you have the great saturations that you have always hoped for. We are so happy to hear that you are doing so well. Glad to hear that your cath looked fine. Kaidence has hers this November. I bumped it from Dcember to November just incase we are in rejection. We have already spent a Christmas at the hospital and try to not make it a habit. Ater all Life is to be lived (while being smart about it at the same time).
ReplyDeleteWe will have to have a 'get to together' sometime with all the immuno's that cant go anywhere this winter. We also stay home a lot more in the winter.
Take care, it is so great to see you doing so well.
That is amazing! I am so thrilled to read how good you are doing. I cannot imagine how great you must feel. I love that Eden thinks you are wearing lipstick. Your coloring must be a ton better!
ReplyDeleteOh Paul! Such sweet news! May I ask a favor? Would you mind addressing the Protein Losing Enteropathy. This is a concern for our all of our post-Fontan children. Would you let us know a bit about your experience. When were you diagnosed with PLE, what to watch for, what was the treatment...any information you can share from your perspective. Thanks so much. We are blessed to have you! We joined your music site...wonderful.
ReplyDeleteDell Schanze huh? You definitely don't want to be like that guy :) I bet you look like a whole new man, ready to run and play with Eden. I'll bet its nice to be "string free"
ReplyDeleteI am Holly Saunders Mckell's sister Lisa and I follow your blog for obvious reasons. Although we haven't met my heart is full and tears came to my eyes when I heard you got your transplant. May the Lord continue to bless you.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful news! The BIG man "upstairs" knew Paul Cardall needed nothing short of a PERFECT heart!!! We are so excited for how well things are going thus far.
ReplyDelete(You should post a picture of your new beautiful PINK lips...gotta love proper oxygenation!)
That is so fabulous Paul! I'm so excited for you! I definitely started singing that song in my head when you first posted in on FB!! I'm so glad everything is working out so well!!
ReplyDeleteYou are truly inspirational!! May Heavenly Father continue to bless you with your recovery!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that you are doing well. Glad that you have opportunity to have more time with your family.
ReplyDeleteNotre Père Céleste a répondu à d'innombrables prières ! Nous sommes heureux d'apprendre que vous allez bien, bonne continuation !
ReplyDeleteThat's a perfect song for your situation. I'm so happy to hear that you are now free of "strings". Hope the rest of your recovery continues to go well! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful news...we continue to pray for a smooth recovery!
ReplyDelete~Stephanie(mommy to Braeden HLHS)
http://braedensheartjourney.blogspot.com/
I love the lipstick comment. I remember going back to work after Ryker passed away and seeing all the pink, healthy babies and just really being in awe as to how blue our little guy and his friends were (or are!) So excited for you to have no strings holding you down, and can not wait for you to once again be able to emerge from your home. I guess that will be awhile but we look forward to seeing you at the IHH activities next spring/summer!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you Paul. I hope you get to go home soon and enjoy your family. I loved watching my first echo after transplant and actually seeing a whole perfect heart. After having Tricuspid Atresia it was fun to see a tricuspid valve and good ventricle. If you ever have a question for another patient, please feel free to contact me on Facebook under Lisa Keller James.
ReplyDeleteWe're so glad recovery is going so well. It is humbling to see such miracles and to enjoy such miracles in our own lives. I saw a talk on BYU TV once where the speaker said the Lord expects us to do three things with our blessings: be grateful, enjoy them, and share them. Thanks for being a great example!
ReplyDeleteJust want you to know I am one of many who pray for you everyday. It's wonderful to hear of all the great plans you are making. You offer hope to so many of us. My grandson was diagnosed with PLE after his Fontan 3 yrs. ago. It's caused havoc in Trey's life. He's turning 6 this week and we realize the many miracles he has had in getting this far in life's journey. It made my heart just leap with joy when you said your PLE symptoms are lessening. Yeah!! Thanks for the updates...it is so exciting that you are getting stronger and feeling better all the time. You're on a roll.... keep it up!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you posted again. I was afraid you would leave us all wondering how you were recovering.
ReplyDeleteHope you post a photo soon of yourself in lipstick ;) Eden is so funny. You never told us what you were doing when you got "the call".
I just love happy endings :)
Prayers continue for a germ free winter!
xxoo
Congrats and keep up the good work. You are an amazing person! You and your family only deserve the best! Good luck in your recovery!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful it is to be 'cordless' I am hoping for the same thing for my Miss P! I believe we saw you Friday, being wheeled out of radiology. Miss P and I were there awaiting a chest xray. I didn't want to call out to you since we have not actually met in person - only via email when you put Preslie's photo in your CHD awareness slideshow, but it was good to see you out and about, even if it was in a wheelchair, with a mask and only leaving radiology. Baby steps! :) So good to hear about the progress. May the Lord continue to bless you and your sweet family each day! He does love us, very much!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful it is to be 'cordless' I am hoping for the same thing for my Miss P! I believe we saw you Friday, being wheeled out of radiology. Miss P and I were there awaiting a chest xray. I didn't want to call out to you since we have not actually met in person - only via email when you put Preslie's photo in your CHD awareness slideshow, but it was good to see you out and about, even if it was in a wheelchair, with a mask and only leaving radiology. Baby steps! :) So good to hear about the progress. May the Lord continue to bless you and your sweet family each day! He does love us, very much!
ReplyDeleteYEA!!!!!! What a feeling it must be to walk around 'with no strings attached'! I remember the feeling of walking around the house when Gracie went off oxygen....it was so freeing! Can't wait to see your new shade of lipstick and you being 'tube free'!
ReplyDeleteThat is so perfect! I love the song! And I love the Dell Shanze comment. Funny!! Congrats on going home today, we wish you all the best and good luck with the winter flu thing, we are stuck inside as well. I'm coming up with projects to do, i am not a home body at ALL! It will be hard but it's not worth the risk of taking Libbi out into the yucky flu world. Enjoy your family, they are lucky to have you!!
ReplyDeleteMindi
Libbi's mama
Great news. I am glad that you are not tied to strings anymore too. I can't even comprehend what you must be experincing as it's a whole new lease of life. I am sure it will be hard to stay indoors, but just think of all this wonderful time you will have to just be Eden's daddy feeling well. Congrats. I pray that the recovery process continues to go amazingly well.
ReplyDelete(Hugs)
Carolyn Quigley
President, IHH
I started following your blog a few months ago after I “happened” upon it from a link in one of your music emails. I read your posts start from March 20 and working backward. I was particular touched by that post and one from February 27 in which you eloquently expressed your love for your wife and family and the support they give you.
ReplyDeleteI was quite moved by this and thought of my own eternal companion. I had been having some minor health issues and your situation made me grateful for my relative good health despite the fact that I had been ignoring these problems. It made me resolve to acknowledge these issues and get treatment.
To make a long story short what happened next was unexpected and has been a tumultuous roller coaster. I was diagnosed with liver failure due to an hereditary enzyme deficiency. Just as quickly my health took a nose dive and I am now in the process of enduring the multitude of tests and examinations require to be reviewed for listing on the liver transplant list.
I have appreciated your faith and the commonsense application of that faith to build strength in your life and those around you. I am trying to find that same power within me. But must confess that more times than not I feel gloom and despair.
Your testimonies have been a strength to me as I wander this unknown path. I hope that with time I too can find the power in my faith and in the gospel that you have. Over the past months I have pondered Elder Bednar’s sermon “Tender Mercies of the Lord” and how there are no coincidences. That these are in fact tender mercies from our Father in heaven. I thank you for being a part of the mercies that the Lord is extending to me and helping me to bridge this gap until I can find my own strenth and faith. I hope and pray the best for you and your family.
We are so happy for you. I am so happy you will be able to take a break and focus on your beautiful little family. Although I admit I will miss reading about this incredible journey you have pushed through. It gave me so much perspective and insight into how to prepare for my daughters upcoming open-heart surgery next summer. Thank you Thank you for letting us tag along on your ups and downs and deepest and most sacred thoughts and moments. I will contemplate on your sentiments often.
ReplyDeleteHip hip hooray!
ReplyDeleteSuch great news all around- so glad you are celebrating each moment.
You have shared such a large portion of yourself with all of us and now you have also received an amazing gift, which reminds me of this insight from Emerson, "The only gift is a portion of thyself."
I thank the heavens for all of the above.
Continued safe and string free healing and living!
What great news! I am thankful that your recovery is going well! I will pray for you tonight, for continued healing and recovery and to keep free from the germs and flu that like to roam this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad things are going so well and you getting to enjoy being tube-free! I remember when Annika went off oxygen after being on it for 7 months--it was so nice to be able to take her anywhere without that tube! And the house seemed so quiet without the oxygen concentrator--in a great way. I can't imagine what it must feel like to have a healthy heart for the first time in your life. What a miracle. Live it up for the ones who can't. They're cheering for you.
ReplyDeleteI just watched the Ed Yeates interview with you on KSL.com and it just brought tears to my eyes. You are an angel for so many people an I'm so happy for you and your family. You'll be making beautiful music for years to come and continue to bless the lives of so many. Thank you!
ReplyDelete