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
