to all from Gwynne: I'm back, after a big scare

[Guest guest]

Hi Gang,

I got back home last Tuesday but only last night began to

sift through e-mails... a real challenge when you're this far

behind. I won't be able to read all posts, with Kate's wedding

in just one month, but I'll try to hit all the highlights.

Aspen, Colorado was beautiful. I had a lovely time for several

weeks, although it was harder to breathe at that altitude. We took

jeep trips, went to the music festival and heard some beautiful

music, had a blast on July 4th, rode the gondola, went to an

art and antiques fair and 2 local markets, ate some delicious

meals, relished the incredible weather (it was 107 here

yesterday), did some shopping, took some beautiful walks, had

picnics, and saw lots of amazing flowers everywhere. My visiting

friend wished she could move there! My dad is still there and is

really enjoying himself, which pleases me so much.

I hate to have to tell y'all that I've hit the first bump in the road

since transplant, but it probably isn't even related to transplant.

I wasn't on oxygen for the trip - my doctor was soooo sure I

wouldn't need it, even as a backup - and there are stairs in the

house. My sats were around 88-92 for the first 2 days, then I

seemed to adjust and stay around 94 all the time. But the last

2 days my sats started to fall again, and I was REALLY scared

when they dropped to 79 after taking a shower. I was panting,

and knew something was wrong. I called my doctor who said to

get to the ER for evaluation right away. I did and had an x-ray, a

CT with contrast, an EKG and an echocardiogram and found that

I have a blot clot on each lung. The clots aren't too big, but they

aren't too small either.

Bottom line: the hospital admitted me and I spent the next 4 days

in the big house. They put me on Coumadin and Lovenox (blood

thinners) and found that I also have a clot in my right leg.

Fortunately, it's in a superficial vein closer to the skin and less

likely to travel than one in a deeper vein. Hopefully the meds will

dissolve the clots within a couple of months. The good news is that

obviously this could all have been a lot worse, and I know I'm lucky

that I listened to my body and got to the hospital when I needed to.

AND, even though I was already set up to use oxygen when I got

home (and flew home with cylinders) - talk about a bummer after

my newfound liberation since April! - I didn't need oxygen once I

got back to our lower altitude. I'm cruising at 96-98 again, :-)

for which I'm truly grateful.

I'm just pissed off that I didn't know, nor did any of the medicos

I'm involved with tell me that high altitudes can cause blood clots.

At least that's what the docs there said. Word to the wise, clotting

is another reason to drink plenty of water at higher elevations.

When you're dehydrated, your blood tends to be thicker. I didn't

know that. I was practically desperate to get back to Colorado after

such a long absence, but not enough to risk blood clots on my

lungs - especially the new " baby " one. It has been 4 months since

transplant now.

I was supposed to go back to the ENT this week. My right ear

is filled with fluid, is very annoying and affects my hearing.

The doc was no doubt going to reinsert a tube in at least one

ear, but now we can't do that because of the Coumadin and

the bleeding it causes. bah. I've had to go to Dallas three times

since getting home, so I'm definitely back in the time-consuming

medical loop. My tremors are still terrible, but my anti-rejection

medicine (Prograf) and Prednisone (I'm down to 17.5 mg. daily)

were both just lowered, so maybe they'll get a tiny bit better. And

except for feeling tired overall, my strength is building back up.

I've rested a lot since coming home. But now I've got to get back

to rehab and the track. No rest for the weary, right? At least I lost

a few pounds on the trip - THAT's a first for me.

I've thought a lot about you all while I was away and send my

belated birthday hugs and wishes to Sher. I need to know what's

going on with Joyce. I hope Jane is doing well in the trial. I did

read a post from Vicky - our brave pink lady. May, thank you

so much for the touching note you sent me. Bruce, I'm getting

close to being able to meet for lunch again. Oh boy! Irene, what's

the status on your health now? and Zena, hope you are doing

well across the miles. Kerry and Tina, I pray for your phones to ring

soon. Jon, I'm really sorry to hear about your aplastic anemia and

that it rules you out for transplant...that's a tough break and I hate

it. Diane, congratulations on the new little bundle of joy. Babs, how

are you AND your daughter doing? Peggy, your sense of humor as

always is shining through. Bless you for that. Beth and Leanne,

I hope you are both as well as can be expected. , do you feel

settled into the new home by now? How's ? , enjoy

that perfect weather of yours for me, as everyone in Fort Worth is

wilting. Most people have simply given up on their flower beds and

pots. It's a ridiculous place for a sane person to live in the summer.

Steve, you have my heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your Vicky.

It's hard to believe that it happened so fast. May God shelter you

in his gentle embrace.

Hugs and blessings,

Gwynne 57 Single-lung transplanted for IPF on 4-3-08 at

UTHSC - San Fort Worth, TX

Peonies and poppies