Pre-Transplant Day/Transplant Day

Pre-Transplant Day.

Monday August 26, 2024

As Fred finishes up his required sessions of Pulmonary Rehab, we are hoping he will be placed on the lung transplant list soon.

Background:

Our journey started April 15, 2024, when Fred was diagnosed with IPF or Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis. A pulmonary specialist advised that Fred be seen at Duke Hospital for possible lung transplant. His symptoms were getting worse, and he was having a hard time breathing with normal day to day activities.

We schedule the first available time with Duke Hospital and the Duke Lung Transplant Team. Our appointment was scheduled for Monday June 24th- Friday Jun 28th.  Fred had a total of 30 appointments scheduled with various Doctors and specialists.

The Doctors and specialists came to the conclusion that Fred was a good candidate for a lung transplant, except for one thing. He had to lose 20 pounds.

We left deflated with the news of not being placed on the list, but we were also determined to have Fred lose the weight. We were not going to let this set-back stop us.

It was then that I created a caloric deficit meal plan for Fred to help him lose the weight. He lost 25 pounds in 6 weeks. This was a high protein, low calorie diet.  I have been posting videos of some of the meals we have eaten. I have even decided that my goal is now to help others lose the weight they need with low calorie, high protein foods.

Follow my TikTok @sherrivtbchf to get some recipes.

Now fast forward to July 29th and we go back to Duke Hospital for follow up.

The Doctors have given Fred the pre-authorization to be placed on the lung transplant list. However, there are certain requirements that must be met.

Fred and his primary caregiver (I) and secondary caregiver (my sister) must attend 4 weeks of various zoom calls. The calls vary between where to go at Duke when called for transplant, what to expect during the surgery and after the surgery. Swallow exercises to help strengthen the throat. What medications will be needed after the transplant. What will the hospital stay consist of. It is a plethora of information.

Fred must complete 23 sessions of Pulmonary Rehab. This rehab will help strengthen his body so that he may recover faster after his surgery.

There are also more tests that need to be completed, CT scan, colonoscopy, blood labs.

As Fred was finishing up his last few days of Rehab, we had the goal of getting the lung transplant approved by insurance. That did take a few days, but it was approved.

So here we are on his second to last day of pulmonary rehab and we receive the call from our Treatment Coordinator that Fred is finally approved for the Lung Transplant.

We are ecstatic, over the moon happy for the wonderful news.

We know that the call to come in for the Lung transplant surgery can now come at any time as Fred has end stage IPF. It could be 12 hours, 2 days or many months before we receive the call. However, we know that the severity of Fred’s health will put him near the top of the transplant list. Once we receive the call, we must be a Duke Hospital within 2 hours.

So, we back our bags in anticipation of the call, not knowing when we will receive the call, but we are going to be prepared. Fred does not need much since he will be in a hospital gown for 21 days. But myself, I packed 2 extra changes of clothes, as I know I will be staying at Duke Hospital for at least 3 days or until he is stable enough that I feel that i can go home and grab a few more things.

We anxiously await the call.

Transplant Day.

Wednesday August 28th.

4:31am – we receive the call to go to Duke Hospital in preparation for the Lung Transplant.

We hop out of bed, put on clothes, and go out the door. I can’t remember if I brushed my hair, or my teeth. Pretty sure I brushed my teeth.

I drive us to Duke Hosptial, grateful for no traffic this time of the morning, trying to keep from going too much over the speed limit.

This is what we have been hoping and praying for. What we have been working towards with the tests, diet, pulmonary rehab. All of those things are what helped get us here where we are now on our way for the transplant.

We arrive at Duke at 5:31am and check into the Emergency room, as we were instructed to do. They take us right back to Surgical Admissions.

As Fred is being prepped for surgery, we talk about how grateful we are to be here, how grateful we are for the donor, and grateful that Fred now gets the chance to live a longer life.

Fred is place in his ever-flattering hospital gown and multiple IVs are placed.

And we wait….. and we wait.

You see this donor was able to save two lives. Both of the donors’ lungs were being placed in two different recipients. Each one receiving one lung.

Fred was the second surgery scheduled so he did have to wait until the first surgery was completed.

10:14am – Fred is taken back for this life saving surgery.

I am given updates by the surgery team.

10:15am – The patient is in the procedure room.

11:48am – The procedure has started.

2:14pm – The procedure continues.

3:36pm – The procedure continues.

4:10pm – Please proceed to the Surgery Check-In Desk and staff will show you to a Consult Room.

I meet with Dr. Patel in the Consult Room.

He explains that the surgery went well. The lung is a good match.

However, the lung is tired after being on ice for a while, therefore Fred must continue to stay on an Echo/Cardio machine until the lung can work for itself.

This machine is used during surgery as it helps the heart and or lung perform during surgery, so they are not strained.

Dr. Patel also explains there is some mild bleeding in the chest cavity and if it does not subside then he may have to go back in and fix it.

5;23PM – Fred is taken to ICU where he will stay for 7 days until stable enough to transfer to a step-down unit. I am advised I may see him in about 90 minutes.

7:00pm – I arrive in ICU. This will be Fred and my home for the next 7 days, barring no complications.

I find Fred sleeping comfortably as he is still sedated.

I of course talk to him and let him know I am there as I am certain he can hear me.

As I settle in for what will be a sleepless night, I am filled with joy.

Fred has been given the gift of life.

Stay tuned for more.

Sherri

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