Nothing I can't handle! Biopsy Number 4

Well it's seems that I'm going to be stubborn about rejection. I was told that I could be difficult because I'm young and I had an LVAD. My biopsy results showed Class 2 rejection this week. No hospital visits this time, however they have me taking an extra large dose of Prednisone for 3 days. My dosage is at 20mg per day and now they have me taking 50mg, on top of the 20mg, each day for 3 days. That's the only change for now. Hopefully the Prednisone won't get me too edgy, anxious and irritable. Minor detail.

I did an interview yesterday for The Waterloo Record and the reporter said that sitting with me is "like sitting in a room with a hummingbird." That's how I feel sometimes. The sensations in my body have changed since transplant and I'm re-learning how to read my body. Sometimes I wonder if the LVAD was more peaceful...

I want to stop for a minute and say something about all of these medications. Bottom line, my heart would be no good without them. All of us transplant recipients complain about the meds and their side effects but we all appreciate them. The chemists, doctors, researchers and everyone involved in their creation and growth should be commended for their work. Keep up the good work!

Biopsy Number 3

Well I had my third biopsy yesterday. It was a crazy long day. My Dad was my butler/driver. Thanks Dad! I had the biopsy done at 7:15 am, clinic at 10am and then down to echo for 1pm. The team from Global went in for my clinic appointment with Dr. Ross. She spent some time with me addressing my questions and concerns. She is very comforting and made me feel much better about everything.

I snapped a photo of my biopsy. You can see the tiny red dots at the bottom of the bottle.

"I want you to come on, come on, come on and take it,
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby, (break a...)
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah. (come on)
Hey! Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, yeah.
You know you got it if it makes you feel good,
Oh yes indeed."



I'm really happy because the nurse called today to tell me that I have NO REJECTION!!! YAY!!!! The best part is that I don't need to spend the weekend getting more needles and drugs. The transplant team also decided to slightly reduce my Prograf, an anti-rejection med. Hopefully this reduction will help with the tremors I've been experiencing. All is well.

Biopsy and Meds

As Shannon said earlier this week, I had my first biopsy on Wednesday December 29th. It's the first of a strict routine. I will be going for a biopsy every week for a month and then every two weeks for a while and gradually less regularly as time passes.

I got the results from the biopsy and there is no rejection at this time. They told me the white blood cells are passing through but not attacking my heart. My Prednisone has been lowered already. While this is a good start, I do expect rejection at some point but it does not worry me. My transplant team is monitouring me very closely. I've got a great team!

As for the meds I take, I'm sure many of you are interested. Right now I take 30 pills a day of about 12 different types. Three of those types are anti-rejection meds, Prednisone, Celcept and Prograf. Very powerful stuff. Other meds are to prevent infections such as CMV and PCP Pneumonia. Most of the other meds are supplements to help prevent the major side effects of the anti-rejection meds. One major side effect for women is Osteoporosis so I take lots of calcium and vitamin D. Another side effect is high cholesterol so I take one med to help control my cholesterol. Here's a pic of my daily med container.