On Tuesday of this week (1/14) Levi was scheduled to start cardio rehab. It turned out just to be an orientation of how it all works. They then made an appointment for him to go for an assessment on 2/4. He thinks he will not actually do anything that day other than the assessment.
But, no worries, he is walking 1.5 to 2 miles several times a week.
Yesterday (1/16) he had another heart cath and biopsy. We were at the hospital for 9 hours but everything looks great. They lowered a couple of medications and stopped another. The doctor said, "You know when we are lowering/stopping meds you're doing well."
Friday, January 17, 2020
Monday, December 30, 2019
Today was Levi's fourth post-transplant heart cath/biopsy/echo checkup. The doctor's are happy with how things are going.
Levi has noticed some skipped heartbeats over the past few days but the doctors didn't see anything today so he'll just keep noting when they happen. They adjusted his medications a little bit again today and reminded him that his immune system is very suppressed so he needs to be careful when around others. He always wears a mask and carries hand sanitizer with him.
The doctors also told us today that Levi's kidney is working very well. In fact, they said it has never tested so well as it is now.
Levi has noticed some skipped heartbeats over the past few days but the doctors didn't see anything today so he'll just keep noting when they happen. They adjusted his medications a little bit again today and reminded him that his immune system is very suppressed so he needs to be careful when around others. He always wears a mask and carries hand sanitizer with him.
The doctors also told us today that Levi's kidney is working very well. In fact, they said it has never tested so well as it is now.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Monday, December 16, 2019
1st Checkup Visit
Went to the hospital at stupid o'clock this morning for:
Heart cath & biopsy
Removal of staples & sutures
Echo of the heart
Chest x-ray
Medication adjustment
Levi gained 10 pounds of fluid in one week. The docs said part of the cause is that the heart is not working at full function yet, but is improving. A diuretic was prescribed to get rid of the fluid. They don't like to do that because it is hard on his kidney.
There is fluid in his lungs so not only does he need the diuretic but needs to continue breathing exercises to help the lungs re-inflate when the fluid drains.
When the nurse finished taking out all the staples in the picture below he was leaving and I said, "Levi, don't you have more staples?" The nurse said, "Oh yeah, I forgot how sick you were."
Heart cath & biopsy
Removal of staples & sutures
Echo of the heart
Chest x-ray
Medication adjustment
Levi gained 10 pounds of fluid in one week. The docs said part of the cause is that the heart is not working at full function yet, but is improving. A diuretic was prescribed to get rid of the fluid. They don't like to do that because it is hard on his kidney.
There is fluid in his lungs so not only does he need the diuretic but needs to continue breathing exercises to help the lungs re-inflate when the fluid drains.
When the nurse finished taking out all the staples in the picture below he was leaving and I said, "Levi, don't you have more staples?" The nurse said, "Oh yeah, I forgot how sick you were."
 |
| Removing staples |
 |
| Morning meds |
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Day 10 -- He's HOME!
The nurse told Levi this morning she was going to have him discharged by 1:00 today. Of course, that made time drag. Educators from dietary, pharmacy, rehab, social work, etc. all had to make an appearance. Stitches needed to be taken out. Paperwork had to be completed.
I was standing out in the hall while sutures were being removed and started listening to the heart failure team who were discussing Levi while they waited, too. I overheard one say, "I'd like to wait." Whoa!!
Me: "What do you mean "wait"?"
Doctor: "Until tomorrow." He went on to explain to me why he wanted to wait.
Me: "I understand. We want the best, too. But he is ready to go home so you can tell him, not me."
Doctor: "That's fine." Goes into the room.
5 minutes later, he comes back out.
Doctor: "I caved. I couldn't say no to those sad eyes."
So, HE'S HOME!!
He's very tired and hoping to get some good rest now.
Thank you, Everyone, for all the prayers!! Please, continue to pray for healing and strength.
I was standing out in the hall while sutures were being removed and started listening to the heart failure team who were discussing Levi while they waited, too. I overheard one say, "I'd like to wait." Whoa!!
Me: "What do you mean "wait"?"
Doctor: "Until tomorrow." He went on to explain to me why he wanted to wait.
Me: "I understand. We want the best, too. But he is ready to go home so you can tell him, not me."
Doctor: "That's fine." Goes into the room.
5 minutes later, he comes back out.
Doctor: "I caved. I couldn't say no to those sad eyes."
So, HE'S HOME!!
He's very tired and hoping to get some good rest now.
Thank you, Everyone, for all the prayers!! Please, continue to pray for healing and strength.
Day 9 (posting a day late, again)
Hey, Guys -- sorry I've been having trouble keeping up with these posts!
Day 9 (Monday): All of the tubes and lines were removed and Levi really thought he should be let go. He is extremely tired of the hospital and bored.
A friend of theirs brought a friend of hers who is in a quilting guild. There are about 50 women in this guild and they make quilts for foster kids, sick people, veterans, etc. They call them prayer quilts because as they tie them, they pray for the person it is for. They saved a few ties to do with us in the hospital -- it was such a sweet time. Below is his picture with the quilt and the "label" that was sewn into it.
Day 9 (Monday): All of the tubes and lines were removed and Levi really thought he should be let go. He is extremely tired of the hospital and bored.
A friend of theirs brought a friend of hers who is in a quilting guild. There are about 50 women in this guild and they make quilts for foster kids, sick people, veterans, etc. They call them prayer quilts because as they tie them, they pray for the person it is for. They saved a few ties to do with us in the hospital -- it was such a sweet time. Below is his picture with the quilt and the "label" that was sewn into it.
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Days 7 and 8
Day 7 (Saturday) was pretty quiet. Levi walked laps around the unit twice, had breathing treatments, blood sugar tests, blood pressure tests, etc. Other than that, he got some rest.
Day 8 (Sunday). They pulled the "baby" chest tube out today. They took an x-ray a few hours afterward to see what is happening around the right lung. No results yet. They are talking of sending him home tomorrow or Tuesday, depending on what the biopsy tomorrow shows.
Day 8 (Sunday). They pulled the "baby" chest tube out today. They took an x-ray a few hours afterward to see what is happening around the right lung. No results yet. They are talking of sending him home tomorrow or Tuesday, depending on what the biopsy tomorrow shows.
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