July 1, 2016
DAY 21 after surgery --Thursday p.m....Three weeks ago today!...Steve continues his daily rehab, now walking a little faster 30 minutes on the treadmill. Had his first Pulmonary Function Test, which was up to 64%--a great improvement over his pre-transplant reading!..and will continue to improve as he heals and gains strength. Also saw the doctor this week-- doc said looking good, and removed his sutures from the drainage tube incisions...which meant he got to take his first real shower since surgery!--another step forward.
The back pain is subsiding a bit, and he's able to lift his arms a little farther now, which allowed us to get him into a tshirt with sleeves. :)
We also enjoyed a short walk at a nearby park yesterday....the first of more to come!
June 24, 2016
DAY 14 after surgery--Thursday p.m....Two weeks ago today!---Steve got the call and had his double-lung transplant surgery!♡ ...and is now 3 days into his outpatient recovery and rehab---continuing to walk 30 minutes on the treadmill daily, works his leg muscles with weights, and is beginning to do arm exercises to regain strength in the muscles in his back---his main complaints have been backache, tiredness, and soreness in the area under his arms (no doubt, considering his incision goes from armpit to armpit--which to look at makes me a little queasy right now :`{ ). He's loving the freedom he's now again able to enjoy---walking without getting short of breath, and not being dependent on supplemental oxygen 24/7. :) We've been to Target twice together to get needed supplies and groceries....and he hasn't been able to do that at all since last December---small victories moving him closer to the normal life he once knew. ♡♡ =)
June 21, 2016
DAY 11 after surgery--Monday p.m....Today was discharge day!! Hooray! .. It was a very busy morning, with the various medical staff in and out of his room preparing him and us for his new follow-up/recovery routine as a transplant outpatient.♡ We took more pictures that I have added.. and said our good-byes/ thank-yous to the nurses we got to know and love that took such great care of him! We have settled in to our temporary home in St. Louis. ...a little furnished one-bedroom duplex just 3 miles from the hospital, which will be really convenient as we make daily weekday trips to Barnes for his pulmonary rehab and various follow-up appointments. We sat down and organized his pills for the week---10 different prescriptions he left with, most of which he will be taking for the rest of his life! But SO worth it....he's a new man--and very grateful, living with the gift of healthy lungs and looking forward to getting back to a normal, active life! ♡♡
June 20, 2016
DAY 9 + 10 after surgery--Saturday + Sunday....After finally getting the central line port pulled from his neck(ouch!) Steve feels even better.. and is looking forward to sleeping on his side again. He continues to take 1,000 foot walks in his purple grippy footies and hospital gown like he's ready to take on the world with his new lease on life--thanks to his wonderful new lungs! :)
We enjoyed having more visitors as well.....Saturday morning he had an entertaining visit from his buddy, Rickey, who rode out from KC on his Harley.....and later in the day we got to catch up with friends Doug (one of his best friends from work) and Melissa who drove in to see him! They stayed a few hours Saturday. .and came back Sunday morning, just in time to take his 1,000 foot walk with him! ...which was great because Sunday was a busy travel day for me -- I was away from the hospital all day, so Steve was 'alone' all day...I think he did okay. :) had to drive back to Independence to load up everything we need to live here in St. Louis for 3 months...that was a long day chore---I left SL at 7 a.m., got back in town at 10:30 p.m. to unload where we will be living...and I was back at the hospital a little after midnight. Needless to say, I was and still am exhausted....but it had to be done---he may be discharged today! ♡♡
June 18, 2016
DAY 8 after surgery--Friday p.m....This morning, one of the respiratory therapists from Pulmonary Rehab brought a treadmill to Steve's room---he walked 30 minutes with no supplemental oxygen at .5 mph....she was impressed! Later in the day, he also walked 1,000 feet with a physical therapist--no oxygen or walker...what a rock star! :) We also enjoyed a visit from Steve's dad....he hung out with us and also listened in during our pre-discharge education class to explain Steve's prescription drug regimen, as well as what to expect after he leaves the hospital when weekdays for the next 11 weeks or so will be busy with pulmonary rehab daily, lab work, clinic appointments and xrays. ...and the do's and don'ts to remember in his new life as a transplant recipient. So very much to process and absorb!
The transplant doctor said discharge day will be either Monday or Tuesday....we look forward to that and the next chapter in his journey!
To all our friends and family that have been following Steve's post-transplant recovery these past 8 days---we want to say thanks so much for your genuine interest, concern and prayers for him and his progress! If you are so inclined, please sign Steve's guest book here on his webpage...your comments and words of encouragement mean so much to him! ♡♡
June 16, 2016
DAY 7 after surgery--Thursday p.m....Well one week ago today was a day we will remember forever---Steve had his transplant surgery and was given the gift of a second chance at life! And what a miraculous 7 day process this has been...he has progressed wonderfully. Because his oxygen levels have been so steadily good, they took him off of supplemental oxygen completely this morning--a very proud moment! Today also brought the removal of his 2 remaining drainage tubes from his chest, which he was so thrilled to be rid of---the removal process consisted of Steve being told to take a deep breath and hold, while the nurse practitioner gave the tube a swift yank. (Of course I could not watch) ...and he said fortunately the first one she pulled from the right side didn't hurt much, but then the second one she pulled on the left side 'hurt like hell' :/...but it's a step in the right direction! He also got his epidural taken out (didn't hurt at all he says).. so he's to really pay more close attention to his pain now so they can medicate accordingly.
He also progressed on his daily walk (still with a walker)....1,000 feet today!!..and with minimal oxygen supplementation. Tomorrow he will walk with no oxygen supplementation...and probably add the treadmill on Monday. Wow...it's so exciting to see him feeling better each and every day...I'm so happy and so proud of him and how focused and enthusiastic he is about his recovery! He is most definitely 'a new man'! :)♡♡
June 16, 2016
DAY 6 after surgery --Wednesday p.m....Another low key day at the hospital ...Steve continues improving---oxygen levels, blood pressure and heart rate...are all good---he walked 600 feet with the physical therapist this morning, and at that rate it won't be long before he's walking that 1,000 feet! The doctor said the drainage tubes may be able to come out tomorrow--something he is looking forward to, for sure. His sister, Cathy, drove out to see him today and we had a really nice visit. :) It will be one week ago on Thursday that Steve got his gift of life...what a blessing!
Added a couple more pictures to check out....
June 15, 2016
DAY 5 after surgery --Tuesday p.m....Steve is still progressing nicely...kind of an uneventful day....did his daily walk with the physical therapist (using a walker)--he walked 380 feet and is working his way toward the goal of walking 1,000 feet ...where he will then advance to the treadmill. All part of the objectives he must meet before being deemed ready for discharge. He really kind of enjoys his walks, knowing they are a very important part of his progress.
The doctor also said he should be able to have one of the two remaining draining tubes removed tomorrow --- not a fun process, but definitely a step forward!
After helping with his sponge bath, and watching the nurse change the dressing on his bandages (see pic)......another night ahead, sleeping in the hospital recliner next to Steve's bed....he needs me here just as much I want to be here for him. ♡♡ We shall see what tomorrow brings....
June 13, 2016
DAY 4 after surgery --Monday--12:45 p.m....Update to my update! Steve only spent one night in the step-down/observation unit! He was just moved down the hall to a private room....yay! We lost the view , but it is definitely quieter here....and 2 tvs ;). They have him sitting up in the chair for awhile...and he got to eat tomato soup and pudding for lunch.....More pictures :)
June 13, 2016
DAY 4 after surgery--Monday morning. ..Steve was moved from the ICU Sunday afternoon.. To the step-down unit which is a large room with about 8 beds separated by curtains. His bed is in a great spot in the corner by the windows with a nice view...I've added some pictures! And he finally got to eat some Jell-O and some broth so that made him (and me) happy! Plus I brought his hat in from the car so he can wear it ...so he feels more like himself now :). Visiting hour rules are different in this section so I could not stay by his side all night.. Which was probably a blessing in disguise because I was in great need of having a good night's sleep in an actual bed.
...So that felt pretty good! I will be heading back to the hospital soon.
Steve actually just told me that his doctor came in this morning and said he's doing so well that he may be moved to a private room later today!
Update coming on that note as soon as we have more details....
June 12, 2016
DAY 3 after surgery --10 a.m. Sunday...Today should be a much better day than yesterday! Steve had a much more restful night...his pain is better managed now with the help of the epidural...the tube through the nose has done its job, so the doctors said it could be removed :)--he's happy about that!...heart rate and blood pressure now in acceptable ranges, but still being monitored and medicated...he will soon take his second walk with the physical therapist and if all goes well, as they think it should, he will be moved from ICU to the step-down unit for less extensive but still continuous monitoring for a few more days, before he will be ready for a private room. He is progressing nicely and staying strong--quite the trooper...doing his breathing exercises that help him to expand his lungs, and clear the airways by encouraging a good productive cough.
Check out a few new pictures. ..and...
More to come when I know more about the next leg of his journey...:). ♡♡
June 12, 2016
DAY 2 after surgery --8:30 p.m....Well Things didn't go quite as planned today... during Steve's assisted walk, which he did very well, his heart rate rose to 206 and his blood pressure dropped... a condition they called Atrial Fibrillation, which they also assured us was very common in transplant patients, caused by the heart getting 'irritable' after having to be moved during the transplant surgery. To get the heart back to its more normal rhythm the doctor did a procedure called Electrical Cardioversion, after again sedating Steve....and medicating for the low blood pressure....he also got an epidural to help manage his pain. So from the tube thru his nose this morning, multiple xrays, the walk, to the heart issues...the doctors decided it best that he remain in ICU tonight.
Hopefully he will rest well tonight (and hopefully so will I)...and tomorrow will be a better day. ♡♡
~~again a few more pictures added
June 11, 2016
DAY 2 after surgery--10:30 a.m. Saturday....Today will bring Steve's first assisted walk down the hall and a move out of ICU to what they call the 'step down unit'...this is good, it should be quieter yet he will still have two nurses attending to him. One little bump, however, is they've determined he still has an air bubble in his tummy that hasn't made its way out yet after waking from the anesthesia....so...still no food, very little water, and they put a tube thru his nose to his stomach to suction the air out...this process they say takes usually a couple days--which means he still waits to be able to eat. :/ But he will feel better after the process is complete. I've added a few more pics.
And to my friends who keep asking about how I'm doing...I so appreciate your concern for me :) ...I will say that much to my disappointment, the recliner chair was not comfortable but I managed to get 4-5 interrupted hours of sleep, I think. I did take time to get a shower last night here at the hospital, which felt great. Sometime today I will check in to the short-term stay duplex I'll call home at least while he is in the hospital.
More soon.....
June 10, 2016
DAY 1...6 p.m....What an amazing day! Steve awoke and first opened his eyes around noon...got his breathing tube removed around 12:30 and was able to start slowly talking to me! He wanted to know all the details about his surgery and how it went...he was as surprised as I was that it only took 3-1/2 hours. He was extremely thirsty but was told he'd have to wait an hour to begin getting ice chips....when the time came I don't think anything could've tasted any better to him! :)
Soon he was able to get sips of water...but unfortunately, as starving as he's also feeling...he heard he'd have to wait until tomorrow for any food.
He complains of being hot...caused by some of the pain meds we are told, but for the most part he's doing very well! He's very anxious to move forward...to which I keep reminding him.....baby steps and one day at a time. I do know that the staff here at Barnes is nothing short of exceptional! He is in great hands here. :) I've added a few more pictures. ...
I have also learned that trying to get a decent night's sleep in a waiting room is next to impossible. Tonight...I'm sleeping in the recliner in his ICU room! More tomorrow....♡
June 10, 2016
Friday..10 a.m...Day 1 after surgery...Steve is still sleeping in ICU...soon they will do a bronchoscopy to look at his airway and see how the lungs are doing....The first step toward removing the breathing tube so he can take his first breaths with his new lungs! I'm hoping to be there to capture the moment...this is so incredible. I've added a few more photos today.
It is with a heavy but very grateful heart that we send thoughts, prayers and thanks to the donor family. ♡♡
June 10, 2016
SUCCESSFUL SURGERY! !
Well that part is over...it went very well! Hallelujah!...and only 3-1/2 hours in surgery! It's 10 p.m. and I'm beside him now in ICU as he rests...he will be awake tomorrow morning and I'll share more updates and pictures then. I need to get some rest tonight too.:)
June 9, 2016
Steve's surgery is underway! ...They told us the surgery could take 6-12 hours....it will be a long night. I've taken plenty of pictures to document his journey....check the photo album. More updates when I know something! Continued prayers are always appreciated! ♡
June 9, 2016
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!
Steve got 'the call' we've been praying for at 8 a.m. this morning...his gift of life...matched lungs avaliable for him!! We are driving to St Louis right now...surgery sometime this afternoon! What a relief for him..and us. ..to have him finally have something to get excited about...to be able to breathe again and get back to living life again! He is so calm and ready as he drives us to Barnes-Jewish Hospital...I'm the one with the nervous anxious feeling.
Thanks so much to everyone that has been praying for him...God does answer! Less than two weeks on the waiting list...what a blessing!
I will continue to post updates and pictures on his progress.....Keep him in your thoughts and prayers!♡
~Geri
May 27, 2016
Great news update on Steve!
We were at Barnes-Jewish Hospital this past Monday and Tuesday for Steve's follow up appointments...He got the good news that the transplant team was ready to list him but we were told it would be 5 to 10 business days while waiting for the insurance company's final approval. Well Steve got a surprise phone call today from the insurance company telling him he was approved! He will go active on the waiting list tomorrow! According to what his pulmonologist told him the maximum wait for his new lungs should be about 12 weeks....So it's time to get our bag packed and stay glued to our phones. It's so hard to know how to be ready for something that has no scheduled date. It's exciting and scary at the same time, knowing that I have to quit my job to be Steve's full support person and caregiver for at least three months after his surgery.. but I wouldn't have it any other way.
We still have more questions than answers at this point in time, and a tough road ahead...but we have faith that the support of our loving and giving friends and family will help to ease the financial burden so that we can concentrate on getting Steve healthy again! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for caring enough to help! Words can't tell you how much we appreciate it. ♡
~Geri
May 7, 2016
Steve necesita un trasplante Double-Lung!
Steve Mowrey es sólo 53 años y luchando por su vida. Hace tres años, él fue diagnosticado con una forma progresiva de la fibrosis pulmonar, una condición que causa cicatrización en los pulmones y por lo general se desarrolla sin una causa identificable. Los síntomas incluyen dificultad para respirar, tos y muchos pacientes a menudo necesitan un trasplante de pulmón a lo largo del tiempo. Condición de Steve ha progresado a lo largo de los años y ahora él utiliza todo el día oxígeno para respirar y su neumólogo ha indicado que necesita desesperadamente un trasplante de pulmón salvavidas para sobrevivir. Steve ha encontrado su calidad de vida es completamente tomados como rehenes por la progresiva y potencialmente mortal de la naturaleza de su enfermedad pulmonar. Siendo un no-fumador y diagnostica totalmente desprevenido, Steve está frustrado pero ansiosamente esperando a sus nuevos pulmones para que pueda disfrutar una vez más de su vida!
Steve tiene una increíble determinación y sentido de optimismo, y pese a necesitar alrededor el reloj oxígeno suplementario y enfrentando fatiga severa, continúa trabajando en su trabajo mientras se espera un trasplante de pulmón. Después de haber sido sometidos a extensas pruebas y evaluación médica para ser aceptado como un candidato a trasplante en el Barnes Hospital Judío, Steve y su novia esperanza para su futuro. Él no quiere nada menos que para recuperar a los aventureros y amantes de la diversión. la vida que él ha conocido; asistir a las carreras de NASCAR, Royals juegos, disfrutar de conciertos de música country, viajes por carretera en su Harley Davidson, y pasar tiempo con su niño de once años de edad, hijo.
Un trasplante de pulmón es salvar vidas, pero a menudo viene con un precio abultado creando una muy pesada carga financiera. Incluso con el seguro de salud, de Steve rostros muy elevados gastos de bolsillo que incluyen copagos y deducibles, lab honorarios, viajes y hospedaje, costosos gastos de traslado para al menos tres meses para estar más cerca de Barnes Hospital. Steve también enfrentan altos deducibles de seguros, cuidador honorarios, post-trasplante y costosos medicamentos para detener el rechazo que se necesitan para el resto de su vida.
Para ayudar con la carga financiera de los gastos no asegurados de Steve, una campaña de recaudación de fondos en su honor ha sido establecido con HelpHOPELive confianza, una organización sin fines de lucro que ha estado proporcionando orientación recaudación de fondos comunitarios para los pacientes y sus familias durante más de 30 años. Todas las donaciones son deducibles de impuestos, están ocupados por HelpHOPELive en el Medio Oeste/oeste Fondo de trasplante de pulmón, y son administrados por HelpHOPELive para gastos relacionados con el trasplante. Por favor, considere la posibilidad de una contribución.
si todos trabajamos juntos podemos hacer Steve's las perspectivas para el futuro mucho más brillante. Por favor, sé que vuestra contribución recuentos. Gracias de antemano por sus oraciones, ayuda y generosidad.
Con sincera gratitud,
Geri Wood, Steve's [email protected] longtime novia,
May 5, 2016
Steve cần ghép đôi-Lung! Steve Mowrey là chỉ 53 tuổi và chiến đấu cho cuộc sống của mình. Ba năm trước đây, Steve được chẩn đoán với một hình thức tiến bộ của xơ hóa phổi, một điều kiện gây ra sẹo trong phổi và thường phát triển mà không có một nguyên nhân nhận dạng. Triệu chứng bao gồm khó thở, ho và nhiều bệnh nhân thường cần một phổi ghép theo thời gian. Điều kiện của Steve đã tiến triển trong những năm qua...ông bây giờ sử dụng nhờ oxy để thở và nhà của ông đã chỉ ra rằng ông tuyệt vọng cần một cấy ghép cứu phổi để tồn tại. Steve đã tìm thấy ông làm con tin chất lượng cuộc sống hoàn toàn thực hiện tiến bộ và đe dọa cuộc sống bản chất của tình trạng phổi của mình. Là Phòng Không hút thuốc và chẩn đoán hoàn toàn off guard, Steve là thất vọng nhưng lo âu mong mình phổi mới do đó, ông một lần nữa có thể tận hưởng cuộc sống của mình! Steve có một cảm giác lạ thường của quyết tâm và sự lạc quan, và mặc dù cần nhờ bổ sung ôxy và đối mặt với sự mệt mỏi trầm trọng, ông tiếp tục làm việc tại công việc của mình trong khi chờ đợi một ghép phổi. Sau khi trải qua kiểm tra y tế sâu rộng và đánh giá để được chấp nhận như là một ứng cử viên ghép tại bệnh viện Do Thái Barnes, Steve và bạn gái của mình là hy vọng cho tương lai của mình. Ông muốn gì ít hơn để lấy lại sự phiêu lưu, vui vẻ, yêu thương cuộc đời ông đã biết đến; tham dự cuộc đua NASCAR, Royals trò chơi, thưởng thức buổi hòa nhạc quốc gia âm nhạc, chuyến đi đường trên Harley Davidson, và dành thời gian với mười một tuổi, con trai của mình.
Một cấy ghép phổi là cứu, nhưng thường đi kèm với một thẻ giá nhượng, tạo ra một gánh nặng tài chính rất nặng. Ngay cả với bảo hiểm y tế, Steve khuôn mặt rất cao chi phí out-of-pocket bao gồm đồng pays và khấu trừ, phí phòng thí nghiệm, du lịch và nhà nghỉ, và tái định cư tốn kém chi phí ít nhất 3 tháng để gần gũi hơn với bệnh viện Barnes. Steve cũng sẽ phải đối mặt tiền khấu trừ bảo hiểm cao, chi phí chăm sóc, và tốn kém sau ghép thuốc để ngăn chặn từ chối là cần thiết cho phần còn lại của cuộc sống của mình.
Để giúp với gánh nặng tài chính chi phí bảo hiểm của Steve, một chiến dịch gây quỹ để vinh danh ông đã được thành lập với HelpHOPELive, một tổ chức phi lợi nhuận đáng tin cậy đã cung cấp hướng dẫn dựa trên cộng đồng gây quỹ cho bệnh nhân và gia đình của họ trong hơn 30 năm. Mọi đóng góp là khấu trừ thuế, được tổ chức bởi HelpHOPELive ở Midwest/Tây phổi ghép quỹ và được quản lý bởi HelpHOPELive cho các khoản chi phí liên quan đến cấy chỉ. Hãy xem xét việc đóng góp. Để đóng góp thẻ tín dụng, xin vui lòng gọi 800.642.8399.
Cảm ơn bạn trước cho lời cầu nguyện, hỗ
trợ và lòng hảo tâm của bạn. Với lòng biết ơn chân thành, Geri Wood, bạn gái lâu năm của Steve, [email protected]
