tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54259633284865873152024-03-12T19:36:51.985-05:00My CF, Transplant and Nursing JourneyKateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.comBlogger482125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-68310814568262507182012-05-23T12:01:00.001-05:002012-05-23T12:01:10.923-05:00Graduation and Health UpdateI'm sure most of you thought I had abandoned my blog....I apologize. Unfortunately you are still stuck with me as I hope to be updating more often now that I have more time. The last 6 months or so has been very crazy with school and being sick. Since about October of 2011, my health was becoming increasingly worse, and it seemed like i was in the hospital every month, and if i wasn't, i was Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-15305072817439521282012-02-18T20:28:00.000-06:002012-02-18T20:28:19.031-06:00R.I.P. Brandi ThorpeAs most of you know via Facebook, Brandi Thorpe, author of: "Every Breath I Take" lost her life Wednesday, February 15, 2012. I just want to express how much she loved keeping up with all of your blogs and what was going on in your life. She greatly appreciated the support from all of you. This has been a very tough week for her friends and family. I ask you to continue to keep them in your Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-82773586490390500162011-11-22T23:08:00.000-06:002011-11-22T23:08:24.244-06:00Thanksgiving & UpdateIt is time for a long overdue update-i do apologize. But first, I want to wish everyone a very wonderful and Blessed Thanksgiving. Give Thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!!!! Remember who to thank-Our God, our one and only Savior. I am thankful for so many things, but most importantly, I am thankful for the Lord giving me a second chance at life, and the Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-1164777907332835392011-10-16T21:37:00.000-05:002011-10-16T21:37:11.854-05:00Photo for chronic rejectionI am starting another round of photophoresis tomorrow, October 17th for the progression of my chronic rejection. I've talked about what this is on my blog before and most of you know I have already completed 2 rounds (15 mths each round). My doctors are hoping that somehow this round will stabilize me some like the last rounds (the last rounds did not reverse or improve anything but apparently itKateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-90651887153965115052011-09-08T21:32:00.000-05:002011-09-08T21:32:13.729-05:00Questions for those @ Duke/updateI have a question for my fellow bloggers that go to Duke-that have been transplanted, currently thinking or evaluating for transplant there.
But first-quick update: I was discharged from the hospital Aug 15th-1 day before classes began. I spent 3 weeks in the hospital-the most I've ever spent since my transplant. I completed 7 days of thmyoglobulin. My low grade fevers ended up being due to Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-68294944706464041442011-08-11T15:58:00.000-05:002011-08-11T15:58:53.794-05:00HospitalI know I have been horrible with updating my blog...i just haven't had the time with nursing school. I hate that :(
Anyways, I have been in the hospital for about 19 days now. I have been treated for a respiratory infection and are now doing treatment for chronic rejection (again), which includes Thymoglobulin and photophoresis. It's definitely been a roller coaster ride this visit with Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-3360260825765701392011-05-23T02:17:00.000-05:002011-05-23T02:17:59.941-05:00Sorry-Here is an updateSorry for the long time lapse since last posting. It's been a little busy around here. I'll give more details and catch you up on what's going on throughout the week.
But just briefly: I finished IV abx April 15. Luckily, i have not had to go back on IVs since then. I am though currently taking oral Cipro antibiotic.
I finished up the spring semester with B's. I actually start summer semester Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-13840339241102141482011-04-13T21:31:00.001-05:002011-05-01T02:17:08.610-05:00NeverendingCrazy. I can't think of a better word to describe my life right now. Some of its a "good crazy" but not all of it.
To update: I had my bronch last Monday, the 4th. All went well. I did require more sedation than last time, but for some odd reason it didn't take me as long to sleep it off. Once I got home, I slept for about 4 hours. When I awoke, I was sort of in a panicky-agitated mode. I Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-28712501275293073812011-04-01T17:42:00.000-05:002011-04-01T17:42:41.963-05:00Bronch moved upMy bronch has been moved up to this coming Monday, the 4th. The doctor that is doing it was booked solid for the Monday we had planned on, and he didn't want to wait any longer, so it's scheduled for this Monday. BLAH! Now my studying stuff is going to be off. I have a Psych exam Monday from 8:00 to 9:00 am. So I'm going to go take my test (have my Mom drop me off), then leave as soon as I finishKateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-66918609165167486822011-03-30T22:17:00.000-05:002011-03-30T22:17:33.622-05:00CyclingIt seems like I've been on a cycle of being sick and not being sick since about October of last year....it's getting kind of annoying. And I Hope this is the last time I'm sick for a good long while.
I did 2 weeks of home IV antibiotics starting Feb 23rd...so ended these about 3 weeks ago. I also did steroids at that time, as well as went on supplemental oxygen at night and during the day if Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-16010260928157947482011-03-09T23:54:00.000-06:002011-03-09T23:54:54.698-06:00Recap: About Me-Part IV-Final PostPicking up from the previous post: About Me-Part III......here is Part IV-the final post.
It was Sunday night before the transplant. I was really sick, and didn't know much of what was going on around me. I remember my Dad and brother coming up to see me that night, but that was it. I don't remember anything from that point forward. Evidently, the decision was made to precede with the living Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-91576437355804254342011-03-04T14:03:00.002-06:002011-03-04T14:05:01.267-06:00Recap: About Me-Part IIIPicking off from: Recap About Me--Part II (Previous Post)
So right before I left the hospital, my CF doctor came to my room to talk to my Mother and me. I kind of had an idea of what it would be about, but didn't want to think about it. My doctor felt that I needed to be listed for a lung transplant; that there was no "bouncing back" from this and a transplant would be the only option Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-11772621856459927062011-02-27T12:00:00.000-06:002011-02-27T12:00:04.626-06:00Recap: About Me...Part IISo I'm picking up from where I left off. The decision was just made for me to be evaluated for a lung transplant at St. Louis Children's Hospital. I went through the evaluation process and ended up being a good candidate for lung transplantation. So I became listed in the spring of 1998 (7th grade). However, my health actually began to stabilize and hospital stays weren't quite as frequent.
Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-35447206567572953042011-02-26T11:03:00.000-06:002011-02-26T11:03:07.153-06:00Recap: About Me Part ISo since I just celebrated my transplant anniversary and have so many new followers....I thought I would post some of my first original posts about me (with a little editing).
So..here it goes: About Me Part I.
I was born in February of 1985. I have 1 brother, who is 2 years younger, who DOES NOT have CF. I have 2 wonderful and loving parents and a very supportive family.
I was diagnosed with Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-43168549036052970282011-02-25T06:00:00.003-06:002011-02-25T06:00:08.794-06:007 YEARS!!!!!Wow! On this day, February 25th, 7 years ago (2004), God gave me the most wonderful gift of all: a miracle; a second chance at life. WOW!!I can't believe it's been 7 years...time flies!!
A special thanks to my donors: my Mom and Jeff (family friend). I know some of you are new to my blog, so I've decided to re-post my "About Me"/Intro posts when i started my blog, that recaps my story. I have Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-50299373060358329962011-02-23T18:08:00.009-06:002011-02-23T18:25:39.005-06:00BOMBARDED!!!You think things are going well....but then they just go backwards. I have been having migraine headaches for about 8 days now (since last Monday evening). I had been unable to identify the underlying cause, and nothing was really relieving the pain. I'm not one to get headaches period, so to have migraines is a pretty big deal....especially when unresponsive to Advil, Tylenol, Excedrin Migraine,Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-48317422359744274702011-02-16T17:27:00.000-06:002011-02-16T17:27:17.088-06:00Wow!I can't believe it's mid-February, and I haven't posted since January. My apologies. I'm guessing most of you don't get your hopes up anymore for me to post. Nursing School has control of my life right now :)
But I wanted to write a quick update. Picking up from where I left off...being discharged from the hospital...everything is going well. No more stomach issues. Things seem to be back to Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-81999112956646064002011-01-24T22:04:00.000-06:002011-01-24T22:04:48.833-06:00HOME~I'm finally home after two grueling weeks in the hospital...this stay was extremely hard. My stomach is working normally now...but I am on a full-liquid diet for about 10 more days. I return to transplant clinic next Wednesday for follow-up.
I am attempting to attend a clinical orientation class tomorrow and hopefully class and an exam on Wednesday. I'm extremely weak, so not sure how much I Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-79612083523491401322011-01-20T18:35:00.000-06:002011-01-20T18:35:45.114-06:00HospitalI know this is way over do. I have been in the hospital pretty sick since last Monday-Jan. 10th. I developed a very very sudden and severe small bowel obstruction and have been fighting it since. I had an NG tube up until this past Tuesday. But after that, things turned the wrong way again, and another tube was put back in. The tube came out again this afternnon, so I'm hoping it can stay out. WeKateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-24040940775459935252011-01-03T01:15:00.000-06:002011-01-03T01:15:00.958-06:00Happy New Year/Back to SchoolHAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!! I Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I know this year is going to be awesome...and I can't wait to see what is in store for 2011!!
I start back classes tomorrow-Tuesday...wow...time flies by! I'll do my best to keep up with blogging. Hopefully it won't be as busy or stressful as last semester :)
I started getting sick again at the middle of last week. SoKateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-77727678332906939762010-12-25T21:09:00.000-06:002010-12-25T21:09:40.601-06:00MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!Merry Christmas! I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas today and throughout the holidays. I am so blessed to be able to celebrate another Christmas with my friends and family. And I'm so thankful to Jesus, for his birth, and for his Crucifixion and Resurrection!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!
Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-57475613700965241142010-12-21T21:27:00.000-06:002010-12-21T21:27:00.937-06:00Question for my readers-EnzymesI have a question for those of you who follow my blog! As some of you know, Ultrase Digestive Enzymes are not being manufactured anymore and most pharmacy's are out of stock. I had a couple of extra months, but I'm on my last bottle. For those of you that have taken Ultrase MT, what have you switched to? Or have you switched yet? or what are your thoughts? I have been on Ultrase my entire life Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-14314069614500074162010-12-21T21:20:00.000-06:002010-12-21T21:20:27.523-06:00Christmas VacationI can't believe I've already been off from school for 2 weeks. I only have 2 more weeks to go...yikes. Somewhere in the amidst of chaos, I agreed to work last week and this week. Same place I've worked the last 3 Fall semesters. They needed help....i love the place, people, and i could use a little extra $$. So today was my last day. I plan on sleeping a LOT, and resting as much as possible the Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-15591282740531335032010-12-10T20:38:00.007-06:002010-12-10T20:47:06.898-06:00IV Abx/Semester overAs I mentioned in the post before last, I haven't been feeling so well. The Cipro did get me through last weekend and the last few days of school this week. I called my transplant coordinator to get the final results of my sputum culture. Unfortunately, it grew moderate amount of pseudomonas. So this is definitely why I wasn't feeling good. I always have pseuodomona in my sinuses, but we try to Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425963328486587315.post-50126467579013054042010-12-05T21:05:00.014-06:002010-12-05T21:19:33.571-06:00Music Monday-George StraitSo I'm hoping to get back to my usual Music Monday posts!! This week's song is by George Strait: The Breath You Take. I thought it was a great song and I love country music...and plus it goes along perfect with CF and lung transplants!Enjoy! I'm sure many of you have heard this song already! Remember that life is not about the breaths you take, but about the moments that take your breath away. I Kateyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11628086713110351792noreply@blogger.com1