Little Update

Sorry I haven't written for a while I have been in ICU and didn't want to keep anything with me.  So here is a bit of an update:

I was moved from ICU to the regular floor yesterday and I am so grateful to me in a "normal" room again. They took one chest tube out today and it hurt like crazy because I didn't have the epidural like I did last time. So that means I am down to one chest tube because they took two out a few days ago.

like my crazy hair?

As for when I might go home, it is possibly next Thursday or Friday after a bronc on Wednesday. YAY!! I think it's time to go home, don't you? I have been here since December 8th.

Oh What A Night

So something scary happened yesterday; I can't write it as the person who went through it, so let me share as if I were an on looker.

Bree was exercising with a new physical therapist and was finishing up with a brisk walk. She started getting tired and frustrated because she was having trouble catching her breathe. The physical therapist took her back to her room and tried to calm her down. She was getting hot and claustrophobic trying to catch her breathe, we quickly tried to give her some oxygen and called for the doctor because something was wrong. Nurses and doctors rushed in to help her, they gave her more oxygen, checked her chest tubes for kinks, did an ABG (air blood gas blood draw), took an x-ray, and gave her a breathing treatment. They slowly waited to see if her oxygen level would go up, and ever so slowly it did. They rushed her to the ICU once she was able to sit on the bed. She slowly has been recovering in the ICU.

So that's what happened; I am doing better now though. The doctors think that I may have had a blood clot in my lungs, but they couldn't give us a 100%, this is why this happened, answer.

Christmas was thus spent in ICU. My sister and her boyfriend came by my room this morning so we could wish each other a Merry Christmas. He and his family have been a great support for her and my family.

My parents have been going back and forth from each room to spend some time with each of us.

So that's what happened yesterday, and a little bit about how we spent today.

OH, MY SISTER GETS TO GO HOME TODAY!!

Back in Action (long post)

Hello Everybody,

I'mmmmmmmm baaaaaaaack! My brain is not all there yet, but let's see what I can remember from the morning of the surgery up until today.

THE MORNING OF SURGERY...
     I remember being anxious and wanting to get the surgery over with... They wheeled me into the elevator and down to the fourth floor, where their were tons of people who all had scrubs on... They wheeled me past these two big screen TVs that I think had the day's surgeries on them, that was neat to see... They wheeled me through a messy (clean, but cluttered) hall... Once they got me into the OR I heard clinching and clattering from all of their fine silverware (and not the kind you would use at Christmas dinner)... I saw all of the crazy machines that would connected to my body during surgery...They moved me from hospital bed to the operating table... Then they asked me if I would like some medication to relax me and then......

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, OR SUNDAY...
     I remember them asking me about the breathing tube and if I thought I could breath on my own and if I wanted it out... I think I asked them something about how I can help myself breath on my own... I remember how difficult it was to communicate with people to get what I needed.

...For instance I got very hot once and I think I was signing (using American Sign Language) to tell the nurses and my mom what I needed. I used ASL quite a bit and thought people should be able to understand me, because this is a language everyone should know (at least everyone in a hospital where it might be difficult to talk).

...I remember being in ICU and them taking out an IV like line out of my groin and my neck. I think the tape has been the worst of all the pain. If someone could please develop a tape with an on and off switch I would be very grateful.

...I remember at times getting really hot and wanting the sheets off of me and not being able to do it myself. It is so frustrating trying to get the nurse to come in to take the sheets off, especially when I would get really hot and they would take their sweet time coming in, not knowing I was getting so frustrated and uncomfortable being so hot.

...I remember playing tick-tack-toe with my Mom and her letting me win, thinking that was helpful. It only made me frustrated that she thought I couldn't beat her on drugs.

...I remember several people visiting me in the ICU (I won't name names, so incase I leave anyone out I don't hurt anyone's feelings). I wasn't fully there, so what ever was said kinda just went through one ear and out the other anyway (Sorry everybody who visited me).

RIGHT NOW
     I am still kinda not all here, it comes and goes. As I write this I have to go over things several times before they make some sense.

Please Keep my sister, Amber, and me in your prayers. We are both having some issues using the restroom (I know that's some information I probably wouldn't give out if I wasn't on drugs, but I really want my stomach to be okay, therefore I need prayer).

And I want to THANK GOD for all He has done for my family. Getting my sister out of ICU and sending my Dad home today. Thank you Lord for keeping us in the palm of your hand and being by our sides through all of this.

this is a picture of me today (I am still on oxygen because they want to help me out just a little)

EVERYTHING IS LOOKING UP

Good afternoon, this is Bree's mom updating for her once again. All is going well:) Thursday after transplant Bree spent her evening resting in ICU. She was already following commands from nurses like 'squeeze my finger' and was opening her eyes a bit. Her sister Amber spent her time in ICU dealing with alot of pain until Friday night and is now in a regular room next to Mike her father. Mike went straight from recovery Thursday into a room on the floor and was also dealing with pain. Thank goodness for pain meds, it's funny how the 3 of them are a bit loopy. Yesterday, Friday, Bree was breathing on her own so they took the tube out of her throat, she is using those new lungs now that cannot be affected by CF, how amazing is that. Mike started walking the floor on Friday evening. Amber started walking today. And, a few hours ago they sat Bree up in a chair in ICU, she is doing great. I just want to say, 'A BIG shoutout to our heavenly Father, Thank-you for the opportunity for Bree and a new life.'

Yea, Good News :D

Hi:)   This is Bree's mom, how do you do? Wonderful news.....The doctors spoke to us and said all went well. Mike and Amber's lobes were the size of a palm, when they were placed in Bree's chest cavity they expanded to her chest size when Bree's blood flowed through them. Bree's doctor said she looks great, and everything else looked good.  She is now going to ICU to recovery for 2 days, can't wait to see her. Daddy Mike moaned a bit after surgery, Amber is now in some pain.....They are taking good care of all 3 of them. Thank-you Lord for your hand in today. Thank-u family and friends for your support today and everyday. Thank-u Hubby Mike and Daughter Amber for giving our daughter, your sister, another chance at life to follow her dreams and make a difference.

Just For Laughs...

...and because I am board and have so much joy and energy...ENJOY (laughing at me)

sorry it didn't have sound...now it should have sound

Mr. Snow and Dasher Part 1

A Day of Lasts

Today all I can think of is, "today is a day of lasts with CF lungs" (does that make sense). I am trying not to get to "excited" (I guess would be the word), because the transplant team always meets on Wednesday afternoon and you never know if something might come up.

Please keep my family in your prayers. I know God has already been answering our prayers because I have had more peace over the past couple of days.

Thank you all for all of your support and prayers.

Old Stuff

I just found these three entries I had written on Facebook, before I started this blog; I thought I would share them with you.


November 11, 2009

Today is the first day that I am on the lung transplant list. I knew this day would one day come, that's a lie. I always thought that I would just manage my heath and remain pretty healthy, or I thought God would heal me through his miraculous hand. But, God has brought a revelation to me that he can heal through transplant, and give me a miraculous recovery. If more people can come to know Christ through me going through a lung transplant than that is better than me living a somewhat healthy life and those people not coming to know God. God's sees the bigger picture, I know he knows what is best for me. Over this past year and a half he has shown me that his timing is perfect. I know God will be with me every step of the way. I am ready for this journey, let's go for it God.

November 15, 2009

It's so amazing how you can get paranoid over always being near a phone in case you get that call saying, "we have a lung for you."
I can't count how many hours I have been thinking "when will the phone call come in" and "what do I do when I get the call." Because there are certain things that I usually take to the hospital I worry that I will forget to bring something. I should pack a bag just in case, but some of the stuff I take to the hospital I use here at home and II don't have two of everything. lol.
I have been gaining weight; this is really good because it is strengthening my body, which will make recovery after transplant easier.

February 12, 2010

Well, God has given me the opportunity to take online classes through Barstow.
I was also applying to BIOLA's BOLD Program to complete my degree, but they are discontinuing the program.
With God closing certain doors, I believe He is calling me to go back to the BIOLA University campus in order to complete my degree. I have sent in my re-admit application. I am praying that I am accepted and that I can start taking classes in the summer. I am praying that God keeps me healthy so that I can finish my degree without interruptions.
Now that I am on the transplant list and trying to go back to school I pray that God postpones the transplant till I have my degree in my hands.
"God keep me healthy so that I can continue my education and serve you in the work force."

For Daily Viewers

So I realize that some of you may visit this blog daily to see if I have written anything new, well today I DID! Sometimes I just don't think that things are worth writing about. I don't want to write in the heat of the moment because I might say something I may regret later; even though I can delete a post, you never know who has seen it in the time that it was up.

Well I guess I will share with you daily viewers what I did today.

I sat. I watched tv. I did my breathing treatments. I ate (when I had Boost Plus). I sat some more. and watch some more tv. I did my breathing treatments again. My Grandparents came to visit : ) this is what they brought me

adorable right? I think so : ) I ate again (well Boost Plus again). My Grandma and I played Go-Fish as while my Grandpa took a nap. Out of the 8 or so games we played I think I won two. Then I did my breathing treatments again again. Then my Dad came and we got to visit (he is still hear sitting with me, LOVE YOU DAD : ). Then I watched Ellen! Then I had a phone meeting for an hour. Now my Dad is talking about our chests being open. Gotta love my Dad. Now we are watching the Rams and Sea Hawks game. GO FOOTBALL! (sarcasm) 

That's my day so far daily viewers. Hope your day was FABULOUS (like how Jim Carrey would say in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," look it up). 

Christmas Cheer

A little Christmas cheer....

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/8VIOXrNq8rDYDcDr

(open the link to see my family sing)

A Good Night Sleep

One night in the hospital: to much to count the cost

Benadryl as a sleep aid: unknown

A good night sleep in the hospital: priceless

Last night I had the best sleep I ever had in the hospital. I am so thankful that God blessed me with a good nights rest after the kind of night I had before. It's hard to be in the hospital this time, before the transplant because there is nothing to do other than think about what's to come. I hope the next few days are easier.

Here We Go Again

I received a call this morning from the CF team saying that they want to bring me in today because the surgery has been scheduled for the 15th of December. I am praying that everything goes smoothly this time, because I have lost some weight and I know that I need to be a certain weight to have the surgery.

It's been tough trying to gain and maintain my weight because I do breathing treatments four times a day, which leaves about three hours in between for me to eat and do my daily activities. I usually get hungry about an hour before my next treatment, but by then it's too late for me to eat because I wouldn't be able to keep it down during my next breathing treatment. Hopefully we can get me to gain some weight within the next week.

Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers; this has been such a bumpy ride and I don't think we will really think it's going to happen until the night before or maybe even the morning of.

The only bummer of having the surgery now, is that I will be missing the annual Nutcracker with my Grandparents and cousins and 2nd cousins (shout out to Ava and Zoe : ) ), and I will most likely not be home for Christmas. I know that these things may seem trivial compared to having the opportunity to have a transplant, but I look forward to getting together with my family all year long. This was last years traditional pre-Nutcracker picture.

 and a picture of my cousin and I at Christmas : )

Just Talking

A little update...

I was told that the date the team is looking at may not work out because right now they only have one OR available. So, they have been calling all of the surgeons using the ORs that day, to see if they are willing to change the date of their surgery to allow us to use the OR. I feel kinda rude asking someone else to move their surgery date, since they could have been planning on this for quite awhile. I won't know for sure if we can get the ORs till probably the end of next week. (They told me they should know Monday or Tuesday, but I don't think I will hear from them then). I just thought you might want to know the latest.