Doing Well...

Sorry I haven't written in quite awhile. I am doing well; I've reached 8 months YAY!!! I now see the doctor once a month, and I will till at least one year is up. Starting school again this Fall, taking 12 units plus doing an internship at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I am excited for the school year to start next week. Thank you for all of your prayers and support.

Oh, we went on vacation last weekend and hear are some pictures.

Tamara

My friend Tamara went to be with the Lord yesterday. Please keep her family in your prayers.

An Update

So my friend Tamara is doing well, she stood up yesterday for about 30 seconds and the doctors say she is improving. Please keep her in your prayers, she still has a long recovery ahead of her, they will be doing some dialysis to rid her body of some toxins that have built up.

I started school last Tuesday and have enjoyed getting back to classes and having something to do and can't wait till the Fall semester begins.

I am also still getting over a cold that I caught from my Mom about two weeks ago, so please keep that in your prayers. I have been coughing a bit because of it.

God continues to bless my family and I am thankful for His faithfulness.

In and out in a weekend

So I caught my Mom's cold on Wednesday and ended up spiking a 102 fever Friday. The doctors put me in the hospital just to monitor me and make sure that I wasn't rejecting. I was descharged today though and everything is good! : )


PLEASE PRAY

My friend Tamara (www.breathing-with-God.com) is going to have the same kind of transplant that I had. Her surgery is scheduled for Monday at 7am. Please keep her and her donors in your prayers. God is good and has a wonderful plan!

College

I signed up for college courses today. It's official, I am going back to school this summer.

Summer Courses: Biology
                             Theology II

Fall Courses: Beginning Bowling
                      Organizational Communication
                      RADS (Rape and Defense course)
                      Interpersonal Communication
                      Acts

YAY!!!

Great Strides Walk

A BIG "Thank You" goes out to all of those who donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the CF Walk this year. Without your generous gift we would not be able to fund research to find a cure. We reached over and above our team goal of $1,000; total we raised $3,160. WAY TO GO!!!

We had great weather for the walk today. We walked over 3 miles; I was even able to run a few paces. Hopefully next year I will be in even better shape that I will be able to run more of the park.

Thanks everyone for all of your support!

(pictures to follow)

Saturday Outing

I went with my mom to the L.A. Book Fair today. To be honest I didn't enjoy it, there were too many people to get a good look at what was there. Not to mention the two people I was looking forward to seeing weren't there today, they are there tomorrow (Julie Andrews and Betty White). Then I also found out that they are doing signings they are their to do readings. Oh well, at least I got a good walk in for the day and a good dose of vitamin D from the Sun.

Only one week till the San Dimas Great Strides walk to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Thanks everyone for your support and donations.

I hope you all have a fabulous Saturday night!

Clean Car

For the first time since my transplant I washed my car myself today. It was so amazing how I wasn't getting out of breath. I use to have to stop quite often while washing my car, but today it was non-stop till the inside and outside were completely "Bree" clean. Thanks Dad and Amber for giving me the opportunity to wash my car without getting out of breath.

UPDATE ON FUNDRAISING:
     So far as a team we have raised $430, our goal is to raise $1,000. Lets continue to raise money to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Thank you to all those who have made donations.

Four Months and a day...

It's been four months since the transplant and I am feeling good! Everyone here at home is doing well too. Dad is working and healing up well, Amber is in school and enjoying spending time with friends, and Mom is working and looking forward to the summer. This summer I plan on going back to school and finding a job.

Don't forget the Great Strides walk is on April 28th and I am trying to raise $1,000 this year to help cure Cystic Fibrosis. Visit http://cff.org/Great_Strides/BreeABowers if you are interested in donating.

Grandma

Hi Everyone,

My Grandma has been out of surgery for quite awhile, and is doing well. Thank you for your prayers.

I love you Grandma!

Easter

Happy Easter everyone! Jesus has risen and our sins are forgiven! What a wonderful day I had a with family. I did something I couldn't do a year ago too, I jump-roped. I hope you all day a terrific day and will have a great week.

And please keep my Grandma in your prayers, she is having knee surgery this Wednesday. (You'll do GREAT Grandma! Love you!).

Don't forget to consider making a donation to BREE'S TEAM for the Great Strides walk.

GREAT STRIDES in taking steps to cure Cystic Fibrosis

Hi Everyone,

This year I will be able to participate in the Great Strides walk in San Dimas. I am trying to raise money for my family's team, "BREE'S TEAM." If you are interested in joining us this year, or would just like to make a donation, please view my Great Strides home page at

http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/BreeABowers

If you have any questions or comments go ahead and write on this post. I hope you are all doing well.

Thank you for all of your support.

a Picture of my family at last years walk

Movies that were Books

Just like Twilight I am disappointed in the movie makers who made The Hunger Games. I don't know if anyone else felt this way, but I felt the movie was just a summary of the book (which was disappointing, I was looking for the details that the book had). It really made me upset with how they had Katniss buy the pin for her sister, when it was given to Katniss by the mayor's daughter in the book. It seems that if I want the movies made right I will just have to become a film maker, or at least be the one to write the screenplays.

Now after finishing The Hunger Games series I am reading "The Lucky One," which is also being made into a movie...lol...maybe I should stay away from the movies that I have read as books to avoid disappointment.

Books

I finally found a good book to read. The Hunger Games. The idea behind the whole book is gruesome, but the way in which the main character handles the situation makes the book not as dark. Having read the first two books within a week I decided to by the Nook Tablet. I thought I would fall in love with it and love using it to read and look things up on the internet, but I was wrong. Turns out I miss using the actual book; I don't like looking at a screen all the time. I guess I am old fashioned in that way.

Three Months Out

Three months ago today my father and sister were both on the operating table, as was I, while my mom waited patiently in the waiting room with family and friends. Today I am doing well; I walk almost 2 miles the majority of the week, and I have been working with a physical therapist to help improve my strength, endurance, and flexibility.

I want to thank everyone who has kept my family in their thoughts and prayers; God has truly been doing a great work in our lives.

OH, I have graduated to seeing the doctor only every other week instead of the original twice a week and then once a week. I am on the fast track to full recovery. : )

Doing Well

Sorry I haven't been writing, there just hasn't been much to write about.

I keep getting good reports from the transplant doctors. I have now started going to clinic only once a week, compared to two weeks ago when I was going twice a week. I also started taking Pulmonary Function Tests every time I go to clinic now and the doctor said they look great.

I have continued to have physical therapy, and I am improving every time I go (which is every time I go to clinic). Last week I took the stairs from the third floor to the eighth floor, back down to the third floor, and then up to the fourth floor and back down to the third; this was all after walking 1.5 miles in about 30 minutes. My physical therapist said I was walking 3 miles an hour. Hopefully I continue to improve so I can run the Cystic Fibrosis walk at the end of April in San Dimas.

This is my family at the walk last year. (I couldn't go because I was in the hospital).

Super Bowl Sunday

The surgery went well everyone : ) I still have some pain from the last surgery and I am taking some pain meds for that, but other than that I am feeling really well.

Today I am going to watch the Super Bowl Game with my family and try and not be jealous that they can have chips and dip and all the other munchies they have prepared, while I am on a clear liquid diet, YAY!

I hope everyone had a great week last week. This next week will be filled with more doctors appointments for me. I have an appointment to check my sinuses and hearing, my regular clinic visit for transplant, and a follow up appointment with the doctor who did my last surgery. That reminds me, I still need to get my stitches out where my chest tubes were.

Enjoy the day everyone! Oh, any predictions on who will win the Super Bowl?

Surgery Monday Morning

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to let you know that I will be having surgery Monday morning at 7:30 to help fix my acid reflex problem. The surgery will allow me to restart my night time feedings that I use to do before the surgery; ultimately helping me gain back more weight. Please keep me and my family in your prayers; me with having the procedure, my sister being back at school, and my parents soon to be going back to work. It's been a blessing having everyone at home, but we have to get back to "living our normal lives."

A BIG Thank You to all of you who have kept us in your prayers! May God bless you!

Another Clinic Visit

We took another trip to the clinic today. Everything is looking good. Did a CT scan of my sinuses because I am starting to feel some facial pressure, but it's just a precaution.

The next thing I have on my mind is a visit I have tomorrow with a doctor to talk about a procedure to tighten my esophagus so I don't have reflux problems anymore. Hopefully he will decide to do the procedure really soon so I can get it out of the way and stay out of the hospital for quite a while.

The following is a message from my friend Sally about needing a donor:

NEEDED:  ORGAN (LUNG) DONOR

My name is Sally.  I was born with a lung disease called Cystic Fibrosis (CF).  Chronic lung infections have damaged my lungs and I now need a double lung transplant.  I have been listed with the National Organ Database (www.UNOS.org) for 2.5 years, during which time my health has continued to decline.  January 17, 2012 my doctors suggested we begin looking for Living Lobar Donors. 

A set of human lungs is comprised of 5 sections.  A Living Lobar Transplant requires two individuals to donate ONE section each.

Preliminary Requirements:

·      Type O Blood

·      Minimum Height 5’11”

·      Age: 18-55

·      Healthy weight (Body Mass Index  between 18-30)

Go here to calculate your BMI:  http://ww.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

·      Male or Female

My health insurance covers 100% of the medical expenses related to the donation (tests, surgery, follow up)

You may not be a candidate, but you may know someone who is.  As you are willing and able, please pass along this request.

If you have questions or want more information, please do not hesitate to contact myself or my husband, John:

661-752-5150

LungsForSally@gmail.com

You can also find me on Facebook!  (Sally Stroup Wiker)

With Grateful Hearts,

Sally and John Wiker

My Friend Sally

So I have a friend named Sally who also has CF. Unfortunately she is not doing too well; she has been on the lung transplant list for 2+ years with no luck of receiving a phone call. Like I did, she is now having to consider having a living-lobar transplant. Let's help her find a new set of lungs! If you are interested in being a possible donor let me know and I will share your information with her. Giving an organ is a big deal, so pray about it before you respond : ) (you can comment on this post to let me know and we can go from there).


these are the requirements for the donors (we need 2):
-Type O Blood
-Minimum Height 5'11"
-Age 18-55
-BMI of 30 or below (if you don't know what this means, google it, lol)
-Male or Female
And her insurance will cover 100% of your donor medical expenses

A Video

This is a short clip of my new lungs/lobes before they put them into my chest. (Yes, they are expanding).

A Bit of Joyful News

So I went to transplant clinic today and was finally able to get some clear answers about last week. After the x-ray that led to the CT scan that they did last week, they thought that I might have an infection or rejection because there was a cloudy likeness (I think) on my right lung. They had decided to do a bronc, but at the urging of the surgeon who did my transplant, they did not take a biopsy because my lungs are fresh and are also lobes (so they might bleed more). So they just cleaned out my lungs and sent that to be tested. The IV meds were covering all of the bases; in case it was an infection I was getting antibiotics, and in case it was rejection I was getting a very high dose of steroids. Today they told me that because they didn't do a biopsy, they can't say for sure that it was a rejection. Because I have had trouble with retaining water, it could have been more fluid build up. So, the docs are adjusting my meds, like they will for quite a while, and I am now feeling good (mentally and physically). It is amazing at how news like this can change your whole day.

I am so thankful to God for watching over me. I know He has a reason for me going in last week. I am continuing to put all of my trust in Him as He guides me through His word and in my life. The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Thank you Lord for all you have done for me and for my family.

Some Pictures and A little itty bitty update

I am finally able to put some pictures up for everyone after everything that has happened.

this is right before they came to get me for the transplant

Papa, Dad, Mom, Amber, Dean, and I before Amber and Dad go to pre-op

these were the anesthesiologists that gave me some relaxing medicine

wheeling me into the elevator to go down to the fourth floor for surgery

after the transplant

Dad after the transplant

Amber after the transplant

me again

I think this was my first time sitting in a chair after transplant

here are a few more pictures of our journey

Christmas Day 2011

January 5, 2011 (the day I went home)

walking out of the hospital

our Christmas celebration

Oh, a little update: I made it home Saturday after having a little rejection (I think that is what happened, I have to ask the doctors for sure what all happened).

Short and Sweet

So the doctors say that my x-ray looks a lot better. I should be going home tomorrow morning. YAY!

First Post-Transplant Clinic Visit

So the day started out really early as my Mom and I went to the first clinic appointment since I was released from the hospital. The day went well as I got my blood drawn, had a chest x-ray, and then had lunch with my Mom and as we waited for physical therapy. Then at physical therapy I walked on a treadmill for 30 minutes, sometimes with it elevated. That was the hardest I had worked out since the transplant, but when I started feeling anxious we slowed down to make me more comfortable. After physical therapy we went over to the clinic were they said it looks like I had some fluid in or by my right lobe. To stay on top of things they had me got get a ct scan. When we returned to clinic they told us that they would need to do a bronc because it looks like the fluid was not on the outside of the lungs, but was on the inside. There were several things this could mean 1) it could be a sign of rejection, 2) there could be an infection, or 3) it could just be fluid. My Mom and I should be able to find out this evening what it really is and then the doctors would treat accordingly. If it is a sign of rejection or an infection I would likely stay in for three days so they can start me on IV steroids or antibiotics, if it is just fluid they would likely start me on a pill to help get rid of the fluid. So all in all the past 24 hours have been a bit bumpy. Please keep my family and myself in your prayers, since this is a new experience for us.

Wonderful Christmas and a GREAT Deal

I had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating Christmas with my family. Thank you everyone for coming!

Today my Mom and I went to the bank and right before we went in she asked me if I was going to wear my mask to protect myself, but she realized what she was saying and said "well, maybe it's not a good idea to go into a bank wearing a mask, you might draw the wrong kind of attention" lol. Could you imagine if I had walked in wearing a mask?!

Later I wanted to go to Cost Plus World Market to look at what they might still have for Christmas, and guess what....90% OFF. That's right people I got 90% OFF of all the Christmas stuff I bought. There wasn't a whole lot to choose from, but I got some cute things.

P.S. First transplant clinic appointment tomorrow.

A Day with Dad

Today was a very relaxing day, I was able to spend the day with my Dad. We walked around Costco (not eating the samples, because I don't want to catch anything) very, very slowly compared to everyone else. We both think we need a sign on our backs that says we just had surgery and that is why we are so slow, lol. Later we went to go pick up our Christmas ham, since we are celebrating the beautiful holiday tomorrow. And the past couple of hours we have been sitting together watching tv, napping, and using our laptops. I love spending time with my Dad, he is a great guy!

Oh, Amber was able to spend time with Mom today going Christmas shopping for a few things. I love my sister and Mom too!

HOME

I made it home yesterday! It is so nice to be home and sleeping in my own bed. I can't thank God enough for all he has done for me over the past month. He has pulled me and my family through this and has given us the desires of our heart. I can't wait till we celebrate Christmas this Sunday with family!

Not the Best Night

So last night had a big bump in it. For those of you who don't know, I have a port that is used to administer IV medication. Fortunately I haven't needed much through it the past couple of days, but unfortunately I forgot to voice that it needed to have heparin pushed through it everyday so that it stays open. Last night they started me on an IV anti-rejection med for six hours and at about hour two it was no longer flowing. After a couple of hours of them trying different things to see if it would unclog (so now it's one in the morning) they decided to take out the access needle and replace it to see if a new needle would allow it to flush. Thank the Lord that that worked! But all in all it was a long night for me. I am now trying to relax and take my mind off of the pain by watching the Rose Parade. This is the first time I started watching it when it actually started and not as it repeats all day, lol.

It's a New Year

Well it is now 2012. 2011 was by far one of the biggest years of my life. It started out with multiple hospitalizations, so many to count that I would probably have to use both of my hands and one foot. And it ended with a TRANSPLANT! As I look back over the year I can't believe all that has happened and how I have grown. My family has been amazing supporting me through all of the hospitalizations, and making the ultimate sacfrice by donating a part of themselves to me to give me a better life.

Today I am feeling GREAT!! In just a bit of pain, but nothing like it has been (it's more discomfort, unless I move a certain way). I can't wait to get home and celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Last night to celebrate the New Year I stayed up and watched Dick Clark's New Years Rockin Eve to see the ball drop in New York City. I think I would like to go there for one New Years, but then again I don't know how I would do having to stand for hours with out a bathroom break.

I just want to give a big THANK YOU to my God, my family and my friends for all you have done for me. God you have been amazing bringing me through all of this. I will be a walking testimony that you keep your promises and that you do speak to people. To my family: thank you for always being there for me and never doubting that God would bring me through this. To my friends: thank you for your smiling faces that brightened up my day when I was down, and for all of the great talks we have had over the years. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD!! (I may have never met you, but I still feel your support).

The following song is my THANK YOU to all of you and my Lord. (forgive me I don't know all the words yet by heart, by I still mean each one).