Good? No!!! But that's ok....

All righty!!!! I saw my lung transplant pulmonologist today. Before I saw him, I had the normal pulmonary function tests, chest xray and blood work done. First, I'll give you the GOOD news. :)

My blood counts are up, which is a very good thing. My bone marrow seems to be coming out of its depression and producing those red and white blood cells like it's supposed to! Whoo hoo! Go bone marrow!!!

On the other hand........

My lung function tests remain about the same. I was really thinking that little percentage increase was going to make a difference, but my doc informed me that it's still quite a bit lower than it was 2 months ago. Sooooooo of course being the aggressive (thank God.. literally thank God) doc that he is, decided to do something about it!!!!!

Pending a negative CT scan that I had today (meaning there is no infection hiding in my lungs), I will be admitted next week for some good ole rATG!!! It's a medication that pretty much wipes out your immune system to stop any rejection that might be going on. We are hoping and praying that it works. My pulmonologist didn't want to put me on Campath, which is a much stronger med, because I seem to be very "infectious" and get infections very easily. He didn't want to push it unless he has to!!!

So it seems I'll be spending a few days at Duke. At least it will help me catch up on my Photoshop classes, huh? :) I'm not really worried. My doc is so aggressive and catches things early. Chronic rejection is so common for anyone 5 years or more out of lung transplant, and I'm over 8 years out!!!! The lungs are the one organ that seems to reject much easier, because it is exposed to the outside environment, unlike other organs.. sayyyyyy like my new kidney. If this rATG doesn't work, then my doc will just try something else. I have all the confidence in the world with Duke's transplant program. SO, so happy to be a patient there. I feel totally blessed!

OK, so that is really all I have to say. I'll update if my CT looks good and my orders are written for admission next week. Love to all!!!!