tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28600715855654553002024-02-20T18:27:27.367-08:00AfterthoughtsThe thoughts of an ordinary man
who lived through an extraordinary experience.Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-27841628374359294732009-10-28T15:49:00.001-07:002009-10-28T15:49:00.405-07:00Shands -- the bad and the good<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'>We went to Shands this morning – a two hour drive at 6:00am. My clinic tests – FEV1, and six minute walk were not good. The FEV1 is now down to 0.94 (at home before we left it was 1.16 but that is normally higher than when I do it with the Shands’ professionals). The six minute walk was negative too; fewer feet walked and lower oxygen saturation afterwards.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'>However, our meeting with Dr. Baz was another story. First, he told us that the anti-body test was negative which means I could receive lungs from any donor than matches my blood type. Then he told us that I’ve already been put on the transplant list and that, based upon my test results, I should be three quarters of the way up the list. He also said that if my FEV1 gets low enough they will put me in the hospital with oxygen therapy and exercise until lungs become available.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Finally, he made a point of telling us that the survival for re-transplant patients is essentially the same as it for first time transplants – an average of five years.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-67897035474208306592009-10-27T15:39:00.000-07:002009-10-27T15:38:54.489-07:00Shands visit<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'>My FEV1 (lung function) is down to 1.19 this morning. I had a call from Wendy, the transplant coordinator, and the doctor’s have moved up my clinic visit to this Wednesday instead of next week. So Harriet and I will be going to Shands tomorrow morning for the regular tests – blood, X-ray, breathing, and the six minute walk, and meeting with doctor Baz to talk about what’s next. The Cyclosporine may arrive by then and we could also start that treatment. If not, we’ll have go back sometime later this week when it does.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I used the portable oxygen to take Bernie for three shorter walks today. However, he’s looking at me with that cocked head. I think he know something’s up. Smart cookie, that Bernie.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-39917516374980768402009-10-25T15:36:00.001-07:002009-10-25T15:36:48.214-07:00Still sliding<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'>My FEV1 was 1.36 yesterday. Today is was I.32. Harriet and I took Bernie for a walk down to the lake this morning. I took him for another walk in the middle of the afternoon. I spent most of the day on oxygen. We’re hoping for a call from Shands about the Cyclosporine tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-13385510579159314862009-10-22T15:34:00.000-07:002009-10-22T15:38:13.378-07:00New numbers<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">I don’t pretend to know what this means. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">As you may know my FEV1 (lung function) has been declining dramatically – not just every month or week, but every day. It has dropped from a high of 4.46 in June to 3.82 on September first. On October first if was 2.82. And it kept falling to 2.12 on the tenth, 1.93 on the thirteenth and 1.72 on the fifteenth. On the sixtieth it was down to 1.54. However, on October twentieth it had only dropped to 1.47. And this morning it was 1.50.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">In the meantime, the doctors at Shands have approved oxygen therapy and the insurance company has already provided a concentrator and portable oxygen equipment. I’m now using oxygen at night. Next week I’ll begin the inhaled Cyclosporine treatment.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">P.S. To make sure the portable oxygen works I used it on our last walk this afternoon. Bernie thinks it’s cool.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-59901072190921890192009-10-16T15:14:00.001-07:002009-10-16T15:18:59.635-07:00Return to Shands<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">We’re returning to Shands on Monday for additional tests relative to getting on the transplant list. We’ll also pick up a nebulizer for the inhaled cyclosporine and get instructions to operate it.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">P.S. Harriet and I went out for breakfast this morning at First Watch. When I got back home, Bernie had been a bad boy. He pulled my jeans out the doggy door onto the pool patio, and messed up the bedroom rugs. Oh…and ate a box of Gas-X. That’s right, a whole box of those pink chewable tablets. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-69612881556385426842009-10-15T07:33:00.001-07:002009-10-15T07:37:03.319-07:00The Shands update<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">First, the fun stuff: Bernie went crazy when we got back. We’d told the maids who come on Wednesdays that when they left they should lock him in our bedroom (of course, there’s a doggie door so he can roam the backyard pouncing on lizards). But we were longer than we expected and didn’t get home until almost 5pm. And when I opened the bedroom door he exploded into the hall, circled me three times, and then dashed up the stairs circled the smaller couch twice and nearly knocked Harriet over.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">I think he was happy to see us. But not quite as happy as when I took his leash down. I never hook it on him, but he knows that means we’re going on a walk. And so we did. </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Now, as regards the more serious stuff. The doctors are concerned about my declining lung function. They are not yet ready to call the Zithromax treatment a failure. I’ve only been on this powerful antibiotic for two weeks and they say it can take up to four weeks before you know the result. So, we will continue.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">However, we are also moving ahead with two alternatives. They have already contacted the company running a test with inhaled cyclosporine (a key immune suppressant) and requested a supply of the drug for me. And we have begun the various tests that need to be performed for the doctors to put me on the list for a re-transplant. I believe I mentioned the PRA blood test which was done at Shands on this trip. Before we left they also had me in for an echocardiogram.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Finally, we’re scheduled for another meeting with the doctors in two weeks. In the meantime, life goes on. And Bernie is looking at me as if it’s time for our second walk this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-78858111129271309762009-10-12T15:26:00.000-07:002009-10-12T15:36:47.216-07:00Latest update<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">I have no idea where this will lead, but I thought I should put the information in this blog.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"> I called Wendy,my transplant coordinator, this morning and left her a message that my FEV1 (lung function) was continuing to decline and had now gone below 2.0 – about 60% of predicted for a man of my age and weight. This afternoon she called back and told me that Dr. Baz, the lung transplant director at Shands, had ordered a PRA (Panel Reactive Antibody) test for me when we go to Shands on Wednesday morning.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Naturally, I asked what a PRA was. She explained that it was the first protocol for re-transplantation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-82152298863548049972009-10-07T16:04:00.000-07:002009-10-07T16:11:49.920-07:00An apology<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">On second reading, I’d like to apologize for last night’s entry on this blog. I’m the only Stooge that was involved. My attempts to make light of the situation were a mistake. All three types of chronic rejection are serious conditions and deserve better. I wish I could confirm that I have type one or two chronic rejection, but the rate of my lung function decline would suggest type three. According to the doctors, even that doesn’t mean Zithromax and other efforts can’t stem the drop. It has with other patients. And, in fact, my FEV1 this morning was only .1 lower than yesterday. That’s some positive news.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">But it takes a ton of it to cover up the fear, which sometimes makes you do silly things – just like the Stooges.<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-38239030567157428662009-10-06T14:54:00.001-07:002009-10-06T17:14:28.611-07:00The Three Stooges<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">It turns out there are three kinds of chronic rejection. None of which are nearly as funny as Larry, Moe and Curly.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Stooge 1 begins with a decline in FEV1 (lung function) and then stabilizes and can remain that way for a number of years. However, in almost all cases, it eventually morphs into Stooge 2 or 3. And then moves from there to the final conclusion.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Stooge 2 involves a slow, steady decline in FEV1 over a number of months or years, may resolve its decline at times, but later commences again and proceeds to the final conclusion.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Stooge 3 exhibits a sudden, dramatic decline in FEV1 and normally leads to a final conclusion in a matter of months.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">According to the doctors at Shands and what I’ve read on the Internet, Zithromax has been shown to be an positive treatment for all three of these conditions, at least in some cases. For some patients, it has not only stabilized FEV1 decline but reversed it.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">So everyone is clear, in a phone conversation this afternoon my transplant coordinator told me it’s too early to determine what type of chronic rejection I’m experiencing. And it’s too soon to expect any reaction from the Zithromax I taking – I’ve only been on it a week and taken only 5 tablets. I’m scheduled to talk with the doctors again next Wednesday. Maybe then we’ll have a better idea of where I am and what comes next.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">By the way, did you know that Moe’s real name was Moses Horiwitz?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-34707562173442082562009-10-03T20:05:00.000-07:002009-10-03T20:15:10.255-07:00On squirrels and other beasties...<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">On our last walk today Bernie, once again, was his imitable self and had me thinking. During our time together he must have chased 200 squirrels that escaped by scampering up trees, leaving him with his paws up on the trunk looking up. I’ve told him dozens of times that he can’t climb trees, but it doesn’t make any difference. Today he stopped down by the lake and sat for a full minute looking up at squirrel high up on the branches of an oak while it chattered away at him. He just refuses to give up. </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">I’ve picked up a lesson in his stubbornness. When we were at Shands earlier this week, the doctors explained to me that I’m not in acute rejection. It has morphed into another condition called chronic rejection which is sometimes known as bronchiolitis obliterans. I wouldn’t be surprised if that somewhat indelicate medical description conjures up Indiana Jones’ classic remark, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” For the record, the median survival time for patients with chronic rejection is 31.34 months.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">However, with a nod to Bernie and his squirrels, I want to emphasize the word <u>median</u> in those research results. There are many transplant recipients with chronic rejection who have survived much longer, years longer. This week the doctors put me on a regimen including Zithromax which has a proven record of halting the progress of chronic rejection and in some cases actually improving a patient’s lung function.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Finally, I want to point out that I <i><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">can</span></i> climb trees. And I refuse to give up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-1942698407309201072009-09-29T10:54:00.001-07:002009-09-29T10:57:21.137-07:00Back to Shands<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">We leave for Shands tomorrow morning around 6am. Labs and tests at 8am (blood draw, PFTs – pulmonary function tests – and a 6 minute walk). We’ll meet with the doctors at 10am. I suspect they will either modify my medications again or possibly put me back in the hospital for more ATG or some another treatment. I’ve already talked to Bernie. He’s ready to take over the blog for a while if he’s needed.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">P.S Mum’s the word. He thinks I’m on a squirrel hunting trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-1150069201932353832009-09-27T14:39:00.001-07:002009-09-27T14:44:16.133-07:00Mother duck<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Have I mentioned her? She lives on the Rolling Hills golf course <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">lake</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Bernie</st1:placename></st1:place> and I always walk past. This spring she had a brude of seven chicks. Sometime during the summer one of them disappeared, unfortunately. But she’s taken great care of the remaining six and now they’re almost all grown up; big enough that it’s hard to tell which one is mom bobbing in the water.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">I’ve never seen the father with them. I guess he got cut out the chick raising fairly early on. Not long after the two mallards got together and he started things…well, you know what I mean.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">It got me to thinking. That seems to be the case with us humans too. I know some dads walk away, and others shy away from raising their children. But even those who really want to be involved end up taking the bleacher seats, always watching from a distance.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Do dads do something wrong? Or is it just a mom thing? For whatever it’s worth, it hurts to feel like you’re on the outside, looking in at your family.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Ring, ring! Hello? Hi dad – is mom there?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-86878657131629711572009-09-26T10:04:00.001-07:002009-09-26T10:11:04.493-07:00An update note<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">The new best laid plan is progressing as planned. No side effects from the new med, Zithromax. Or the increase in the Prograf to 1.5 mg and the return to Imuran.The prednisone taper (down to 50mg today) only has me thinking about eating the couch…just thinking. My FEV1 has moved up slightly. And most importantly, Bernie has no idea anything is wrong. We’re still walking about two miles a day. So far on this morning’s walks he’s socialized with three dogs and chased six lizards and one squirrel.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Same old same old. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-45456652054407780212009-09-24T10:53:00.001-07:002009-09-24T10:58:28.313-07:00Best laid plans<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Sometimes they don’t work. Apparently, that’s the case with my rabbit juice treatment. I must have an immune system as stubborn as I am. Since Tuesday of this week my FEV1 (lung function) has been declining which means the T-cells haven’t completely given up the fight, still trying to rid my body of these “evil intruders”. I yelled at my chest a few times this morning trying to explain that they’re attacking me, but I guess I don’t know their language. So I called my transplant coordinator; she talked with Dr. Baz and called me back this afternoon. </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">The new best laid plan includes a trip back to Shands this coming Wednesday for more tests during “Clinic,” the regular check up time for transplant recipients. In the mean time they’ve made a few changes in my medications. Starting tonight I go back on Imuran, the immunosuppressant I was taken off of before the ATG treatment. I also start a Prednisone taper starting at 60mg and going down 5 mg per day. I’m to increase my Prograf, another immunosuppressant, to 1.5 mg a day. And finally, they’re putting me on Zithromax, a powerful antibiotic that is also sometimes used in immune system suppression regimens.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">So, take <i><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">that </span></i>you ornery T-cells!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">P.S. For anyone interested, I'm not feeling bad, just a little breathy. But Bernie's still getting his walks of two or three miles a day.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-27885943880488205932009-09-21T13:56:00.000-07:002009-09-21T15:17:29.018-07:00Another lesson from Bernie<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Yesterday, on our first walk of the day, Bernie broke with ADT (Ancient Dog Tradition) and reminded me of another truism. As I’ve noted before, I think one of the great things about dogs is that they live in the moment, not worrying about the past or the future. So, imagine my surprise when we got in front of the yellow house down by the lake, and Bernie went straight to where I’d made him drop the baby gator. He sniffed and sniffed all around the spot, then looked up at me and cocked his head. I could almost hear him ask, “Where is it?” </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">For a second I was stuck. Another dog or raccoon, or something took it? It’s in the garbage? Then it came to me. I shook my head and told him the same thing he hears when he’s begged the last scrap from me at the dinner table. “All gone, Bernie.” Satisfied, he turned and headed off down the road, an eye out from the next lizard. </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">And, as usual, he left me thinking. That thing about opportunity only knocking once may be a cliché, but in this new life I’ve been lucky enough to gain, I’m going to try to take advantage of every one that comes my way. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-77926931475260867532009-09-19T16:28:00.001-07:002009-09-19T16:39:08.784-07:00You never know...<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">I’m feeling better; my lung function blows are back up to 3.33 and Bernie and I are walking a mile and a half to two miles a day. And, as usual, he has me thinking.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">This afternoon, we were about half way back from the lake, in front of the yellow house at the corner, when Bernie picked up something from the road. At first, I thought it was a stick because of the long pointy thing protruding from one side of his mouth. I made him stop and sit. But when I got closer, I started commanding, “Drop it! Drop it.” Bernie didn’t like it, but finally complied. What he’d picked up was smushed like it had been run over by a car. However, it was clear that the long pointy thing was a tail, and what Bernie had picked up was a young gator. I told him to leave it and he happily moved on sniffing for his next lizard.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">The point is, you never know what the next walk will bring and it’s no good worrying about. Like Bernie, it’s best to live one lizard at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-60731650425901647272009-09-18T08:32:00.001-07:002009-09-18T08:32:28.678-07:00Advice<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Just a few words to let everyone know that you DO NOT want to have an ATG treatment. That truck full of bunnies that ran over me backed up and is doing it again, and again, and…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-14163975233833489792009-09-15T13:18:00.001-07:002009-09-15T13:21:40.204-07:00Rabbit flu<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">I want to thank Harriet for her excellent job at teaching Bernie how to type. With her help, he took over here in my absence and carried on nicely. However, I’m not sure about letting him go on Twitter. He tends to blab.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Anyway, I survived the ATG treatment at Shands and I’m recovering now at home. According to Wendy, my new transplant coordinator, it feels like you’ve been run over by a truck. She might be holding back a little on that description, but you get the idea. One of the doctors at Shands explained it so even I could understand. And also cleared up another mystery: why everyone at Shands calls ATG rabbit juice.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">T-cells or lymphocytes are a central part of our immune systems, the soldiers in our blood who fight intruders such as bacteria and viruses -- and foreign bodies like transplanted organs. When I went into rejection it was because, despite my anti-immune medications, my t-cells – smart little devils -- had figured out that my transplanted lungs were not natives. So, they attacked.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">You’ll recall that the doctors made two attempts to correct the rejection using the high powered steroid Solumedrol and both were unsuccessful. So, more powerful medicine was indicated. We needed something that would attack my t-cells. And this is where it gets interesting.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Some <i><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">really</span></i> bright medical researcher figured this one out. All animals have immune systems. So why not inject another species with human t-cells? Then their immune systems would develop anti-bodies to attack the intruders, the human t-cells. And then we could extract the anti-bodies from the other species and inject them into the human patient with rejection. The anti-bodies would attack the t-cells and the rejection would stop.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">I don’t know why the researcher picked rabbits, but there must have been a lot of those bunnies in the truck that hit me. I may be the only person in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Orlando</st1:place></st1:city> with rabbit flu.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-38975083705464679492009-09-12T21:24:00.001-07:002009-09-12T21:24:29.876-07:00Final Entry<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Yipee! Mom says Dad’s comin’ home on Sunday. I can’t wait! He went through all the treatments without any side effects except for his blood sugars being off the chart. They were so high today the meter wouldn’t even give a reading….whatever that means. Just know they had to give him more insulin to get it back in the right range and they said it was all because of the meds. So guess the Twizzlers Mom left in his room when she took his book to him on Monday weren’t the only culprits. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Oh, I was a bad boy today; Mom left me alone to go get her car worked on and I was able to push open the door in the shower room where I found a really interesting bag of goodies. I had such fun…..the toothpaste tasted pretty good, but the shampoo and conditioner made my mouth soapy. The instant heat wrap package innerds were like coffee grounds, so I just spread them all over the rug with the baby powder. I thought it looked really neat. Unfortunately Mom didn’t think so. She was so-o-o mad; I was really shaking because she yelled so loud. And if that wasn’t enough punishment, she didn’t even take me for a walk until after she left again to go get groceries. I just don’t like it when they leave me alone. I get so bored and the door was open just a little, so I just couldn’t help myself. Sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Well, the leader of the pack will be home tomorrow, so all will be right with the world again…..and he can get back to blogging. It’s been fun, but I wouldn’t want this to be my day job. Chasing lizards is more my style.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Love,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Bernie <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-39323361547383385122009-09-11T19:22:00.001-07:002009-09-11T19:22:29.522-07:00Day 3 Treatment<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Bernie’s sacked out next to me as it’s fairly late but we wanted to give you a quick update. Day 3 treatment was uneventful, except that Larry was low in sodium, so he had to do 4 hours of the rabbit drug and then 4 hours of a sodium chloride drip. I asked why he just couldn’t have some fries with lots of salt! But he’s coming through the treatments with no side effects and is on the downhill slope to being back at home. As it stands today, I’m to go get him at 10:30 Sunday morning. Thanks goodness….Bernie says I’m not as good a conversationalist as Dad. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-52734230361135044572009-09-10T20:56:00.001-07:002009-09-10T20:56:30.401-07:00Day 2 at Shands<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Hi, it’s <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bern</st1:place></st1:City>…..gettin’ the hang of this typing thang…sorta. Today was a better day for me. Mom FINALLY put a hot dog in my food so I could eat it. And I got 2 LONG walks with her too! Played in the neighbor’s yard across from the lake while Mom talked with the new lady owner of Captain, a white shitzue who doesn’t even know there are lizards in his yard. He just sat there while I chased them, frequently mushing down the bushes as Mom yelled at me to stop. But I caught 2 of them. Spent a lot of time on my back scratching it on the grass….sure felt good. Mom says Dad’s 2<sup>nd</sup> day of treatments went without any side effects and that now he’s just bored. I understand bored….all I did was sleep while Mom worked on that funny thing with a screen that looks like a TV but only has words on it. The doctor told Dad they will test the levels of the rabbit drug in his system early Friday morning and if the levels are ok he’ll get the 3<sup>rd</sup> treatment on Friday, 4<sup>th</sup> on Saturday and then he will come HOME on Sunday. If the levels are not right, then they’ll have to skip a day of treatment and he’ll have to stay until Monday. I can’t wait for him to come home so I can do 4 walks a day; I have to help keep Dad in shape so I look really sad and he thinks I’m the one that wants to go out. Just call me Dr. Bernie.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-3496125662181324842009-09-09T15:35:00.001-07:002009-09-09T15:35:34.143-07:00Day 1 - Uneventful<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Bernie’s asleep, so he asked me to make this entry for the day. Larry’s 1<sup>st</sup> treatment went very well; he said he really had no nasty side effects. Was a little sleepy from the Benadryl they gave him to ward off any reactions, but otherwise said he’s feeling pretty good. Didn’t sleep very well last night from just being in a hospital and apprehensive about what today might bring. So, he’s looking forward to a good night’s rest with day one under his belt. Bernie and I did have 2 walks today but he seemed to just laze around all day and kept going to the back door looking for Dad. I’ve tried to allay his fears, but he’s a little down in the dumps. Maybe I’ll go give him a treat along with assurances that we are one day closer to his best friend coming home.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-60776541657595633192009-09-08T15:56:00.001-07:002009-09-09T09:17:40.053-07:00Bernie's 1st Entry<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14;">This typing stuf is hard! But I promized Dad I wuld let u know how he’s doin’. The stay at Shands in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Gainesville</st1:place></st1:city> will be 5-7 days, but Mom promised to wlk me at least twce a day. Oh, Dad…..they insorted a picc line to give him the ATG meds onse a day for 4 days but mite tke 5 days. Each dose tks 4 hrs to go in and they told him IF he has any bAd reactions, they will prob be the first day. Mom said she’d give me treats (uumm…chiken) if I was good. Oh, Dad? Well he was in good sprits when Mom left at 3:45 to mke sur she culd pik me up from the prision before they closed. Boy was I happee to see her; and she even tuk me for the laste walk down by the lake. Dad??? Oh yeah, he starts the treatmant tumrrow and may be feverish and have the chills, but the doctor’s monitor hem real gud to make sure he’ll be ok. I kan’t do this anymore tunight, but I promize to tell u more tumorrow.<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:blue;"><span style="font-size:12;color:blue;"><a href="http://www.wakingwalt.com/"></a></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-80643331331121522432009-09-07T14:38:00.000-07:002009-09-07T14:42:41.719-07:00Awfully Tight Gut<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">We’re on our way to Shands at 6am tomorrow morning. After the PFTs at 8:30am I expect to be admitted for a five to seven day stay and an ATG treatment. I don’t think I’ll have access to a computer, and I may not feel well enough to report anything anyhow. I've talked to Harriet about Bernie keeping you updated. She said she’ll start typing lessons as soon as she gets back Tuesday afternoon.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Regards,<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Larry<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860071585565455300.post-28665949363253343692009-09-04T15:39:00.000-07:002009-09-04T15:48:02.245-07:00Here's the Plan...<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">I was wrong. Based on my PFTs (Pulmonary Function Test) here in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Orlando</st1:place></st1:city>, the doctors at Shands are sure I’m still in acute rejection. They’re concerned that if we don’t take stronger steps, my lung function could decline to the point where it could not be recovered. This is despite the fact that my lung function in the tests here was approximately 100% of what would be expected for a normal man of my height and weigh. We have to remember that in early June it was 160%.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">So, this is the plan: we’ll go to Shands on Tuesday morning and take another PFT. If the numbers haven’t improved considerably, I will be admitted to the hospital for an ATG (Anti-thymocyte gobulin) treatment, which normally takes 5 to 7 days. ATG is an IV that is much stronger than Solumedrol. It completely knocks back the immune system so we can start all over tricking it into believing these new lungs belong here. It has some fairly nasty side effects (fever and flu-like symptoms), and makes the patient vulnerable to infections – at least until the immune system begins to come back. However, it has been a part of the transplant arsenal for a while and the medical community is used to dealing with it.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Unfortunately, as a result of the stay in the hospital and the concerns about infections, it’s quite likely that our vacation will have to come later. Harriet and I have our fingers crossed that we may be able to travel via air and still see my son’s in Dowagiac on the 19<sup>th</sup> of September (their band is playing at the Wounded Minnow) and enjoy my fraternity reunion in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> on the 20<sup>th</sup> through the 23<sup>rd</sup>. But the doctors at Shands will make that decision.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">Once again, please don’t tell Bernie. He thinks he’s going for a long ride --with all those lizard to hunt.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;">P.S. If you really want to grimace, you can Google Anti-thymocyte gobulin. The stuff comes from rabbits or horses. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div>Larry Pontiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444894193284055647noreply@blogger.com0