As per Paul's last posting earlier, I got to read all your comments this week, some going back to early May. Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and good wishes.
The past week has been fairly uneventful. On Wednesday I had a bronchoscopy at Prince Charles Hospital where they took some lung tissue to check for rejection or infection and generally make sure the new lungs are performing well. I was given the all clear so it was good news. I know that at some point I will experience a setback of some sort, almost all transplant recipients do, but so far I'm having a dream run so, touch wood, I hope it continues.
Watched the Medical Emergency program on channel 7 last Tuesday which included a segment about a lady undergoing double lung transplant surgery. It was just amazing to think that I was in that position only a couple of months ago. In particular I was surprised at just how big the new lungs were and, looking at the scar on my chest, wondered just how the surgeons could fit them in and make them work. The program continues next Tuesday night at 8.00pm and I'm looking forward to it.
Haven't managed to catch up with all the staff at Prince Charles' GICU yet but I'm back for my normal check-up on Thursday so we'll try again then. In particular I want to catch up with Nurse Ross for her Dahl recipe and the two Cathies.
Talk again in a week.
Bye,
Ben
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Paul's Sincerest Apologies!
I've just discovered that comments posted to the site weren't showing up. It's my fault.. I'm sorry! The BOSS is going to kill me.. (just remember how precious life is Dad?!?!)! The good news is they're all back up and Ben (Dad) will no doubt be reading through them all soon.
Whilst I'm writing, I'd like to quickly thank you all for your kind words and well wishes along the way. The blog is not only a great way for us to communicate Ben's progress but to also look back and recollect just how far he has come. Every time I see him now it's a shock, he's doing so well and is really a whole different person. It's still a road we're all traveling though and Ben (an avid blogger now) will keep you filled in along the way!
Thanks Again.. don't forget, next Tuesday 8pm.. part two of Medical Emergency. I've left a comment on Ben's post below.
Whilst I'm writing, I'd like to quickly thank you all for your kind words and well wishes along the way. The blog is not only a great way for us to communicate Ben's progress but to also look back and recollect just how far he has come. Every time I see him now it's a shock, he's doing so well and is really a whole different person. It's still a road we're all traveling though and Ben (an avid blogger now) will keep you filled in along the way!
Thanks Again.. don't forget, next Tuesday 8pm.. part two of Medical Emergency. I've left a comment on Ben's post below.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Medical Emergency
Forgot to mention yesterday. The TV program, Medical Emergency, on Channel 7 at 8.00pm on Tuesday 20th June, features a woman undergoing a double lung transplant. Might be worth a look if you are interested.
Cheers,
Ben
Cheers,
Ben
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Latest Update
Another week has passed and I have to say I'm generally feeling great. Spent most of the week phoning or emailing friends and business associates letting them know I'm back on deck.
Thursday was check-up day at Prince Charles Hospital and all test results were fine. It's a long day because we're up at 5.15am for the hour and a half drive to Brisbane. Usually we don't leave the hospital until around 2.00pm. On the bright side, we got to meet some other transplantees and it's always interesting to swap stories and discuss progress especially at the different stages after transplant. One chap had a double lung, heart and liver transplant eleven weeks ago and he looked and felt terrific. Makes my little operation like a walk in the park. We're quickly becoming part of the "transplant family". Back next Wednesday (21st June) for a bronchoscopy and biopsy to make sure that there is no rejection. Apparently 40% of organ rejections do not show up in normal tests and a biopsy is necessary around once monthly to ensure things are OK.
Still building my strength and the hip is playing up but Dr Hopkins wants to delay hip replacement surgery for at least four months and ideally twelve months if possible. It's a juggling act between exercising and damaging the hip but we're doing OK at present. I am just so happy to be alive and well, a bit of pain is not really a bother.
If Nurse Cathy (dob 18th May) or the other Cathy (Cathy two degrees) is reading this I'd appreciate either contacting me on 0419 725 468 to let me know if she'll be in on Wednesday 21st or email at benbrian@iprimus.com.au. I'd love to catch up with all the wonderful staff in Intensive Care.
Will update again after the biopsy on Wednesday.
Take care,
Ben
Thursday was check-up day at Prince Charles Hospital and all test results were fine. It's a long day because we're up at 5.15am for the hour and a half drive to Brisbane. Usually we don't leave the hospital until around 2.00pm. On the bright side, we got to meet some other transplantees and it's always interesting to swap stories and discuss progress especially at the different stages after transplant. One chap had a double lung, heart and liver transplant eleven weeks ago and he looked and felt terrific. Makes my little operation like a walk in the park. We're quickly becoming part of the "transplant family". Back next Wednesday (21st June) for a bronchoscopy and biopsy to make sure that there is no rejection. Apparently 40% of organ rejections do not show up in normal tests and a biopsy is necessary around once monthly to ensure things are OK.
Still building my strength and the hip is playing up but Dr Hopkins wants to delay hip replacement surgery for at least four months and ideally twelve months if possible. It's a juggling act between exercising and damaging the hip but we're doing OK at present. I am just so happy to be alive and well, a bit of pain is not really a bother.
If Nurse Cathy (dob 18th May) or the other Cathy (Cathy two degrees) is reading this I'd appreciate either contacting me on 0419 725 468 to let me know if she'll be in on Wednesday 21st or email at benbrian@iprimus.com.au. I'd love to catch up with all the wonderful staff in Intensive Care.
Will update again after the biopsy on Wednesday.
Take care,
Ben
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Another week already?
Saturday 10th June 2006
I can't believe another week has passed since my last entry. Continuing to get stronger and used to doing normal things without the need for assistance or oxygen. Have had two visits to Prince Charles Hospital for check-ups and everything is working well. Next visit is Thursday 15th June and I'll probably have another bronchoscopy to "clear the drains" and check everything is OK inside. Should be allowed to drive again after that.
Starting to get that "what to do with myself" feeling. Need to put some plans together. Apart from my daily exercise routine and visits to shops etc., I really need to find something more challenging and constructive. Perhaps I'm too impatient.
Janyne and I are pondering the pros and cons of getting another dog. Concerns about being tied down vs the joy of having one around means we'll probably wait a month or two to see how the new lungs settle in and my hospital check-ups become less frequent.
Talk again next week.
Ben
I can't believe another week has passed since my last entry. Continuing to get stronger and used to doing normal things without the need for assistance or oxygen. Have had two visits to Prince Charles Hospital for check-ups and everything is working well. Next visit is Thursday 15th June and I'll probably have another bronchoscopy to "clear the drains" and check everything is OK inside. Should be allowed to drive again after that.
Starting to get that "what to do with myself" feeling. Need to put some plans together. Apart from my daily exercise routine and visits to shops etc., I really need to find something more challenging and constructive. Perhaps I'm too impatient.
Janyne and I are pondering the pros and cons of getting another dog. Concerns about being tied down vs the joy of having one around means we'll probably wait a month or two to see how the new lungs settle in and my hospital check-ups become less frequent.
Talk again next week.
Ben
Friday, June 02, 2006
Ben Says Thank You
So here I am, just 28 days after a double lung transplant, at home, at my laptop, trying to find the words to describe how I feel. How does one describe the transition from barely able to walk 15 metres with oxygen to being able to ride an exercise bike for 25 minutes twice a day and breathing normally afterwards?
How does one explain the elation at knowing there is a quality life ahead when only a few weeks ago I thought another month or two without a transplant and I wouldn’t survive?
More importantly, how does one thank all the people involved?
First, of course, is the organ donor. The concept of the gift of life, the willingness, on passing, to give over part of oneself so that a complete stranger may live, is so overwhelming that I cannot find words worthy enough to describe the humility, gratefulness and responsibility I feel. Humble because of all the people to whom the donor’s gift may have been directed, I was chosen; grateful, obviously; and responsible, because it is now my responsibility to do everything in my power to protect these lungs and allow them to do the very thing the donor intended.
To the family of this giver of life, you should be so proud of what your loved one has done. Even though I don’t know who it is, he/she will remain in my daily thoughts for the rest of my life. Every breath I take will be a reminder.
Second there is The Queensland Lung Transplant Unit. I hesitate to name names for fear of forgetting someone but in particular I want to thank Dr Peter Hopkins and Dr Keith McNeill and their team who, through following the progress of my illness, agreed just six short months ago to place me on the waiting list and whose care, attention and compassion have helped me through the past weeks and will do so for the rest of my life. Then, of course, the surgical team headed by Dr John Dunning, a man I haven’t even met yet (Janyne has), whose skills have made the transplant possible.
Third is the fabulous staff in the Prince Charles Hospital Intensive Care Unit. There are too many people to mention individually here but the doctors, nurses and wardstaff are so dedicated, so caring, in what must be a very difficult environment. Yet they are always cheerful and doing what they can to keep patients’ spirits up and assist in recovery even to the point of visiting or bringing in food for me. (Not that I have any complaints about the hospital food!!!!). Even the physiotherapists, regarded generally as hard task masters, are genuinely helping to improve strength and mobility which, in turn, aids recovery.
Then we have the ward staff, speech therapists and, of course, Eleanor, our social worker, with whom Janyne has had many a conversation (well, Janyne has had many a conversation with everybody at Prince Charles including visitors to other patients).
Thank you to my brother Tony who flew up from Melbourne for the day to celebrate my birthday. To all who sent well wishes, phoned, emailed or sent flowers. To the Directors and staff at Great Southern Plantations for their valued support.
Finally, I want to make special mention of my family. Paul and his strength and dedication and his innovative “blogspot” website which has kept you all so well informed of my progress and taken a heavy burden off Janyne’s shoulders. Jacqui, who has visited me almost daily despite a very heavy work schedule at the end of the financial year and who, with Andrew, has opened her home on many occasions so that Janyne and Paul wouldn’t have to travel back to the Gold Coast each night. To Jason, and to Melissa, who made the special trip from Melbourne to lend her love and support.
Finally, I want to thank the most important person in my life, my wife Janyne. Her courage, her positive attitude, her sense of humour and her strength in times of some very difficult periods have earned the respect of everyone she has touched including family, friends and hospital staff. This at a time when our beloved Selby had to be put down, and after four years of caring for me during my illness. There are no words that can adequately express my gratitude. But I will do everything I can to ensure that she shares in every aspect of our improved quality of life and that our years ahead will bring her the happiness she deserves.
Ben
How does one explain the elation at knowing there is a quality life ahead when only a few weeks ago I thought another month or two without a transplant and I wouldn’t survive?
More importantly, how does one thank all the people involved?
First, of course, is the organ donor. The concept of the gift of life, the willingness, on passing, to give over part of oneself so that a complete stranger may live, is so overwhelming that I cannot find words worthy enough to describe the humility, gratefulness and responsibility I feel. Humble because of all the people to whom the donor’s gift may have been directed, I was chosen; grateful, obviously; and responsible, because it is now my responsibility to do everything in my power to protect these lungs and allow them to do the very thing the donor intended.
To the family of this giver of life, you should be so proud of what your loved one has done. Even though I don’t know who it is, he/she will remain in my daily thoughts for the rest of my life. Every breath I take will be a reminder.
Second there is The Queensland Lung Transplant Unit. I hesitate to name names for fear of forgetting someone but in particular I want to thank Dr Peter Hopkins and Dr Keith McNeill and their team who, through following the progress of my illness, agreed just six short months ago to place me on the waiting list and whose care, attention and compassion have helped me through the past weeks and will do so for the rest of my life. Then, of course, the surgical team headed by Dr John Dunning, a man I haven’t even met yet (Janyne has), whose skills have made the transplant possible.
Third is the fabulous staff in the Prince Charles Hospital Intensive Care Unit. There are too many people to mention individually here but the doctors, nurses and wardstaff are so dedicated, so caring, in what must be a very difficult environment. Yet they are always cheerful and doing what they can to keep patients’ spirits up and assist in recovery even to the point of visiting or bringing in food for me. (Not that I have any complaints about the hospital food!!!!). Even the physiotherapists, regarded generally as hard task masters, are genuinely helping to improve strength and mobility which, in turn, aids recovery.
Then we have the ward staff, speech therapists and, of course, Eleanor, our social worker, with whom Janyne has had many a conversation (well, Janyne has had many a conversation with everybody at Prince Charles including visitors to other patients).
Thank you to my brother Tony who flew up from Melbourne for the day to celebrate my birthday. To all who sent well wishes, phoned, emailed or sent flowers. To the Directors and staff at Great Southern Plantations for their valued support.
Finally, I want to make special mention of my family. Paul and his strength and dedication and his innovative “blogspot” website which has kept you all so well informed of my progress and taken a heavy burden off Janyne’s shoulders. Jacqui, who has visited me almost daily despite a very heavy work schedule at the end of the financial year and who, with Andrew, has opened her home on many occasions so that Janyne and Paul wouldn’t have to travel back to the Gold Coast each night. To Jason, and to Melissa, who made the special trip from Melbourne to lend her love and support.
Finally, I want to thank the most important person in my life, my wife Janyne. Her courage, her positive attitude, her sense of humour and her strength in times of some very difficult periods have earned the respect of everyone she has touched including family, friends and hospital staff. This at a time when our beloved Selby had to be put down, and after four years of caring for me during my illness. There are no words that can adequately express my gratitude. But I will do everything I can to ensure that she shares in every aspect of our improved quality of life and that our years ahead will bring her the happiness she deserves.
Ben
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