It’s been a year since my transplant - and what a wonderful year it’s been.  I really never dreamed I would have the health I enjoy today.  In the final days just before my transplant, I was on 16 liters of oxygen just to do the most basic things.  Today, everything I prayed for is taking place in my life and then some.  I only wish I could express the spiritual changes that take place before, during, and after transplant.  It’s knowledge that can only be gained through experience.  If you are waiting, you must have faith.  

After being released from the hospital (I spent the first month with my daughter) I was determined to find out how far I could go.  Within three months I was doing repairs on a pick-up truck I got a good buy on.  (My Dodge Ram / Hemi got re-possessed while I was sick and out of work.)  As some people I know would say ” that’s OK “.  But I felt like I had a lot of catching up to do.  Sometimes I push a little hard - always have.  

I started fishing again.  Anytime I felt like it.  I’ve been to Lake Lockloosa in Cross Creek, Newmans Lake, Withlacoochee River, St. Johns River, Suwannee River, Wacassa River, Tampa Bay, and all over the Cedar Key area.  Not to mention the numerous creeks between Fowlers Bluff where I live and the Gulf.  It’s been awesome. Enough about my ego! To think I was planning my eulogy not long ago.  

It was the emotions of my children and some loving words from a new friend that I made the decision to pursue a transplant.  I promised myself I would do what ever it takes, after that it would be in Gods hands. I got my transplant so I could LIVE. One of the main reasons was to see my grandchildren grow up. We visit often and we have fun. My daughters are great. They make it happen!! We all get together on a regular basis. I really didn’t think I would make it to Breanna’s graduation (my youngest).  In reality, I was there for the graduation and all the festivities.  What fun we all had! 

After six months I decided it was time to get a part time job - so I did.  Within one week of hunting, I landed a job in the paint and hardware department at Walmart.  I was actually a little worried about passing the mandatory drug test but that ended up not being a problem.  After working there for two months, I found a job I was more suited for at a lumber company.  (The job was ideal but I just got recently got laid off.) 

Well enough out of me . . . for now.  Hunting season is around the corner and I have to finish the tree stand I’m building.  Thank you for your support.  God Bless my Donor and Family.  Live, love, laugh. 

Kent

First trip out in over a year. After spending several days getting the boat in order, Brooke and I went on a shake down. The boat preformed well, everything worked. (thank God) We even managed a beautiful Red….my largest ever!

It’s been 4 weeks since my release from the hospital.

Tommorrow, Monday 11/23, I will go in for a series of tests. Blood work, x-rays, 6 minute walk (mini stress test), and a breathing test. On Tuesday I will be evaluated and tested by the phyisical therapist that has been monitoring and coaching me in the gym for the last month to determine what progress I have made. And on Wednesday, I will see the team of doctors and get their evaluation of the whole thing. 

I feel really good.   So far I have been one of the fortunate ones.  I continue to work and make progress every day.  If I get the OK from the docs, I’ll move back to my place and start driving again. I’m ready for the next phase. It’s been a joy staying with Brooke and JD; they have watched over me, fed me, and made sure I made every appointment every day.  Paige,April,and Bre rotated weeks and came up to look after me and drive me around as well.  It’s been a lot of work for everyone.  Now I look forward to doing for them.  Maybe some household  projects or better than that a fishing trip or two or three. . . I’m ready.

Last week I took an 8 hour class in health, nutrition, and diabetes.  I really dreaded going. Guess what?  I enjoyed it and learned a lot.  I learned in another group how we can prevent self imposed misery.  We can also prevent self imposed health issues just by living healthy.  Its all spelled out for us. 

I’d like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!  I know April and family are going to come up. We’ll be having dinner at John and Sharon’s (their Mom’s house).  April and I are planning our first N. Florida Seafood boil for Friday or Saturday.  Crab, clams, corn, red potatos, shrimp, sausage,etc. Hopefully, I’ll catch a Redfish or two and a few blueclaws to go with it.  

As always,I remain greatful to God and your God and all my friends and family.   

Kent aka Dad, Grandpa

Before I say a word, I promise to never,never, take my life for granted. I was released from the hospital this week and staying with my daughter Brooke and her husband JD. at there home in High Springs. It has been a very busy week and I’m tired. Lot’s of working out getting back my strength and weight. I got down to 136 lbs. I’m just getting used to the daily routine;checking blood sugar,Lot’s of medications,and a daily PT routine. I volunteered for a study. I will get more hands on attention and maybe help someone else at some point. I want to start the new beginning of my blog by simply saying with all my heart THANK YOU to all my friends and family without the support I don’t know if I would have made it this far. To all that traveled to the hospital and sent cards and presents and phone calls I was truly amazed and grateful.The list of visitors could only have come from my back ground. Use your imagination. My daughters were ALL there. Even Peg from NY came to see me. Along with John and Coleen and a beautiful Angel. Brooke has been the best official caregiver a person could have. More about her later. Again thank you ALL until later. As always. Live,Love,Laugh     Kent  aka dad,grandpa

Everything has been progressing on “schedule” with Kent’s recovery from the surgery.  He is still getting used to breathing with a new pair of lungs and doing a great job.  I got an update yesterday that he is now completely off of O2!  Prior to the transplant, Dad was on 6 liters of oxygen per minute….which was down to 2 liters before removing completely yesterday.

Now that he is breathing “regular” air again with no issues the last step will be removing the remaining chest tube.  Once this drainage tube is removed and Kent is monitored a while longer, he will be ready to go home.  There will be hard work ahead with physical therapy 5 days a week - but we all know he is not opposed to doing the work! 

It has been 4 days since my last post….and everything is still going well….more and more progress every day.  He is down to just 2 drainage / chest tubes and an IV / picc line which will stay inserted for the duration of his hospital stay.

Kent was transferred from the ICU on Friday, October 2, to the heart-lung recovery unit on the 11th floor.  While the ICU nurses and entire staff were extremely attentive, moving out of the “pod” was a welcome change of scenery.  With a little more space and a daily physical therapy, doctor visits, etc., he is getting  into more of a routine.

He has been getting “bronched” every few days (including today) which is to be expected post lung transplant, and something Dr. Baz will continue to do throughout Kent’s hospital stay.  As described by one of the transplant coordinators, he is looking for possible “signs of smoke” before a fire and taking them out of the equation.  These extra precautious help identify potential red flags before giving them a chance to surface themselves as an “issue”.

Paige went up to see Dad last weekend and she too said how great he looks….which has been the consensus.  It really is amazing how quickly we have seen the recovery progress.  She had a nice visit and even brightened up his room with some fun Halloween decorations.   

As Brooke would say, “Its all good”! 

Thank you to all of our family and friends for your thoughtful words and well wishes!

My Dad asked me to update his blog and let you all know how greatful he is for all of your communication and concern - calls, messages, notes, posts, comments, and more.  He is hopeful that tomorrow he will be moving to his room in the recovery unit and will be able to start catching up with everyone! 

9/29  6:00 AM

Kent got his breathing tube removed yesterday, late morning! 

Dr. Baz and the team did a “bronch” before removing the tube.  It is an exploratory process where they put a tube with camera down into the lung area to check for any potential issues.  They are also able to suction / remove some of the fluid that may have collected over the last week.  There was nothing Dr. Baz saw that would prevent him from removing the breathing tube at that point.  Removing the tube was a smooth process and Kent has been doing great over yesterday and last night.  What an awesome feeling it must be for him to be breathing on his own - with a NEW pair of lungs!

He started out with ice chips and moved to water later in the day.  Kent is now on a liquid diet / menu and will soon ease into solids.  His charm is dialed up to max levels - which has gotten him an endless supply of ice cream and Popsicles (his favorite) from the nurses.  Brooke said that his voice is still pretty rhaspy since the tube was in for so long - so he is keeping talking to a minimal for now. 

Being that he is off of the ventilator, Kent will be moving out of the ICU over the next day or so up to the 11th floor.  This is where he will spend the next few weeks recovering and doing daily physical therapy.  He is in great spirits and all smiles!   

9/28

When I went to go visit Dad yesterday, he looked much better than the day before.  They took out more drainage tubes yesterday morning, and the IV drips are dwindiling (down to 3 or 4 from 12+).  He also got out of bed and walked around his “pod” for a little bit yesterday.

The breathing tube is still in - and will be coming out today unless there are any “issues”.  The O2 concentration has been weaned down to 50% (from 70%).  He is really handling it well from what I can see on the outside….but would “die for a cold drink of water or juice”.  I got a better understanding of how stressful it is for him being on the ventilator.  With the breathing tube, he has had to concentrate on taking each breath - something that is automatic for the rest of us.  It is like training yourself to use the chest muscles / lungs again.