This Monday April 20,2026, I will be having my 4th year post transplant checkup. The first year I learned how important it is to take tacrolimus/prograf as close to every 12 hours as possible or else I would trigger warnings of a rejection.
The 2nd year I got a lesson on what it means to be immune suppressed. One sty in my right eye became 11 stys total in both eyes even with regular advised care and meds. Heavy duty antibiotics cleared that up.
I live in AZ and got Valley Fever, mold spores in the soil and air on super windy days. So my 3rd year, I saw the impact of two lifelong meds that have a delicate balance with each other (tacrolimus and fluconazole).
All the rules we are given re foods, herbs, and supplements to avoid; cooking proteins to well done; no alcohol; and other rules become second nature in the way I live my life. I dance, train with weights, enjoy time with friends, take art classes, travel, and yes I nap. Life, this second life, is good and well worth all the rules in keeping it that way.
I hope this helps. Barbara