This and That and Talk - My Transplant

@jeanne5009 I’m sorry about your heart issues, you surely do not need that on top of cirrhosis. I hope it does not turn out to be too serious.
Have a great time with your daughter. I love it when either my daughter or son visit.
JK

@rosemarya Please take good care of yourself!

Rosemary, I hope your fever is not because of anything significant and that you’ll feel better soon.
I’ve had some stressful days with my husband in the hospital because of a blockage in his small intestine. He’s been home for 2 1/2 weeks and finally is close to recovered. Last Sunday our son-in-law had a heart attack. On Sunday night our little dog Bella died after finding out a week earlier that she had kidney disease, at a cost of almost $500.
The good news is that today we leave for Rochester Mayo for my one year checkup. My blood work has been coming back normal and I feel good so I’m not expecting any problems, but there’s still some anxiety. My donor daughter will come with to have her blood work and urinalysis and will keep my husband, who has dementia, company. 🤞

@tbirdmunchkin @glinda, I am so happy to hear from you!. Happy belated 8th Heart Transplant Anniversary! I know that you have had a difficult 2018, and I hope and pray that 2019 will be filled with new blessings for you. You are fortunate to have found good support with your counselor, too.
I understand the inability to take anti inflamatory meds, but do you know whether the pain will ever become less severe? My experience is that I take longer to heal since my transplant, like when I get a sprain, or currently, plantar fasciitis. (which is nothing in comparison to what you have)
I thank you for reaching out and sending your update. Drop in when you feel up to it.

Hugs, Rosemary

Hi Rosemary, hope you are feeling better, I do take longer to heal myself since the transplant the doctors tell me the pain will ease up eventually but all I can do is wait exercising at the YMCA helps I find and as long as I don't sit for a long time or stand for a long time it's not do bad the pain is better when I'm moving sleeping is the hardest for me as I can't straighten my right leg out all the way it is always slightly bent even when I walk which is only about 10minutes at a time the walking I mean it's not easy but I won't and don't give up on myself I hope to be able to walk at least 10 thousand steps again some day but not up or down hill as I can't even do stairs except for one step at a time. It wouldn't be do bad but I'm not allowed to live by myself now because of the risk of falling my transplant team won't let me so I have been staying with a friend since the accident and my friend drives me crazy sometimes as always telling me what I can and cannot do but I have to admit that I have pushed myself to far a couple of times and severely over did things when my body isn't ready for 2 to 3 hour standing especially in a line. So I guess my friend has the right to boss me around for my own good. Take care
Always glinda

@danab - Thanks for your reply. I probably tend to get over anxious and concerned about temperature because I have on several occassion experienced sudden spites that required treatment.
Wow, a week in the hospital. -And to think that I dreaded my temperature! Actually I was hospitalized once with sepsis, and I will not forget the fear and the ER and ambulance ride. It is a memory that my husband and I never want to relive. That is why I easily get overly concerned. - I hope that you get good results.

I am happy that you are able to get out and enjoy your life! I imagine that your golf and working out are double blessings since transplant. I have no experience with heart transplant, but from what I have seen and read, you must have been unable to do those things.before. Did you play golf before your heart transplant? I would bet that you enjoy it more now? Dare I ask if your score has improved?😉

Have you met @tbirdmunchkin @glinda who posted recently? She also is a heart transploant recipient.

@tbirdmunchkin @glinda, @cmael, @hopeful33250, @contentandwell, @jeanne5009, @danab
I almost forgot to send my update-I'm back to normal today.
Thanks for your input. I have not seen any talk of slight fevers. But I do get alarmed due to a couple in my history that were cause for concern.

@glinda Hi, I read your post with interest relating to arthritis and pain following trauma, as I have experienced similar issues. The "no anti inflammatory" medication ban is a tough one and I have looked extensively for alternatives. Some of the things that have worked for me are: #1 heat/cold, alternating or whichever works best for you. It helps with the arthritis either way. Cold reduces the inflammation and heat gives relief. My mother will only use the heat and gets the most relief from that. I alternate and use #2.
#2 Pressure. I have several rice filled pillows/pads/tubes that can be chilled or heated (seconds in the microwave and watch heat level carefully) that I place strategically.
#3 definitely exercise daily but only to the point of feeling it plus one so that you do not overdo. seven 7 - 100 step walks equals 700 steps. they do not have to be done all at once. make sure to go lightly if you are having a bad day, go - but lightly. this is a marathon, not a dash.
#4 use cushions/pillows/pads to position yourself for the best posture and relief when sitting and standing. I use a recliner a lot and have a memory foam mattress, they work well for me with my stabilizing adaptions.
#5 If you like cooking you can break prep steps into several sessions. I sort into chopping/slicing veges, protein prep, and spice prep. I use carrots, onions, celery, green peppers, cabbage and ginger often. You may have to do only one at a time. That is okay. Get them all washed up, slice, wash cutting board and knife and set aside for your next session. It took me 4 days the first time I was able to put together Corned Beef and Cabbage. This counts as standing and a little walking. It also works on your hand/eye coordination and balance.
#6 Massage from a massage therapist. I like deep tissue, but find the kind that works best for you. It is a treat and helps with soothing those angry muscles that you want to heal faster than fast.
#7 You might want to try pressure point massage or acupuncture. Pressure point from the deep tissue massage works for me but the acupuncture did not.
#8 If you are in physical therapy, you might ask about dry needling. it is similar to acupuncture but goes deeper and works on breaking up scar tissue and engaging your neurosensors. That really helped me the most and really kickstarted my physical therapy.
That is a lot, and just suggestions from my experiences. Try what you like and I certainly hope you find relief and forward advancement you need and are looking for. Blessings

@rosemarya I am so glad you are feeling better. I know, almost anything can be a scare for us post-transplant patients. My husband really gets concerned.
When you had fevers in the past that did end up being cause for concern, how high were they?
JK

@cmael My goodness, you have had more than your share of problems recently. I am very sorry about your husband, son-in-law, and dog. My daughter's little dog also has kidney disease and has been getting progressively worse. She was diagnosed about two years ago and on medications but is now taking a turn for the worse. She is my daughter's baby, and I know how difficult it will be for her when she passes.
I hope your appointment at Mayo goes well, it sounds as if it should. I actually sort of look forward to my yearly appointment at MGH, it reassures me that all is OK.
Let us know how things turn out at Mayo.
JK