I must further add that you will need to have a positive outlook towards transplantation to be seriously considered and you will also need a supportive partner or relative: I was lucky I had Mary who has stood by me and supported me both pre and post transplant, her support has meant a lot to me.

 

 

What happened the first few weeks after transplant?

 

 

 

This is a slightly more in depth explanation of what happens for the first few weeks after transplant.

For me there were lots of procedures that had to be carried out, but as we are all individuals what was necessary for me may well not be the case for everyone, this is purely a personal account of what happened to me.

I was in intensive care  for about eight days where I was hooked up to many instruments including heart monitors, a ventilator, an epidural, a blood transfusion, saline drip, five chest drains and a central line in my neck for feeding administering drugs etc, I also had a catheter fitted for urine collection.

When I came out of intensive care physiotherapy started properly and I was encouraged to do simple exercises and to walk a little.

It wasn’t long before I was given a bath. And when you are lowered into the bath on a hoist it sure feels like you are going to break in half....My operation site was from armpit to armpit and it felt uncomfortable to say the least!

Next came the bronchoscopy, as I had never had a bronch before I was a little apprehensive about it, but I have to say that it wasn’t anything to worry about.

Because I had experienced two brain haemorrhages I had to have a C.A.T. scan this was easy and caused no anxiety whatsoever.

It wasn’t long before they discovered that I had a lot of fluid building up in my lungs, this had to be drawn off, a procedure that was very unpleasant : firstly you are given a local anaesthetic in your back: then  A large needle is inserted directly into the lung and fluid is drawn off . I must say that for me the whole procedure was hit and miss with many unsuccessful attempts before finally managing to draw off around a pint of fluid.

During this period stitches were taken out, drains removed, also various venflons and my urine collection catheter I was now able to move freely with nothing to impede me, other than the fact that I still had paralysis down my right side.

By this time I was self medicating and doing my own spirometry on a daily basis.

It was now time for my pep talk and my discharge from Harefield