Category: Toms Updates
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Wakey Wakey
Out of the operating room. Tom did excellent in surgery and the surgeons are pleased. Tom is on the vent and able to breathing on his own when pressure is reduced, which is a huge praise. The first attempt at waking Tom he had high respirations, so the medical team put him under sedation again.…
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Used/Like New Lungs
Surgery Update: Tom is currently in surgery at 11:50am as I write this post. The doctors finished with lung placement around 9:20am. The surgeon spoke with Tracy and said the new lungs looked healthy and had a great fit. The team noted the lungs are already functioning on their own. As a precaution they did…
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Surgery Journey
This morning at 3:45am Tom was brought down to the surgery center. “The lungs have arrived.” That statement alone means so much has happened to get to this point. It is the beginning of a new journey, a new way of life for many. Tracy braided his beard in hopes that he will not need…
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“The Call”
Today at Noon, Tom received “the call”. They have a match for his double lung donor. They nervously rushed to leave town and arrive at the hospital in their short arrival window of 3 hours. Upon arrival they have begun testing and any prep needed at this time. Hurry up and then wait….pray then wait…
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“The List”
Late last night we received word that Tom’s insurance had pre-approval of the double lung transplant. This news was overdue and a huge relief. Today around noon the transplant team placed Tom on “The List”. The transplant list is difficult to get on and just as difficult to stay on. Due to Tom’s condition and…
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The Spoon Theory
One of the best ways to describe life for someone living with a dabiliting disease. I never understood before what others may be going through until that is it happend to me, and I just couldnt explain to others what life was like. All I could do was tell people that I didnt feel good…
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Testing…testing. Results.
To become a lung transplant candidate you have to pass rigorous testing for approval onto the list. Antibodies, swallow test, kidney function, cancer screenings, upper and lower GI evaluation, heart catherization right and left, dental clearance, fully immunized, CAT scans, x-rays, and lots of blood work (Tom says “gallons”). Testing was not only for lung…
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The first day of the rest of My Life
When the Doctor looked up from the testing results that were on his computer and came back to me with .. You need a lung transplant , My current world ended and my new reality began.It has been a fairly long road to get me to the point where Ohio State finally accepted me. Days…