 Alpha’s
Web Sites
Alpha
Atlas
Any
of these early warning
signs may signal his presence. This guide may help you to identify
a possible oncoming infection and afford you the opportunity to
seek out the appropriate treatment.
Design by GatorGrafix
Lung
Survey Part 8 |
Note:
Readers
should always consult their physicians before taking any action
(or inaction) which may affect their health or involve decision
making.
The
Surgery and Just After
“I
had my TX at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N C. on Jan.
31, 1999 . . . there was a blue moon that night.” : )
“Hallucinations right after [the] operation.”
“Everything with the transplant happened so fast....I just
remember getting the required shower with all that yucky cleaner
they give you . . . the blood draws, talking on the phone to my
family . . . next thing I knew, they came in, said it’s
a go and we went.” : )
“My surgery was approximately 3 ½ hours long from start
to finish! I was done just as my family was arriving.”
“The morning after my transplant they pulled a treadmill
into the ICU room and made me get on it and walk . . . ventilator
and all!”
“I have a hole in the new lung back to operating room to
fix it.”
“Closing airways . . . they put in three stents.”
“Scar tissue growing, they had to do laser surgery. I was
in and out the same day.”
“I don’t really remember too much about the first
couple of days. . . . I was in ICU for ten days (I thought it
was three days ) . . . on a ventilator. I had trouble getting
off of it because my new lung was having trouble inflating at
first. I don’t remember any pain associated with the transplant
itself. My chest drains leaked and the fluid burnt my back . .
. it made me raw. ( I got impacted! Three giant enemas later,
they fixed that! That was painful!).”
The
ICU and Being on the Vent
“To
say the least, I hated ICU!! I did hallucinate in there, as
is common from what I am told, plus I did have nightmares!”
“I hated the ventilator, #1 because I couldn’t talk.
: ) I did not hurt, but it was uncomfortable.”
“I figured mask or no mask, my hands would be free to
scratch and pantomime.”
“Not so . . . [m]ost of the time on the vent my hands
were restrained and if they were free if I attempted to reach
for my face then some nurse, Dr, or my husband would grab them.
. . . Also I was just too weak to attempt. Usually you will
get off the vent within 6–12 hrs after transplant . .
. that’s ideal. It doesn’t happen every time and,
if you are one of those who have to remain on the vent, you
will be too incapacitated to move much. Most all your needs
will be met by staff so it’s important that you can convey
your needs.”
“Have a sturdy legal pad and marker pen to write with
when you’re in ICU on the vent . . . you won’t be
ABLE to talk and will probably be drugged but you WILL want
to communicate so have whoever’s watching out for you
there with the ‘talking’ implements. OR make up
‘flash cards’ . . . some recommendations:
Hot
Cold
Pain
Nurse
Dry Lips
Leave Me Alone
Yes
No
SCRATCH
O pen Door Please
Close Door Please
Head up, Head down, Feet up, Feet down
SUCTION (“Suction” is the
official medical term for “Please remove the accumulated secretions
in my throat that are gagging me to death.”)
“I
thought about that and decided to type out a list of things that
she could point to should something be bothering her like cleaning
solution or too hot, too cold or, wants her hair brushed, face
washed, bathroom etc. At least this might help her to at least
be able to point. This makes me think that we would all be smart
if we had our own list typed out of various problems that could
arise while hospitalized and not being able to speak.”
“Indicate yes, no, and so on by eye movements up and down
yes; left to right no; circling help, something is wrong; straight
ahead. I’m in pain; close left eye; blink left eye; close
right eye; blink right eye; and so on and so on. There are a lot
of combinations possible. and then there are shoulder raises,
elbow raises, foot flexes, knee bends. Almost any deliberate movement
of any unrestrained body part can have a meaning and be understood
if it is predefined prior to surgery along with raising the fingers
one at a time or in combinations (now you stop thinking about
those favorite American signals—naughty girl) and given
to your caregiver.”
“I have very little actual recollection of the time I spent
on the ventilator. From what I do remember I think you all are
making a mountain out of a mole hill.”
|
