Some encouraging news

I have some encouraging news. My Rheumatologist spoke with Dr. Richard Burt at Northwestern Medical a few weeks ago. They went over my case and some of my numbers. Dr. Burt said "my head says "NO" but my heart says "YES". Yesterday my husband, Gary, received a call from my transplant coordinator, Dr. Friedman, who spoke to Dr. Burt also about my progress etc. He got a positive response from Dr. Burt and Dr. Burt did not say "NO". The plan is to get another right heart cath in June and hopefully the number will be lower. Dr. Friedman has also submitted the paperwork to Cornell Med Ctr. in NYC for a transplant program. Dr. Burt told him he would help him with the process. Dr. Friedman was optomistic!! and so are we.

Gary is outside working on the lawn again today. He went Home Depot to get seed he bought me hotdogs! (junk food) Oh boy were they good!! The sun is shining and I hope to get out later when it warms up a little. Yesterday afternoon I climbed up the steps to the porch and sat out while Gary worked on the lawn. It was so great to be on our porch and outside.

I will keep you posted. Michele

Eye exam on a beauitful day

Well I finally got to the eye doctor to have my eyes checked. Need new reading glasses. It was a project as Michael Falcone, my eye doctor does not have handicaped access so Gary and Michael had to lift my chair up the stairs. I am able to walk down though. I ordered new frames so I will be just smashing. It was a beauitful day, 70 degrees and good to get out of the house. Spring may be my favorite, season with all the beauitful flowers and flowering trees.

I have been feeling pretty good the past few days. The only problem is my feet are swelling so I am trying to keep them up. The doctor wants me to walk as much as possible even if I get short of breath. This is to strengthen the leg muscles. I also have to do arm excerises to strengthen the shoulder muscles. These will help with the shortness of breath, when the muscles get stronger it will not take so much effort to move.

Gary is busy working on a project in my office area. He is in and out the side door and the fresh air is great. The sun is shining and it is another beauitful day!!

Well anyway, that is all for now. Michele

Will Spring ever come?

We are having another cool day for April again and tomorrow it may be even colder. The Forsythia is in bloom and the Daffodils are out. I love the Spring flowering trees and flowers.

Not much has changed with me. I am now continuously on 5 liters and trying to walk around more to strengthen my legs. I went down to 40 mg prednisone per day yesterday. The plan is to stay there for 2 weeks and then down to 30 mg/day. As long as the breathing continues to improve we will lower the prednisone. After 30/mg day the decrease will be much slower. The lower the prednsione the stronger I will get. I am staying very optimistic but I have my good and bad days. Next week I will meet with the transplant doctor here in NJ and hopefully he will have some good news.

Enjoy the Spring. Love, Michele