PDK
Forum Replies Created
-
I am post transplant 4/2015. My progression was a lengthy one, and after being listed waited two years for the transplant. During the 5 years, I had several 6 minute walk tests at different locations. Mayo Jacksonville, National Jewish Health – Denver, Tampa General Hospital, and Local Pulmonologist where I live. All followed different protocols! Mayo had me walk till my sats dropped below 80 then stopped. National Jewish Health had me walk towing oxygen behind me and as the sats dropped below 88 turned up the 02 till I normalized above 92 (still walking) and kept increasing oxygen as needed to maintain it as the walk continued. Tampa General (where I was transplanted) had you walk till below 90 or so, then stopped you till you recovered, then started up again till a total of 6 minutes passed. Mayo and National Jewish Health had a circuit long enough that you did not have to stop and turn around going the other way. None tested on a treadmill or treadmill with incline. Therefore, the distance covered in 6 minutes was radically different depending on the protocol, and comparisons would not be useful. TGH was useful because I had 6 of them at one facility using the same methodology.
-
I had a double lung transplant the end of April 2015 after waiting 23 months, however I had 5 dry runs during that time as well. Just bad luck with the matches and donor lung condition. The breathing tube had been removed and I had a cannula with 2 liters of air. I was sitting up in the bed when my Doc came in. He looked at the monitor which was showing 98% saturation and told the nurse to disconnect it. Everyone was astounded when it jumped to 99% on Room Air! Well, he said, don’t need that anymore.
The candidate screening, waiting and jumping out of your shoes every time the phone rings – is this “The Call”, the surgery, post op protocol at your center, and subsequent recovery, pills are all part of the package. I will add that exercise is crucial to recovery and longevity. Your team will monitor everything.
Getting a transplant is like getting on a horse for the first time. It does not take very long before you realize the horse is in charge.
-
Charlene is right on. I am 3 years post transplant and still wear a mask in public, or outdoors when I walk/exercise. There is no downside to being cautious, because as you know an exacerbation of your condition is hard to come back from.
