Mick McKellar Update--Day +70
A Long Day
Our long day began at 5:30 AM, leaving at 6:15, as the intrepid walkers trekked to Charleton Lab A for my blood tests. Strong winds, gray light, temperatures in the low 30's made the journey intense and a bit bleak.
Charleton LA on a Monday morning is an incredibly busy place. Patients seeing their doctor in the afternoon, have the blood drawn there early enough so results are available by consultation time. This morning was no exception, and as usual my tests required fasting and had to be done before insulin injection. Normally, I have to wait a little longer because of my Hickman Catheter (ports directly in the heart require special care) from which they draw my blood. This morning, they called me within five minutes. In and out...wow!
We decided to head back to the transplant house, finish my medications, test blood glucose, inject insulin, and have a quick breakfast, because my next appointment was 8:45 AM -- a pharmacy coordinator visit to go over and review my medications. Thus began journey number two, only now I had a backpack full of all my current medications -- they ask you to bring the original bottles, boxes, and containers -- and the frigid wind was keenly felt as I shuffled along in what for me is high gear. We made it on time.
My next appointment was 12:15 PM, so we braced against the wind on our way back to the transplant house for a little rest, a little warmth, and a little lunch. We both fell asleep and therefore, lunch was a quick affair, followed by our third trek through the Rochester wind tunnel canyons.
We arrived on time for consultations with my Transplant Coordinator and my doctor. The news was generally good. My liver functions are pretty much back to normal. My rash is nearly non-existent. However, my kidney's are still having a little trouble that could be caused by rather high levels of one of the medications I take. Still no results on the second Chimera test. They reduced my Prednisone dosage from 30 MG (3 10MG Tabs per day) to 25 MG, which meant a visit to the pharmacy for 5MG Tabs.
Double whammy
First thing I noticed were the signs all around the pharmacy window announcing their new computer system and thanking us all for our patience with delays. The second thing I discovered upon offering up my new prescription was that they had no 5 MG tabs on site and would have some sent over from wherever they store them.
It required an hour and a half to get the pills there and somehow get them into the new computer system. I spent some quality time with my nook. When we finally stepped outside, it was 4:00 PM and the walk back to the transplant house, brutally breezy, cuttingly cold, seemed longer.
Batteries low
Marian endures such things well, however my batteries have little reserve and the last leg of the third trek was painfully slow and laborious. However, mollified by a good meal and ensconced in the recliner in our room, I realize that the exercise was good for me and the exercise in patience at the pharmacy was yet another lesson to absorb and reflect upon.
I have also been reading letters, cards, and messages that came today and enjoyed them immensely. Thank you all for your communications, although some of news was alarming and sad, without you our connection to home grows weaker. You are strength and hope for me and for Marian.
God bless and good night,
Mick