Journal Entry 22: Climbing to the Top

Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 30, 2010

We celebrated New Year's Eve with our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren at Jean and Kevin's home in Garden Grove. Jean and Kevin hosted a fun New Year's Eve party and prepared a Prime Rib dinner for all of us on New Year's Day! It was a very special New Year's for Larry and I and it was hard not to be emotional. I kept saying to myself ... I made it to 2010!!

Sunday, January 3rd we headed up to Big Bear. We stayed with our friends Bing and Valinda Dawson. The house they rented had three levels. I managed to make it to the top of the stairs carrying a couple of pillows and my suitcase! I'm not bragging ... I'm just amazed at what I'm able to do! I definitely want to thank the nurses at the Sharp Cardiac Rehabilitation Center for all they've done for me. My workouts on the treadmill, bike, elliptical and weight-lifting are really paying off. When I first started my Cardiac Rehab classes in July 2009, the cardiac nurses wanted me to get on the treadmill and I said are you serious?? Back then, it was hard for me to believe I could even get on a treadmill ... now look ... I'm going up several flights of stairs and not even thinking about it! A great big "SHOUT OUT" to all of you at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center for all your dedication and support. You can tell you love what you do ... your patients feel it and we reap the benefits!

On Monday, Larry went snowboarding with Bing and Valinda's daughter, Jacque, and nephew, Jacob. Blake and Bianca went tubing while we watched them fly down the hill several times. Who knows, maybe I'll hit the slopes sometime this year??? I'm starting to feel the itch. Before we left that evening, Valinda made some homemade chili and we had a nice warm fire to take the chill off (20 degrees ... brrrr)! Our New Year's weekend was over and we headed back down the mountain. It was a quick trip but a lot of fun!

Wednesday, it was back to Cardiac Rehab. My niece, Michelle, went with me and she could see how much I've accomplished since August. Hopefully she'll see more improvement when she comes back from college in June.

Thursday, January 7th I had an Endoscopy done at Sharp's Outpatient Pavilion. For several months, I've been experiencing a "raspy" sounding voice. They're trying to figure out why this is happening. I should have the results sometime this month when I see Dr. Politoske.

Thursday, January 14th we met with our friends Mary Ann and Dave and celebrated Dave's birthday at Cafe La Maze. He was totally shocked when we showed up. I love surprises!

Friday, Kristi, my transplant coordinator, called me with my lab results. She sounded so excited for me. She said that my labs were great! She told me that since I started the new anti-rejection drug, Rapamune, that my kidney function is "normal." So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I continue to do well on this new medication.

Friday evening, Larry and I picked up my dad and we attended the Southwestern College basketball game. They won their game that evening and have a perfect record! Our friend John Cosentino is the head coach and his son Anthony is now playing for him. I can remember when Anthony was just a baby and I held him in my arms — now he is over 6 feet tall and an awesome basketball player! Go Jaguars!

Sunday, January 17th we had some family over and watched the Charger game. Looks like we won't be going to the Super Bowl. I guess we'll have to see what next year brings ... keepin' the Charger faith!

January 18th and 19th I had appointments with Dr. Jaski and Dr. Politoske. Both doctors had positive reports. Dr. Jaski said all my labs looked great. Dr. Politoske said my endoscopy didn't show anything wrong and that he thinks over time my voice will go back to a normal sound.

Saturday, January 23rd, Denise, Chuck, Larry and I went to see the movie Avatar! Wow ... that was really something! We really enjoyed the movie. It was truly a different experience.

January 26th, I had an appointment with Enga, N.P., regarding my lung function. She thought it would be a good idea to retest me and see if there has been a change in my lungs. I was tested on Thursday the 28th and Enga called me back a few days later. She said I still need improvement, but there was a significant change from my last test. So I'll continue doing my treatments — they seem to be helping me a lot.

Saturday, January 30th, we took our granddaughter and her friend to "Disney on Ice" at the Sports Arena. It was so much fun watching the kids get excited seeing their favorite Disney characters! The smile on our granddaughter's face just made my heart jump for joy! Follow more of Debbie's heart transplant journey.

For More Information
To learn more about the heart transplant program at Sharp Memorial Hospital, please contact the program directly by calling 858-939-3831, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 3:30 pm.

To learn more or to find a cardiologist affiliated with Sharp, please call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-824-4277) or go to Find a Doctor.