Journal Entry 25: Looking Back at All I've Accomplished

April 1-30, 2010

Thursday, April 1st Leslie called me about the results of my Echo and Labs. She said everything looked good and my kidney function was normal again. My ankles are still retaining fluid, so we decided to increase my diuretic to two times a day for a while. We'll see how that works for me.

Friday, April 2nd my niece Michelle went with me to my Cardiac Rehab class. Afterwards, we met up with our friend Mike for lunch at the

Debbie and Larry enjoy a trip to the desert.

Cheesecake Factory. We had a fabulous lunch (including cheesecake) and were able to catch up on Michelle's school year and all her activities. What a treat — thank you Mike!

Tonight our daughter, Nichole and her family will be arriving from Palm Desert to celebrate the Easter weekend with us. We're really excited to have the whole family together for Easter.

Saturday, April 3rd we had a wonderful day with Kevin, Nichole, Leila and Shelby. We took a walk to the local park. It was so much fun to play and run around with the grandchildren at the park. Sometimes I have to pinch myself...I'm actually doing these activities with my grandchildren.

April 4th, Easter Sunday, the Easter Bunny found his way to our house and our granddaughters were elated with their Easter Baskets and the Easter Egg hunt in the back yard. The girls looked so adorable in their Easter dresses. Later in the afternoon we had about 40 family/friends at my cousin's house for Easter dinner. The grandchildren sure make the holidays extra special!

Sunday night I came home and packed for my trip to Las Vegas with my girlfriend Bobbi and my Dad, Frank. Monday morning we were up at 3:30. Arrived at the Golden Nugget Hotel about 10:30 am. We love staying in downtown Las Vegas.

April 6th we drove to the Las Vegas strip. Started off at Caesars Palace. Did some shopping and headed across the street to Harrah's. Went to Toby Keith's Restaurant/Bar. Went back downtown for a show at the Golden Nugget Hotel. We saw Gordie Brown who's a comedian/impressionist. He was absolutely hilarious. We laughed so hard that night. Before we knew it, the night was over and we were on our way home.

Sunday, April 11th my cousins Susan and Alan, Larry and I took a drive to the desert to see the wildflowers. We thought it might be a little to late in the season, but we did see a lot of beautiful flowers in bloom.

Tuesday, April 13th, Kristi my transplant coordinator called me with concern regarding my Cholesterol. My level is very high and I need to be more selective in the foods I'm eating. I'll have it checked again in a couple of weeks and see if there is any change.

Debbie takes a walk with her family.

Thursday, April 15th I met my friend Jennifer for lunch. We were celebrating her birthday. Jennifer and I have been friends for 41 years. She's been with me through good times and difficult times. She's a true friend and she's definitely worth celebrating!

Friday, April 16th I left on a women's retreat for the weekend with my church. The retreat was held at Whispering Winds in Julian. We couldn't have asked for better weather! I was one of the speakers for the retreat and my topic was the "Power of Prayer" and how prayer was an important part of my life. It was a very inspiring and spiritual retreat.

Wednesday, April 21st I had labs drawn this morning. For some reason my lower legs, ankles & feet have a lot of swelling. At first we thought it might be extra fluid and I took extra diuretics. However, the diuretics aren't working. Kristi my transplant coordinator feels it might be side effects from one of my anti-rejection drugs "Rapamune". So we're checking my rapamune levels and we might have to adjust my dose. I also had my Cholesterol checked again because my last reading came back really high. I hope it was a mistake...I do have hereditary issues with Cholesterol, plus prednisone increases your Cholesterol. I should find out about my labs tomorrow.

Kristi called and said they needed to adjust my Rapamune Level. She also said my white count is low and I need to be extra careful and stay away from anyone that is ill. Kristi said my Cholesterol Level had dropped slightly and we'll recheck it next month during my "annual biopsy".

Today I met with the classified retirees from Southwestern College. It's always a fun gathering. I was so blessed to be to work with these wonderful people. I always look forward to our get togethers.

Friday, April 23rd we went to the Corvette Diner to celebrate my niece, Nicole's, 17th birthday. After we left the party we drove to La Quinta for the Stagecoach Festival (two day concert) in Indio. We arrived late that evening and headed straight for bed. We knew we had two days of fun ahead and we wanted to be well rested!

Debbie and Larry at the Stagecoach Festival.

April 24th-25th we enjoyed two fun days in the sun! The concert line-up was Toby Keith, Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland, Billy Currington and Jason Aldean just to name a few. It was the best time ever! After the concert on Sunday, we headed back home. We knew we were going to be exhausted on Monday =0)

Tuesday, April 27th I went to my nephew Ryan's softball game. He was so happy to see me--he had a huge smile on his face and ran up to me and gave me a great big hug! That's why I wanted my transplant so bad...I wanted to continue experiencing these heart melting moments. Also, to my surprise, my other nephew Ryan was playing on the other team! What a fun day it was rooting for both nephews, plus I was able to spend time with their parents Kathe, Mike, John and Melissa! It was such a joy to watch both nephews play softball — their ages are 6 and 8.

Thursday, April 29th I had an appointment with my primary care physician, Dr. Sharna Shachar. For several weeks my right foot has been swollen and in a lot of pain. It's preventing me from doing my cardiac rehab classes. Also, the rejection drug Rapamune has been causing mouth sores. Dr. Shachar ordered an x-ray of my foot and ordered some prescriptions for my mouth. Dr. Shachar has played such an important role in getting me my referrals to all my specialists. Dr. Shachar's office is so organized and her staff is always so pleasant and helpful to her patients.

Friday, April 30th Larry had a softball game at his work. Men and women from the District form teams and play against each other. Larry looks forward to playing every year. It's also a lot of fun to watch.

Tomorrow is May...I look back and can't believe all I've accomplished in one year. 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.