It’s been a few days since my last update. There is a scene in the movie, Top Gun, when Maverick, played by Tom Cruise, freezes in a dogfight. He has just lost his co-pilot, Goose, and now he is losing control. He tries to catch his breath and calls out to his recently departed friend, “Talk to me, Goose.”
That was our Wednesday. They had changed Nikki’s pain and anti-nausea medications over the previous 36 hours. Once again, she wasn’t sleeping, she wasn’t eating and she wasn’t exercising. She was miserable. Her recovery efforts were frozen. She was in a dogfight. Nobody knew what to do, but we knew something needed to be done. She was scared and she needed help.
Nikki couldn’t afford any setbacks. They were controlling the pain at the expense of making her nauseous. Eventually, the doctors made the decision to return to a regimen similar to what had been working the prior few days. They had originally switched meds with a long term goal of removing all of the drain tubes, IV lines and oxygen tubes as soon as is reasonably possible.
Early Thursday morning, they made a few more modifications and she soon began to feel better. She was able to sleep. She started eating again. Well, she started eating pudding, anyway. In Top Gun, Maverick eventually re-engaged in his fight. Nikki did this on Thursday.
That afternoon, she was back in action. She’s did her best to keep the folks at Conagra in business by eating 5 vanilla Snack Packs that day. She had a revolving door of nutritionists, pulmonologists, surgeons, residents, med students, occupational therapists, physical therapists, edema specialists, social workers, respiratory therapists, maintenance techs, nurses, nurse’s aids, transport people, cleaners, lab techs and even a Davanni’s delivery driver. The last guy was looking for me, but Nikki still found time to sleep and do a few laps around the floor. This evening we had a friend bring up some food and he couldn’t believe that she had not turned on the television in the nearly two weeks she’s been here. With all of these people, there’s simply no time.
Friday was a better day as well. She even hit the PT Room for the first time. This is as close to a gym that you’ll find at the hospital. The 3 step station was her next exercise to check off the list. She surprised her therapist on this one too by pushing out 15 round trips up and down those 3 steps.
With all of the time spent in bed trying to figure out the nausea and pain in the last 10 days, her new lungs were starting to retain carbon dioxide. While this is common in transplant patients, it needed to be addressed. They wheeled in a BiPap machine on Friday afternoon. Remember, I’m not a doctor, so the best way for me to describe it is a pressurized mask that fits tightly around her nose and mouth. When she breathes in or out, the BiPap forces the lungs to take deeper breathes and fully exhale. This helps to expel the excess CO2. Though I don’t have any fighter pilot training either, this picture reminded me of the oxygen masks the Top Gun pilots wear.
The first technician who came in and tried to explain it, just shoved the mask on her face and it scared her. She felt like the suction could harm those pretty pink lungs. At 10 PM, another person took some more time with her and by 5 AM she was comfortable with the apparatus. We hope that the machine will help reduce those CO2 levels in a few days.
Saturday was more of the same. She wanted to see if she could possibly walk on the treadmill. The therapist was skeptical, but of course she surprised them again. The people who really know Nikki, know that she’ll attack her rehab.
In the movie, Maverick eventually re-engaged. Nikki has re-engaged on her mission of healing. But let’s continue to remember the donor family who has lost their co-pilot, their Goose. We’ll be keeping them in our thoughts and prayers in hopes they can get through their loss and re-engage in their lives.
On a side note, I would like to wish my buddy, the Regginator, good luck in the Madison Ironman event on Sunday. When his then 2 year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer a few years back, I don’t think he could spell Ironman. Their lives were turned upside down, and he made some drastic changes. We had a nice talk today about how blessed we are to have such amazing girls in our lives. Just a few hours from now, he’s going to begin his mission to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and then run a marathon! His daughter will be waiting for him at the finish line. She will be his “Goose” when he loses his direction and his mind wants to tell his body to quit. I know he will re-engage.
Nikki's New Lungs 
Thanks for the update Nikki we are keeping you and Danita in our thoughts and prayers with your new lungs. Take care you have caring people by your side.
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Thank you for the honest update. Nikki keep climbing, keep fighting…. Get that CO2 out! Your lungs are strong, you are strong, and your family is strong. Big hug to you all.
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Love the correlation with Top Gun. Nikki you are a fighter and will come out strong! We axniously await your updates and hope that there are no more set backs. All steam ahead! Ken, Theresa & Kaden
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Good blessed Sunday morning loved ones!! Thank you so much for the update, I will admit…I was getting stressed and worried as I checked your wall hourly, I now feel relieved;) You, your family, our family is a strong one and I have no doubt in my mind that with our strength and prayer that you will soon be back on your feet and running a marathon! I still include the donor family daily in my prayer and will continue to, sending lots of love, huge hugs and prayer your way, love you all to pieces!!!!!!!!!
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Thank goodness for Bi-level machines.. It will get you the needed result. Landing at your home base! I never doubted your ability to show the PT/OT how to “git ‘er done”
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Travis….Thank you for the update. Your posts always being smiles and tears to my eyes. I have been thinking of you and Nikki non stop! I continue to keep both of you in my prayers, and I know what a tought fighter Nikki is. I am looking forward to the day I am able to come visit, and help support in other ways. Love you both!!-Kathryn
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Our pastor told a great story today about a marathon runner who was trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon and he hit a wall at about mile 20. At that point, a steady runner in a blue shirt passed him and he decided to focus on that guy, let him set the pace and just try to keep up. He credited the blue shirt guy for being able to finish the race and qualify. When the race was over, he saw the blue shirt guy walking by and said, ‘Thanks, man, it’s because of you that I made it the last few miles.’ The blue shirt guy looked over and said, ‘It’s because of you that I made it from mile 17 to 20.’ Everyone needs to find their ‘blue shirt guy.’
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Beautifully written, Trav and way to go Nikki! You will keep amazing all those that surround you as you regain your strength and heal.
Love, Heidi and Scott
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You guys amaze us! Travis, Thank you so much for continuing to keep us updated. A day does not go by without thinking of you and NIkki!
Our family is sending lots of love and support to both of you as you continue through this journey. Godspeed!
XOXO
The Votel Family
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Way to go Nikki, we were a little concerned when for a day or two there was not any update. Think about this – if the medical people would only discuss and talk to YOU about your meds and feelings, they could avoid doing things that set you back. But again that iron willed determination saw you recoup as usual. You could write a book, and you will. I know how keen and eager you are to get on with it and out of hospital, Just don’t rush and push yourself too far too fast. Healing takes time and patience. We know that you will never under perform, because in your whole life you never have and never will. Everyone that knows you is in your fan club.
Love to you both!
Uncle Al & Aunt Bonnie
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Thanks Travis for the update. Nikki keep with your desire to get better each day. That iswhat this takes is a strong will which you certainly have.
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Hi Nikki and Travis the tears are rolling, we are cheering you on. We know how hard and scary this is and a lung transplant is not for sissy’s but what I have seen in both Nikki and Jamie is the determination and love of life and family they have. Nikki we are praying and thinking about you each and every day, it’s hard but you will turn the corner after a few bumps and curves. A new home, how wonderful. Faith, Hope and Love to both of you.
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Thank you Travis for the update. I think of Nikki everyday and pray for strength and healing for her. I pray also for the family who in their grief, unselfishly gave life to her. Nikki I remember telling you the last time I spoke with you at LifeSource that your day was coming soon. (Little did I know!)
Blessings to both of you.
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Thank you for the update Travis, I can’t wait to read every one.
So good to hear, I know she is a spitfire and will tackle everything put in front of her.
You two are such an amazing couple, you are so dedicated!
I can’t imagine how close & connected you must be to one another, that is one positive thing that I can think of through all of this pain. You will just become stronger & stronger as one.
Also, I must add that you are a very good writer!!
You will all remain in my prayers xo
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Travis,. you are an outstanding writer! Thank you for sharing these updates. I am so sorry to hear how tough Nikki’s journey has been and I am also encouraged by her strength and determination. Everyone at LifeSource continues to pray for both of you and can’t wait until the day when Nikki strolls in out office sans oxygen.
Good luck on the move!
Susan Mau Larson
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