Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. We have had a fabulous holiday. We hosted Christmas Eve with our families starting with a fondue dinner followed by opening gifts and spending quality time together laughing at stories. Today, we spent the afternoon with family and friends feeling the love of Christmas and joy. I feel so blessed to celebrate the holidays with my new lungs. I think of my donor everyday. I hope my donor’s family was able to find some peace during this season. Bless my donor.
Last week I had a good doctors appointment. My lung functions had slightly improved. It’s so exciting when I see those numbers getting better. Although my doctors did scold me. I am NOT, under any circumstances, supposed to be shoveling! When I told them Travis has lucked out because he hasn’t had to shovel at all this year because I have been beating him to it, you should have seen their eyes almost pop out of their head! My bones and nerves are still healing in my chest and I am still on a good dosage of prednisone which also interferes with the soft tissue healing. They had to remind me that even though I am feeling strong I still need to take it easy. So, I will have to wait until next year’s snow fall before I am allowed to grab the shovel again. I can’t wait!!
And…unfortunately I have formed a new blood clot in my jugular (neck). It was caused from the Hickman I have placed in my chest. The Hickman is the long term I.V. line going into one of my central veins. I have had the line since April, but since I have been on the blood thinner coumadin since my surgery, it is very surprising that the clot has formed. We are headed to the hospital tomorrow morning to have it removed. We were supposed to be stopping the blood thinners, but now I will need to take them for another three months. The Hickman was convenient because I am still having frequent blood tests and I was able to draw blood off my line. We will still have to check blood twice a week but because I have limited veins and won’t be able to use the I.V. line, we will have to poke my feet to get blood. I have mixed emotions about taking it out because it is so nice for blood draws. BUT, the great news about taking out the Hickman is I don’t have the daily maintenance of flushing the lines, the weekly dressing changes, and I no longer will have to cover and tape my chest when I shower!!
Nikki's New Lungs 
Merry Christmas to you and Trav!! So happy you had a good one!! Thank you for your Card. I loved it. So enjoy reading your updates and glad things are going so well for you. Happy New Year too!! Love and hugs!! Shari and Rich
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Sorry about losing the easy access to blood draws. I thought of you often during my week in the hospital and it kept things in perspective, reminding me how easy I really had it. My arms looked like those of a heroine addict by the time I got out from all the hemoglobin testing, IV’s, etc. so I’m understanding your apprehension. May your feet provide ample blood when they poke! 🙂 Happy holidays, my dear. So happy you could enjoy it so far!
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Merry Christmas Nikki, so happy that you are doing so well. Wishing you a Happy New Year like no other!
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So glad your doing so well Nikki, Too bad about losing the the line as even though it was a pain at times it sure saved alot of pokes! Wishing you and all your Family
all the Best in 2014!
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Thank you Marlene. I sure hope you are doing well. The best is wished for you in 2014 also.
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Nikki I can sympathize about the blood draws I take coumadin and have to have blood work done and I have hard to find veins. Best wishes for a wonderful 2014.
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Sorry to hear you have trouble with your veins too 😦 Sending wishes you have a fabulous 2014 as well.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Nikki. Happy for you and your family Say hi to your mother for me Patti
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Thanks Patti! Hope you and your kiddos had a wonderful holiday season. We still need to chat one of these days. Take care.
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