Nikki's New Lungs

Here is a picture of my niece Lauren and I from last year on my birthday when we made our annual donation to Toys for Tots. This year, the truck is going to be over flowing with so many toys! Thank you everyone that has donated to the kiddos thus far. Thank you also for the cash donations that have been coming in, I will make sure when I do the shopping for you I will get the most toys possible! We already have over 75 different toys and can’t wait for a final count on Monday. I am loving being your “personal shopper & delivery gal” for all your toy needs. There are going to be many kids this Christmas that are going to have smiles on their faces when they wake up because of you. If you are looking to donate or to join us when we deliver at the KARE 11 studio, there is still plenty of time. Get in touch with me before Monday and we can make arrangements.

Our Christmas Tree has a special ornament this year. A pair of angel wings adorn the top of our tree in honor of my donor, my hero, my angel.

I forgot how much fun winter can be. I’m loving it! For the last 7 years or so I wasn’t able to be outside for very long in the winter. Before when it was cold out, let’s face it, anything below 40 degrees, I couldn’t breathe outside. Now, with my new lungs its unbelievable what I have been able to do and how much fun I’m having. To start, I shoveled the deck, stairs, and walkway. I know it may not sound “fun” to some of you but I had a blast and its something I think Travis could get used to ME doing. Then I have never had the strength or lung power to use the snow blower but Travis let me take the reigns for a few swipes (loved using that machine), we made snow angels in the middle of the lake and to top it off, I actually JOGGED on the treadmill.  And, I did it all without trouble breathing!!! We kept marveling that even though the temperature was 1 below zero, I wasn’t struggling with a cough attack.

Last week I had a check up and my lung functions were slightly worse for some unknown reason. Since I already had a routine bronch scheduled yesterday we thought we would see what the results were before wondering too much. During the procedure I had some bleeding which is always a risk when having a bronch, it did stop on its own but we had to leave the scope down my throat longer then usual. A bronch is the best way to check for rejection or infection. I am happy to report there were no signs of rejection or infection!!! I wonder if I was a little exhausted from Turkey Day. After all we hosted eleven and I was a little tired the day after.

Every year on my birthday for over the last decade I have brought toys to the Kare 11 news station and donated to Toys for Tots. This year, I have a special request.  If you were thinking of donating to the cause, please either join me at the news station (exact time to be determined) on Monday, December 16th to donate as many toys as possible or arrange a time with me to meet and I can take the toys for you. Since I am fortunate enough to celebrate another birthday, this year’s donation is in honor of my donor, my hero. Please help me bring on the toys!

11/27/13 marks three months since my transplant, WOW! It is unbelievable to think tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I have so much to be thankful for, especially this year. I have been feeling great this week. I had a good doctors appointment last Friday. My lung functions jumped almost ten percent! I am pleased to say I have been feeling well enough AND I actually have enough energy to be hosting a turkey feast for eleven! It is so nice we are going to be spending the holiday with family.  Unfortunately, Travis’ dad and Deb are sick so they won’t be able to join us.  We are very sad but look forward to seeing them at Christmas.

I want to share with you that I sent my thank you letter to my donor family, I am really hoping they were able to receive it today. It was very difficult to write but very rewarding at the same time. I will share one thing that I wrote to them- I hope it brings some bit of peace to your family around the holidays knowing that your loved one’s selflessness and generosity has given the ultimate gift to others – life!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and Thankful Turkey Day, Gobble Gobble Gobble!!

I’m glad I returned home last night and slept in my own bed, not the hospital. Although we don’t have the final results from many of the tests, the initial reports indicated no bacterial infection which is what the doctors were concerned about. The final results should be back by Monday.

Also, my routine bronchoscopy was cancelled last Tuesday so we will try and reschedule that for this week. A “bronch” is where they go down my nose with a camera and take lung tissue samples for signs of infection and rejection. Sounds lovely doesn’t it? Don’t worry it’s not too bad. It’s also the best method to check that everything is well with my new lungs.

I’m still tired today but I had a little more energy. Maybe it was a quick little bug that’s “bugging” me.

We are spending our dinnertime at lovely 500 Harvard Street on the U of M campus again. If you don’t recognize the address, it’s the emergency room.

I still haven’t been feeling well since Monday. When I was so tired today that I had to take a nap, I knew I better make a call into my doctor. They were worried and I was told I better come down to the E.R.

We are hungry and we were just about to order some Big 10 subs when I was reminded I am not allowed to eat. So much for dinner at 500 Harvard.

Good news! It appears that I didn't suffer from a small stroke and I 
didn't have a reaction from medication which we were concerned about.
Turns out I have a plugged sinus! It still doesn't completely explain 
the memory loss but if a nerve was being pressed that could be the 
cause. I am back home, started some antibiotics and I will be seeing 
my ear, nose, and throat doctor for some more frequent nose squirts.
Thank you for all the support and messages!

I didn’t think I would be back in the hospital so soon but I was admitted last night. After a great appointment at my primary physicians yesterday, everything seemed to be going well until my mom and I went to Target. I went to order a coffee and couldn’t remember what I always get! My mom said I looked confused and I tried to blow it off. Shortly after I had a headache and a slight temperature. I called my doctors and they told me to head to the emergency room, since I am still taking blood thinners they were concerned about a brain bleed. While in the E.R. I had another episode with my memory. I had trouble remembering a couple of our friends and even family members’. Very scary! After a test determined there was no brain bleed, thank goodness, I ended up throwing up which is very unusual for me. They decided to keep me through the night and….I’m still here. Things are better tonight so maybe tomorrow I will go home, fingers crossed. I’m thankful at times like this that I have had continuous “Nikki sitters”. Thank you all that have spent time with me to make sure things are smooth in my recovery!