Jailbreak

 After a total of 14 days in the hospital and 9 days post DLT surgery I was discharged on Friday April 11th. I was apprehensive at first when my transplant team came to me on Tuesday and said that I would most likely be ready to go home on Friday. In my mind there was no way, I still needed help getting in and out of bed and assistance while walking but apparently I was ahead of schedule on my recovery. According to my team of doctors I had exceeded their expectations and they had set a high bar for me. Each day a new accomplishment and getting a little stronger, I decided on Friday morning that I was indeed ready to go home! My nurses, techs and doctors were excellent. Of course I had my favorites . While I was in the transplant step down unit some of my nurses had requested to have me as their patient for their next shift.  I was flattered, however they really wanted me because I was the easiest patient to take care of on the floor.😂 

I was discharged at 5:30 pm on Friday April 11! I was so happy to be heading home, the hardest part is over and now the healing can begin. I am taking 33 pills a day , not including any pain meds, plus 2 nebulizer treatments twice a day and multiple breathing exercises. Eventually the pill overload will be lessened but for now it is necessary for the protection of my new lungs and me. There are multiple blood draws and doctors appointments scheduled for the next few months. I am now in quarantine for about 3 months. No large crowds, parties or bar hopping! The next few weeks we will be in healing mode and adjusting to our new normal and medical routine. My primary caregivers will be my daughter, Nurse Caitlin and my husband Brian. I am blessed to have such a great support system, with my family and friends by my side every step of the way. It is so nice to be home sleeping in my own bed and not being awakened every few hours during the night. I have a long road ahead of me but hopefully everything will go smoothly and we won’t have any rejection issues or illnesses! This time next year Deirdre 2.0 will be dancing on tables!



Thank you to everyone for your prayers, mass cards, meals, comfort wear, baskets of goodies, books, flowers, phone calls, text messages and getting me out the house when I was able and for the house visits when I wasn’t able. I appreciate all of it and every single one of you.

Here are some pics of my discharge day! 

Love, 

Deirdre ❤️💪🫁☘️🙏





Comments

  1. Nancy LavinApril 12, 2025 at 1:16 PM

    Can’t wait to dance with you buddy !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz Baulch-ZulloApril 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM

      There’s no place like home! It sounds like you are in great hands with your new care team. Wishing you continued forward progress with your recovery…..I hope it only hurts when you laugh! You continue to have an army of prayer warriors praying for you, your family, and your donor and their family. Be a good girl! Xoxo

      Delete
  2. Erin Murphy SchneiderJuly 12, 2025 at 9:26 AM

    Thinking of you all often. Sorry I haven’t been attentive enough -you stay in my prayers and hope you able to keep smiling and pushing through each hurdle-you have demonstrated so much strength. Love to you and Brian!

    ReplyDelete

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