So what's this? I bust out of the confines of the hospital and stop updating? Pretty much, yeah. As of Wednesday, December 14th I am a free woman! Free to sleep in my own bed, free to roam without an IV pole (for the first time in many, many months) and free to work these new lungs.

I must say, it's weird being home and not having to constantly adhere to a physio schedule (I still do nebs for the next three months, mind you). But already I notice I have so much free time. Of course, I'm still healing from major surgery and require lots of rest, but I know that time is there to spare. What a nice holiday gift!

Most of this week has consisted of my returning to the hospital for exercise (with my green card) and relaxing around the apartment. Since it's busy holiday season I'm avoiding all public places and probably will for the next three months when my immune system is lowest.

The best update of all? On Monday I had my very first PFT (lung function test) test and I blew 57% (1.63 L), a number that I haven't seen since I was a child! To give you an idea of where I was before transplant, my PFTs were .61 L, which is 21%. It's mind-boggling that I can now do a lung function test without hacking and seeing stars after. I also got to have a look of my recent chest xray compared to my before transplant xray and there's so much improvement in my back already (perhaps why I'm standing up straighter?) Also, a lot of the gas trapping and hyperinflation I had from my old lungs has virtually disappeared. Amazing how quick that happens!

Smiley is happy to be leaving!

Making a run for it

Mom carrying my bags home since I cannot lift anything heavier than 10 lbs for 3 months

I have been feeling good great since my blood transfusion on Friday-- now I've really been able to work these new lungs! In fact, I felt SO good today that I was able to go home for a few hours on a pass (and home is literally up the street for me, so it was completely feasible). It was nice to sit on my own couch, lay in my own bed and rummage through my own fridge-- it's really all the small comforts you miss, and quickly become luxuries when you've been separated from them.

The only thing missing was my foster dog Penny, who has been staying at Chateau McCarthy with my cousins and being spoiled to death. I honestly don't think she even misses us... she has her green ball, and that's all a determined little Jack Russell could really ask for?

Today we got to the bottom of things, literally. I had my very first Bronch around 12 pm that lasted about an hour (or so my mom says). The procedure was not nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be-- in fact, the most inconvenient part of the whole thing was fasting since midnight. Hungry Lindsay doesn't fair too well in public!

I was taken back down to the second floor where my transplant surgery took place almost two weeks ago. Then I was parked in the day unit, explained the procedure and transferred to the "freezing room". The room is ironically warm, but it's purpose is to deliver you all things 'freezy'. I gargled some solution to freeze the back of my throat (it supposedly it horrible, but I guess my tastebuds are still asleep because it wasn't all that bad), then I nebulized more freeze solution. After that, I said farewell to my Mom and was wheeled off to the procedure room.