Rejection Episode

February 16, 9a.m.:  yesterday Randy received a call from Dr. Fernando Torres’ office (he is the Head of the Transplant Department at UT Southwestern) and was advised that the tissue biopsy from the bronchoscopy performed on Friday showed possible rejection.  The visual portion of the bronch looked great, but the biopsy tells another story.  Rejection of the transplanted organ is not exactly music to our ears, however, most lung transplant patients experience at least one episode of rejection, especially during the first 6-12 months.  It does not mean that the lungs won’t work, or will be rejected, when caught early, most episodes are dealt with expeditiously.

Randy is at UT Southwestern University Hospital where he will be treated with Solu-Medrol, a very strong prednisone. I read the orders last night and they said he would have 3 treatments a day for 3 days; of course the nurses don’t know what the protocol is supposed to be. So far this morning, Randy has not yet seen Dr Torres.

We have to expect bumps in the road. As I said, the majority of transplantees have episodes of rejection. We have to be as positive in our outlook as possible, and he will be home in 3 days, back on schedule with his Pulmonary Therapy. Life is, at best, unpredictable, and we have to go with the flow.

Facebook groups of lung transplantees have been wonderful…they are such great support.  They’ve all been here, so it is good to have people who have had these experiences to  discuss things with. I’ve talked to several people this morning who have had one or two episodes with rejection and they are all doing fine. As I said, it is not at all uncommon.

It is now 1015a.m. and still no doctor. I’m going to head to the hospital. THINK POSITIVELY, OPTIMISTICALLY!  I know it will be okay.