Oh What A Night

Well if you've been on Facebook or Twitter today, you've probably already heard all about all of this excitement and drama.

I was in sound asleep in bed thismorning when the phone suddenly rang at 4AM. Virtually no-one has been given my home phone number, so even in my half-asleep stupour, I knew exactly what that call meant.

The Transplant Co-Ordinator was on the other end of the phone telling me that they had found some new lungs for me, and that I needed to be at the Alfred by 6AM.

It probably took ten minutes for it to really register. I quickly called my sister. She asked me if I was 'tricking her'. I wouldn't call anyone at 4.15AM if I was just tricking!

Then came the mild panic - I was completely unprepared. I never expected to receive a call this quickly.... it's only been 7 weeks.

I jumped in the shower and covered myself in Phisohex (including my poor hair), got dressed as quickly as possible and then thought about what else I needed to do. My sister arrived and packed my bag as I did my nebs, tried to close my online shops, emailed stockists, emailed people waiting for orders, emailed my physiotherapist.

I think we finally made it into the car at 5.15, and headed towards the city. I called each member of my immediate family, and then spent the entire trip writing instructions - leave money in the meter box on Wednesday for the gardener, call to change certain appointments etc. Then I had to write a massive list of all my bank accounts / online accounts etc just in case my sister needed it. There was so much that we were already in the city by the time I'd finished.

Arriving at the Alfred, we headed straight into emergency and around to x-ray for a couple of chest films, then it was up to the 5th floor to start preparations.

The doctor put in a cannula and took bloods and filled in the paperwork, and I received my first dose of anti-rejection meds. I then just had to wait until theatre were ready for me.

At 8AM we headed down to theatre. It was at this point that I had to say goodbye to my sister.

Once inside, all the preparations began - lots of monitors connected - a line into the artery in the wrist to measure O2 levels, another large line in the arm for fluids, four lines in the neck, and five attempts at an epidural. Unfortunately due to my bone density problems, I've lost height and my vertebrae are too close together causing a nightmare for the poor anaesthetist.

The next step was to put me to sleep, but this doesn't happen until the new lungs have been inspected by the surgeons.

Unfortunately at 10.30, upon further inspection, it was found that the lungs couldn't be transplanted.....

Yes it's disappointing, but I need perfectly healthy lungs to give me a chance of a good outcome. I still have time and I'm quite sure that my new lungs will come soon.... and at least now I know exactly what to expect!