Jeff's Transplant Site

These are excerpts from a diary Irene kept post my transplant.

Monday December 9th 1985. Jeff has been in Harefield since October 24th Today is the big day

December 10th.Jeff was moved out of ITU this evening into Room 19 E-Ward

December 11th. Today saw the removal of some of the monitoring equipment and started to recognize people for the first time Only myself and nursing staff allowed in until 4pm. (barrier nursed until then). Still on oxygen, but not on many drips now.

December 12th. Saw Jeff off oxygen and now in Jim-Jams, now sitting up (with help). Starting to eat and looks Pink. Had E.C.G, X-Ray, Blood Tests and 1st biopsy, started physio (breathing exercises). Jeff told he was rejecting and started on H.A.T.G. For 3 nights.

December 13th. Saw an upset, frightened Jeff, thought he'd gone through all this for nothing. Got out of bed to sit in chair to have bed made, eating normally again, taking own tablets & Cyclosporin. Jeff will not believe he had the op on Monday 4 days ago.

December 16th. After a quiet weekend, 7 days post transplant Jeff walked to the bathroom (still supported but mainly on his own). Going for 1st proper bath since coming into hospital in October, very nerve racking experience for us both, had to cover scar and  pacemaker wires with plastic apron, realized how much weight he'd lost. Doing more physio, walking and peddles.

December 17th. Jeff's Mom & Dad arrived to find Jeff not only dressed, but ready to go to the pavilion for a glass of orange. The 1st time Jeff had been outside since October

.

December 18th. Jeff walked with his Mom & Dad to the bungalow where I'd been staying, sat on my bed and banged his head on the wall. Went back to his room for a lie down. In the evening walked to canteen for orange, coffee & some of my baked potato. had visit from Sister Jones off D- East. (my home the last 6 weeks).

My 1st chance to see M.Y. seemed very pleased with Jeff's progress said we couldn't go home for Christmas but could go into a flat in village so we could be together.

December 19th. Biopsy, E.C.G, Blood Test, Echo & X-Ray, told we couldn't go to the flat today as Jeff had a slight  temp. Jeff was complaining of pain in stomach area, so the pacemaker wires were removed.

December 20th. The big day told we could go into the flat today. Had to pack Jeff's room and my stuff from the bungalow,  (how much stuff can you collect in 3 months away from home). Lunchtime saw us in the flat 

(16 Hinkley Close). 

I had to walk back to town to buy some food as Jeff was starving had to make do with Beans on toast

December 21st. Jeff's brother Martin & his wife Rose came to take us to Uxbridge for shopping, got most things needed for, Christmas the following Wednesday. 

In the afternoon My Mom, Dad brother Paul, sister Karen and Niece Emma arrived with a TV, Christmas prezzies & decorations.

December 22nd. Quiet day went for usual walk, Jeff is managing the stairs better.

December 23rd. Quiet day went for usual walk

December 24th. Picked up at 9am for 1st visit to Transplant Outpatients, Biopsy, E.C.G, Echo, Blood test & X-Ray. Walked into the village, (still with mask over mouth & nose) then taken back to the flat. Walked to corner-shop to get a Chicken (Christmas dinner).

Jeff felt tired so went to bed for a lie down.5pm Melissa (Transplant Dr) phoned, Jeff was rejecting (again) had to go to hospital to start on anti- rejection injections.

December 25th.Christmas Day, Our 1st Christmas together as a married couple the day we thought we'd never see, Paul phoned at 6am.Went to Harefield at 9am Jeff for injection No2.I went to D-East for drinks and chocs then went back to the flat to cook lunch.

December 26th. Last injection at hospital, spent rest of day at flat.

December 27th. Biopsy, E.C.G, Blood Test, Echo & X-Ray.

December 28th. Went to Uxbridge to get Jeff new coat & jumper as he was feeling the cold.

December 29th. Usual walk & exercise plan.

December 30th. Quiet day usual walk

.

December 31st. Another visit to Harefield usual tests, no talk of going home to Shropshire.

January 1st 1986. The start of a new year, it could only be better than the last one.

January 2nd. Harefield yet again usual tests, told best news yet if all was well we could go home to Shropshire tomorrow, will know more later.

January 3rd  BIG DAY. Dad & Paul arrive to take us home Arrived back in Shropshire at 8pm .Jeff left this Flat 18-October-1985 now it was 03-January-1986 (78 days later). What a difference a few months can make. Without Harefield Jeff would have never seen December 10th let alone be able to walk into the flat again