Popular Post ktgrok Posted January 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2023 Mom called tonight - she's made enough progress in her pumonary therapy program/bootcamp at duke, and they listed her for a lung transplant!!!! She does have some antibodies (common in women who have had children) that make her harder to match than say, a man, but they still think in a few weeks, hopefully, she will get a new lung! they are only going for a single lung due to scar tissue from a previous surgery. Now, I'm freaking out all over again. I plan to fly or drive up when she gets the call, so I need to figure out logistics, pack a bag, etc. Most likely I'll fly, as the flight is less than 2 hours and usually there are fairly cheap tickets from orlando to RDU, vs 9 hour drive. Plus we only have one vehicle that fits all the kids, so if I drove I'd need to rent a car most likely. At that point flying and using Lyft makes more sense I think. Although if I drove I could take my sewing machine with me, sewing is my stress relief and I have fabric coming tomorrow for a quilt I want to make my mom. But my main sewing machine is too big for carryon I think, and I don't trust it in checked bags. And my smaller machine is beat up and has broken parts. I could just pack some other fabric and work on hand sewing - English Paper Piecing hexagons for stress relief I guess. Or maybe I'll pick up a cross stitch kit or something - haven't done cross stitch in years. That's super portable. I will shop tomorrow and fill the garage freezer with some frozen gluten free pizzas, frozen dinners, etc and between that and the kids' normal snack, sandwhiches, etc meals should be fine for the kids while I'm gone. Oldest is already pretty self sufficient with school, younger one I just switched to CTC math so he can do that on his own, and I can put assignments into there for him if he's struggling to figure out what to do. Youngest can play and watch PBS Kids. (likely be gone less than a week the first trip up, maybe longer a month later when she is discharged to their apartment up there). Anyway, I'm excited and scared and a bit overwhelmed but wanted to share with you all. 58 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 Wonderful news! I wonder if there is a way to rent a sewing machine up there? You should have that stress relief! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 7 minutes ago, BandH said: Wonderful news! I wonder if there is a way to rent a sewing machine up there? You should have that stress relief! I started to look, but realized when I'm at the hospital I won't be able to use it anyway. I'll look mor einto it when I go back up, after she gets discharged, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 That news really hits reality. Praying it all comes together well. You might decide just to buy a cheap machine and leave it at mom's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 (edited) 19 minutes ago, Starr said: That news really hits reality. Praying it all comes together well. You might decide just to buy a cheap machine and leave it at mom's. I might do that. Edited January 18, 2023 by ktgrok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 Such good news! Hope things go smoothly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 I have a bunch of friends in Durham and the surrounding area. Want me to ask if you can borrow a sewing machine? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 Praying for your mom and for you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 (edited) Ok so I'd probably be traveling Southwest, and their carry on rules are by size, not weight. So I COULD bring my machine. I guess some fly with it just in the hard cover it came with?Mine is heavy though, so I was thinking I could get a rolling cart type case, IF I can fit my machine in it and find one that works with the carry on size. Google says my machine is 17.2" long, but I just measured and it was more like 16.2. I'm betting that extra inch is from the cord when it attached? Which it wouldn't be. Most cases are not big enough for 17" so that matters. Might be better off trying to see if I can pack it safely in a regular carryon wheeled bag I already have. Could put fabric and machine and thread in there, and put needles/pins/rotary cutter in checked bag. I Edited January 18, 2023 by ktgrok 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 Great news. I am so happy she is on the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Blue Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 That wonderful news. I’m so happy to hear this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 PMing you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 2 hours ago, ktgrok said: Ok so I'd probably be traveling Southwest, and their carry on rules are by size, not weight. So I COULD bring my machine. I guess some fly with it just in the hard cover it came with?Mine is heavy though, so I was thinking I could get a rolling cart type case, IF I can fit my machine in it and find one that works with the carry on size. Google says my machine is 17.2" long, but I just measured and it was more like 16.2. I'm betting that extra inch is from the cord when it attached? Which it wouldn't be. Most cases are not big enough for 17" so that matters. Might be better off trying to see if I can pack it safely in a regular carryon wheeled bag I already have. Could put fabric and machine and thread in there, and put needles/pins/rotary cutter in checked bag. I My worries for your machine (mine is heavy as well): it would be very difficult to get in the overhead bin and it won't fit under a set. If you get it in a bin, then you have other people shoving their stuff in there not caring if they are banging your bag. I'd be really concerned about your knobs. I've tried putting my machine with it's hardcover on into a rolling tote and it didn't fit. If you can find one that will fit, maybe a Tutto, then that's your best bet. Still super heavy though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 40 minutes ago, stephanier.1765 said: My worries for your machine (mine is heavy as well): it would be very difficult to get in the overhead bin and it won't fit under a set. If you get it in a bin, then you have other people shoving their stuff in there not caring if they are banging your bag. I'd be really concerned about your knobs. I've tried putting my machine with it's hardcover on into a rolling tote and it didn't fit. If you can find one that will fit, maybe a Tutto, then that's your best bet. Still super heavy though. yeah, I think I'm going to pack up the EPP stuff to hand sew, since I'll be at the hospital a lot this time anyway. And reevaluate for when I go up when she is discharged and I'll be at the actual apartment more. Might even get a small, more portable machine for that, or borrow one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 I will say, I just was in the zoom Caregiver Support meeting and someone had to sign out because they got the call! So exciting! Also good to see my daddy on zoom - he's not a chatty guy, but he called me after and we coordinated some stuff, he's excited I can tell 🙂 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 Oh, so y'all can laugh with me- I told DH she made the list, but I haven't even STARTED her quilt yet and DH looked at me, and said flatly, "I'm pretty sure she'd rather have the lung." Lol, he has a point! 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 I’m glad she’s gotten on the list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 I’m so glad! Check your pm’s! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeLovePassion Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 Hooray! 🎉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 That's such great news! I'm happy for you and your family but especially for your mom. ❤️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholastica Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Great news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Yay! So happy for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share Posted January 19, 2023 So - mini update Mom messaged me and it seems I am NOT going up there, at least not while she is in the hospital. They are seeing a lot of patients getting Covid and Flu post op, and are discouraging extra visitors/persons. If Dad needs me, I'll still go, but at this point it's not something they are planning on. If it looks like they do want me there say, when she goes from hospital to apartment, they will let me know and I'll isolate at home for 7-10 days, and then drive, rather than fly, to go up there. That will minimize germ exposure. AND she got a call today from dermatologist, the basal cell tumor they took off her neck was bigger than thought and they didn't get clear margins. She has to go back - the derm is calling around to find the soonest they can get her in with someone to go back in. Sigh. Not sure how that will impact her listing. Quite the roller coaster of emotions the last few days. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraw4321 Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Wow - that’s quite a roller coaster. Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 26, 2023 Author Share Posted January 26, 2023 No news, but had to share this photo she sent me today - she looks amazing! I told her she does not LOOK like someone that needs a lung transplant! Nor does she look 70 years old! I know some probably hear her age and think she is too old for a transplant, it's a waste, or whatever, but I think this photo shows how vibrant she is, and how much more life she has in her, if she gets this transplant. 17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 3 minutes ago, ktgrok said: No news, but had to share this photo she sent me today - she looks amazing! I told her she does not LOOK like someone that needs a lung transplant! Nor does she look 70 years old! I know some probably hear her age and think she is too old for a transplant, it's a waste, or whatever, but I think this photo shows how vibrant she is, and how much more life she has in her, if she gets this transplant. Wow, she looks great! I would have thought she was 20 years younger. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 26, 2023 Author Share Posted January 26, 2023 3 minutes ago, stephanier.1765 said: Wow, she looks great! I would have thought she was 20 years younger. She actually had some people at the rehab center, who see her there daily but are not the ones working with her so don't have her chart/details, who thought she was 50, not 70! And the rehab program has been SO good for her - she had declined so much over the last year, not realizing it was a new lung disease, just thinking she was out of shape from Covid and staying home so much. Once they got her on oxygen all the time she was able to move around more at home, but that rehab program there is what really has transformed her. They have her not just doing cardio (bike and treadmill) but also weight lifting! And stretching as well. AND they got her eating more protein, which she needed but I hadn't been able to get her to do. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
***** Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 Keeping her in my prayers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 She looks great and I would never have thought she is 70. Praying for the list to move quickly and a successful transplant!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 27, 2023 Author Share Posted January 27, 2023 Oh, and she had Mohs procedure yesterday, to get the rest of the Basal cell carcinoma on her neck that the first surgery didn't get all off. I sort of hope she gets a little bit longer before surgery just so she's not stuck lying on her neck in a hospital bed - one more thing to feel yucky. But I guess she will have enough pain meds it wouldn't matter in the scheme of things, lol. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 1 hour ago, ktgrok said: Oh, and she had Mohs procedure yesterday, to get the rest of the Basal cell carcinoma on her neck that the first surgery didn't get all off. I sort of hope she gets a little bit longer before surgery just so she's not stuck lying on her neck in a hospital bed - one more thing to feel yucky. But I guess she will have enough pain meds it wouldn't matter in the scheme of things, lol. My fil had to have a pretty big spot removed from his face via Moh's procedure. It healed fairly quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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