I Had a Good Day

Courtney Nicoline James

Skip to content

Home
About
The Beginning
Blog Posts
The Power of Music
Challenge
Contact

Search

Search for:

Challenge

Challenge #1: Change Your Daily Outlook for Seven Days (Click to view challenge.)

Advertisements

Share this:

Twitter
Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Courtney
23 years old
Fearless.

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow I Had a Good Day on WordPress.com

Recent Posts

Finding Power When Your Disease Makes You Feel Powerless
The Healing Powers of Good Nurses
I AM READY TO BE FREE – Overcoming Depression
Without a Compass- Navigating Life after Illness Changes You
The “I’m Fine” Feeling

Instagram

Day 21 in the hospital for this stay. I’m coming out stronger than when I went in!! My transplanted intestines just needed a break so we have been doing “bowel rest.” I lose a lot of fluids everyday so to combat that once I go home I will be BACK on TPN feedings, which at first I’ll be honest, I was disappointed about. I didn’t want to be back on artificial nutrition, but I now understand the importance of using it to keep me nourished, and to protect my kidney and liver functions, especially since I now have developed Chronic Kidney Disease on top of everything else. This will allow me to basically only eat when I “want” to and to be able to rest my intestines without needing to be inpatient when necessary. The only concern with this is preventing a line infection since I’ll now have a central line again, and being on strong doses of immunosuppressants (due to the organ transplant), I constantly have a critically low white blood cell count and struggle to fight infections. I currently have 3 and that’s with being on oral and IV antibiotics. Additionally, Rheumatology has switched my Ora steroids to IV steroids which is helped the blood clot in my arm and joint swelling and pain a lot, which I’m very thankful for!! Hematology also wants to do a bone marrow biopsy to see where everything else is at as I just had to have more blood transfusions. The transplant team is hoping to have me home by Monday, which I’m looking forward to!! I miss my loved ones, but understand as it’s a long drive to come to NYC which is where my hospital is, it’s hard on everyone, so I’m thankful for technology to keep in contact with everyone and the visits I do get 😊 This is an absolutely WONDERFUL hospital and team that I have couldn’t be better or more supportive! I’ve been staying very active, walking around the unit doing laps and my PT/OT exercises and like I said, leaving stronger than when I came in!! “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us,” (Romans 8:18), it only gets better from here!! #transplant #donatelife #intestinaltransplant #tpn #centealline #artificialnutrition #fedisbest #romans #hospital #spoonie

I debated posting this but as I have documented my journey so far, I felt this should be included as the news and progress only keeps getting better and better and maybe it can bring hope and encouragement to at least one other person. I have physical therapy that comes to my house to work on exercises for strength and endurance a couple times a week. On the days they don’t come, I continue to do my exercises to continue getting stronger each and every day. As a result of the support I have from the medical community and especially my loved ones, I have been able to take the rail off my bed (that helped me get in and out of it), the assistive bars in the shower, and the raised toilet seat with handles. I no longer use my power wheelchair and rarely do I use my handicap parking pass. Not every day is an easy day and I still struggle with the pain and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, but despite that I am able to push myself and gain independence. While this may not seem like a huge deal to most of you, these were all things I had to rely on that I no longer need, which is an amazing feeling. I am unbelievably blessed and every day just gets better and better. This is proof that no matter how bad or how rare a disease is, there is always hope and the chance of beating it. A year ago I rolled into my transplant surgeons office in a power wheelchair unsure of my future and artificially fed through tubes. I had very little independence and several tubes coming out of me. Here we are, a year later, and 4 months after my major transplant surgery and I can eat, walk, and generally get through a day on my own. Blessings and miracles do exist and the power of prayer is extraordinary. Thank you for taking this journey with me and for the support and love. It has made a huge difference in my fight and recovery. “It’s hard to fight when the fight ain’t fair, but we’re getting stronger now.” #transplant #intestinaltransplant #donatelife 💙💜🦋💜💙

I think the hardest part about this journey has been learning to trust my body again after so many years of not being able to sustain itself. With that being said, today my transplant team told me “my transplant was officially a success” and that I “am out of the woods.” Exciting words to hear, the team then REMOVED MY CENTRAL LINE after so many years having it!! NOW is the time to trust the body God has given me and the tools I now have to sustain on my own. My kidney numbers are also coming down to a reasonable number. I can eat again. There is no reason not to trust myself anymore. Typing those words have me in tears as today was such a monumental day. I am a free birdie!! Please, donate your organs. Organ donation makes such a difference to those who are still on earth 💙💜🦋💜💙 #transplant #donatelife

My face is naked!!!! NO MORE NASAL TUBE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Which means......ITS TIME TO (slowly) START ADVANCING AN ORAL DIET!!!!!!! #lifeisgood #donatelife #transplantwarrior

Advertisements

Search for:

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

%d bloggers like this: