Continue to March: the best alternative for a new heart recipient

SITUATION REPORT:  I've been at the University of Minnesota Hospital, University of Minnesota Medical Center at Fairview off and on since January.  Until June 8, all in and outpatient visits were related to my HeartMate II, left ventricular assist device--a heart pump.  

Since June 8, when I received the fantastic, magnanimous life saving, life changing gift of a new heart, I have been going down an "unimproved road" and have hit a few bumps and washouts. 

The cardiology teams that follow me all consult and share their vast experience in solving emerging issues.  Heart transplant medical practice is more complex than I was ever aware.  A further wrinkle is that home is in Fargo, ND, some 250 miles from post-transplant care.

The most recent challenge for this heart transplant patient has been  the scientific pursuit of what was causing the fever and coughing.  The  doctors cultured every conceivable bodily fluid. After a number of days, the conclusion was that I had a fungus spore borne pneumonia.  The process of regulating and managing medications has been called titration.  Today the lab results showed that I was stable enough and in good enough medical condition to be discharged from the hospital, or stir in Cagney's lingo. 

I have come to believe that the best part of being discharged is being able to wave at the hospital in the rear view mirror:  Until next time.