The tale of a fungus and other recent developments

Seven months since transplant: just returned from labs and testing for four days.

Two months after transplant, I developed pneumonia and was hospitalized to allow the U of MN cardio team to try to track down the cause.  I learned that there are a myriad varieties of pneumonia and, with a suppressed immune system, any one of those varieties can potentially do you in. Pneumonia impacts lung function.

Fortunately, the infectious disease specialists ran exhaustive tests and, based on their training and experience, determined that the culprit was likely a fungus. They could not say for certain what the fungus was but I learned later that the docs were correct. 

I was prescribed Voriconazole or VFend. Using that drug requires adjustments in the other immune suppressing drugs. VFend seems to magnify the potency of the two main drugs I take to keep my new heart from being rejected by my body.

The VFend began in late August and concluded last Friday.  Meanwhile, in October, I received word from the cardio team that the heart I received had a fungus infection, which caused my bout of pneumonia.  I didn't ask, 'how could this be?'  Instead, I accepted the problem and went on with the cure.

A CAT scan last week showed that the fungus nodule in my left lung was gone. The VFend could be discontinued and it was as of last Friday. Yippee Ki Yay and adios fungus.

One of the side effects of VFend is fluid retention in the extremities.   For me, that meant significantly swollen feet, ankles, calves and knees. There was no pain associated with the edema but it was uncomfortable and necessitated wrapping my lower legs with ACE bandages, and wearing compression stockings. Although the VFend was discontinued, I still have the swelling.  It is lessening day by day. A small price to pay for another chance at life.

Another issue I've been dealing with is steroid induced diabetes.  The Prednisone I take as part of the anti-rejection regimen of meds, can cause high blood sugar.  

That necessitates blood glucose  monitoring and the self-administration of insulin. Last week I met with an endocrinologist in Fargo.  He was reassuring that the high glucose levels would return to normal once Prednisone was discontinued.

Meanwhile, for U of MN heart transplant #788, the beat goes on.