Thoughts on getting a new heart: it's a team effort

After my most recent visit to the U of MN Heart Clinic in Minneapolis last month, I came home thinking how little I know about heart transplant after care. 

I have become aware that everything that happens to the other organ systems post-transplant is interrelated. 

A heart transplant can cause a myriad of unexpected consequences.

The anti-rejection medications interact with other medications and issues arise.  The suppression of the immune system is unpredictable and you can more readily develop infections from bacteria, viruses and fungi.

The point is I don't know what I don't know. Fortunately, the cardio team finds answers.  Experience counts. And they all have the help of other transplant team consultants.

 I now have

--one principal cardiologist and a host of heart consultants (the cardio team has the final say about my care and treatment); 

--a nephrologist for my kidneys, which seem to have issues that are likely drug induced based on my regimen of the anti-rejection meds;

--an infectious disease doc, sorting out my pneumonia susceptibility; 

--a dermatologist, sorting out pre-cancerous lesions;

--an endocrinologist, helping me with steroid induced diabetes;

--an ophthalmologist, helping with drug induced eye issues,  and 

--a consulting transplant pharmacist.  

That's at least a thimble full.  There will undoubtedly be more.

Every day brings a challenge and a new issue, it seems.  No one promised fair winds and following seas.  The new heart is only the first step.  Clearly, it takes knowledge and work to maintain and to keep the gift of a new heart. 

Without the help and support of my caregiving wife, I literally would not be here. She is at once: a factotum; an advocate, ever  vigilant and an effective cross examiner of the team of doctors and nurses.  She gets answers and results.

It takes time to accept the reality of the constant vigilance and preparedness.  My next scheduled clinic follow up is later this month.

Over the drill ground (called the grinder) at Coronado, California, home of Navy SEAL training, there is a slogan on the building that fronts the drill area:  

                                The only easy day was yesterday.

The SEALs are a "mission driven" outfit.  When a SEAL team completes a mission, and survives--often in the face of death--the team faces a new day and a new mission.  The implication is that surviving yesterday guarantees no easy future.  So "the only easy day was yesterday."

The slogan takes on new meaning for me with each passing day. The saying was first used when the SEAL teams were formed during the Kennedy Administration. 

If it's good enough for them, it is more than good enough for me.