Anna Update

I can’t remember when I last posted about Anna so I figured it’s time to write about her. She and her sweet dog are here in Colorado living with me and my husband. She is doing better now than she has in a long time. Her recovery from this second lung transplant was harder than her last but the upside is she didn’t get cancer this time (let’s hope it stays that way!). So far, she is rejection and infection free. She is gaining weight and has not used her gj-tube (a port on her abdomen to put formula into her stomach) in a few months. That alone is a good sign.

She just started taking Trikafta, the new breakthrough medication for cystic fibrosis. The hope is it will correct what cf screws up which should mean fewer sinus, digestive, and pancreatic issues for Anna. It won’t do too much for her lungs since they have the dna of the donor and don’t have cf but it should help her body to be overall healthier which should translate into a longer life. We hope so!

Although Anna is still living at home (rarely the goal of an almost 29 year old!), she is getting closer to one day being on her own again. Being physically able to work enough to support herself is a challenge right now. She continues to teach English online and has added a new venture. She is now a Pampered Chef consultant! Needless to say, I am beginning to acquire a bunch of kitchen products. 😉 Anna is, too! It warms my heart to see her enthusiasm for the products and for her customers. Since everything is being done online anyone can participate. If you’re interested in hosting a party or buying products to make cooking more enjoyable, contact Anna through her Pampered Chef Site.

For me, it feels relaxing to be on this side of her second transplant journey. We are home, there’s more predictability (not that any of us really know what’s going to happen but I think you know what I mean), and I’m not living in the is-she-going-to-make-it space. COVID hasn’t posed as big of an issue as you might think. It does make it more difficult for Anna to work but she is figuring out things she can do that minimize her contact with people. We are well-versed in virus-fighting protocols and doing our best to keep viruses and bacteria out of our home. So far, we’re all doing well. I hope you are, too!