What you don't see
First let me admit, this is very hard for me to write. I am not a writer, I am a photographer. Please forgive my inadequate storytelling skills. Thank you again, Carrie, for allowing me to see a glimpse of your life. Here it goes!
I name this section "What you don't see", because I am going to share with you what a double lung transplant experiences in the mornings. Now I am not sure if everyone with these medical issue endures the same things, I can only share what Carrie has to do. I want to show you the hard stuff.
Mornings are different when you have a transplant.
Cuddle time with Charlie
Picture 1: AM Cuddles with Charlie
She takes the time to cuddle with her dogs Max and Charlie.
Max Needs Cuddles Too
Picture 2: Max Needs Cuddles Too
Pulling Supplies
Picture 3: Pulling Supplies
Before she proceeds her daily routine, she has to pull her supplies, which is a community effort with Max.
Community Effort
Picture 4: Community Effort
The Gloves
Picture 5: Putting on the Gloves
After pulling the supplies, she puts on gloves to keep the open wounds in her body clean.
The first cleaning is for the Tri-Fusion Catheter, it is used for the Photopheresis machine, which I will show you in another chapter.
Cleaning Tri-Fusion Catheter 1
Picture 6: Cleaning Tri-Fusion Catheter 1
Cleaning Tri-Fusion Catheter 2
Picture 7: Picture 6: Cleaning Tri-Fusion Catheter 2
Cleaning Tri-Fusion Catheter 3
Picture 8: Cleaning Tri-Fusion Catheter 3
She is re-applying the bandage which holds it in place.
Cleaning Tri-Fusion Catheter 4 All Done
Picture 9: Cleaning Tri-Fusion Catheter 4 All Done
Next is the Porthacath cleaning. The Prothacath is for intravenous medications. Carrie is in and out of hospitals and doctor offices, so it was easier to give her a Porthacath then the constant injections that she would of have to endure.
Flushing the Port
Picture 10: Flushing the Port
All Done Flushing Port
Picture 11: All Done Flushing Port
Next Step Lung Medication
Picture 12: Next Step Lung Medication
In order to breath, she must take multiple medicines for a variety of reasons to keep her lungs healthy and working.
Blood Check Too
Picture 13: Blood Check Too
Carrie must also check her blood sugars. This is a pic of her getting ready to do the that.
Breath In and Breath Out
Picture 14: Breath In and Breath Out
A nebulizer is used to do the medicating. Unfortunately, she has to sit here for a period of time. So what do you do to kill the time?
Coloring and Cuddling
Picture 15: Coloring and Cuddling
She kills the time cuddling with Max and coloring. She is a pretty good artist.
Pretty Horse
Picture 16: Pretty Horse
Picture 17: Make-up Time
Now its time to look good........make-up time.
And We are OFF
Picture 18: And We are OFF
After her routine, she is off to doctor appointments for the day!