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ajs
Forum Leader
Username: Ajs

Post Number: 780
Registered: 03-2008


Posted on Wednesday, July 03, 2013 - 12:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Hey All,

Just had my six-monther at Duke on Monday with Dr Palmer. All my numbers were good, and consistent with January, except my HDL and 25-75 on the PFTs. My HDLs went from 40 to 57, and my 25-75 from 2.43 to 2.74 (2.17 a year ago). The doc was pretty happy and amazed that my 25-75 could go up so much, this far out (4.9 years). That is the small airway number, and Dr Palmer said once people get this far out, its the first thing he looks at in clinic. BOS starts in the small airways. The 2.74 matched my highest level since sometime in the first year.

He asked me what I was doing differently and other than adding Astaxanthin to my regiment, its just the hard, consistent exercise and the resulting 25 lb. weight loss. So I guess what I would say to everyone is, don't poo-poo the value of exercise. Make yourself do it to get the best chances long term. I wasn't good enough about it until last October.

Good health to all!
Double-Lung transplant at Duke on 10/27/08
Pulmonary Fibrosis with traction bronchiectasis

http://healthierlungs.com

Live each day as if you were living forever, and live each moment as if it were your last.

Hostess Risé
Board Administrator
Username: Rise

Post Number: 17776
Registered: 05-2003


Posted on Wednesday, July 03, 2013 - 04:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

GREAT news AJS

Yes exercise is so important. I am proud of all the pushups that I can do.

Did you lose a lot of belly fat? If so, do you think that was a contributing factor to improved lung function?

Keep up the Awesome Work
CF- dx at 2yrs. 2nd double lung tx-05 JMH
My Photos on Transplant Friends

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papillonbleu
Forum Leader
Username: Papillonbleu

Post Number: 2245
Registered: 10-2007


Posted on Wednesday, July 03, 2013 - 06:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I am so glad to hear that you are doing so well. The good news of others uplifts my heart with joy. I also agree in the importance of exercise. Even though I need to gain much weight, my doctors stressed that I need to exercise so as not to get weaker. As long as I do not overdo, I definitely find that exercise can usually help me to feel better.

If you do not mind me asking (as I am not a lung recipient), what is the 25-75 referring to? What does it measure exactly? What is BOS and PFT? Does HDL stand for high density lipoprotein? I am just curious and trying to understand better what others are experiencing.

May you continue to find better health and plenty of reasons to hope and smile. Blessings to you.
Bobbiejo
Forum Leader-Multivisceral
dx: GERD 1995, gastroparesis 2002, pseudo-obstruction of the bowel 2004
multivisceral transplant, 6 organs, 10/06/05
University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital

ajs
Forum Leader
Username: Ajs

Post Number: 781
Registered: 03-2008


Posted on Thursday, July 04, 2013 - 11:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Hi Bobbiejo,

The 25-75 is the part of the mandatory pulmonary function test (PFT) that measures the function of your small airways. That is generally where BOS (Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome or chronic rejection) starts. Since its impossible to get the bronchoscope in to those airways during a bronchoscopy, early detection of BOS is often predictable by this number. As I said, with patients as far out as me, that is the first number they look at during clinic.

You have the right meaning for HDL, which is your beneficial cholesterol. Over >59 is considered a negative risk factor for heart disease, in other words, a good thing.

Happy 4th of July!
Double-Lung transplant at Duke on 10/27/08
Pulmonary Fibrosis with traction bronchiectasis

http://healthierlungs.com

Live each day as if you were living forever, and live each moment as if it were your last.

papillonbleu
Forum Leader
Username: Papillonbleu

Post Number: 2247
Registered: 10-2007


Posted on Thursday, July 04, 2013 - 12:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. It makes me appreciate even more your good news and hard work to accomplish what you have.

May you also have a very Happy 4th of July!
Bobbiejo
Forum Leader-Multivisceral
dx: GERD 1995, gastroparesis 2002, pseudo-obstruction of the bowel 2004
multivisceral transplant, 6 organs, 10/06/05
University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital

Kt
Member
Username: Kt

Post Number: 21
Registered: 02-2010
Posted on Sunday, July 07, 2013 - 03:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Hi ajs,
All great news! Just wondering what you do for exercise? I received my new lungs 7 months ago and am curious about others routines.
Thanks
Cystic Fibrosis
Aussie
Hostess Risé
Board Administrator
Username: Rise

Post Number: 17780
Registered: 05-2003


Posted on Sunday, July 07, 2013 - 09:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Hi KT
Congratulations and blessings to your Donor Family.
I do not remember you sharing the great news.
CF- dx at 2yrs. 2nd double lung tx-05 JMH
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Contact: transplantbuddies@gmail.com
ajs
Forum Leader
Username: Ajs

Post Number: 783
Registered: 03-2008


Posted on Sunday, July 07, 2013 - 10:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Hi KT,

Congrats on the new lungs! Keep those Vitamin D levels up.

As far as cardio, it's mostly on my elliptical. The new thing now is interval training, so I do 30 minutes that contains 3 minute bursts to a level I have a hard time maintaining for the whole three minutes (but I do). Then I row for 30 minutes, and do 30 minutes of a floor routine I have worked out. It involves laying with your knees bent and then curling up towards your knees, while keeping your lower back on the ground. I was shown this by an old friend as a way to get great ab work without putting stress on your lower back. It also strengthens your neck.

I can now hold that position for the entire 30 minutes. No crunches, no hands behind the neck, just hold. Then in five minute intervals, I use two five pound hand weights to curl down to the floor and up, along my body.

And very frankly, I do as much 'bedroom cardio' as I can. One of the best, most fun exercises available! TMI?
Double-Lung transplant at Duke on 10/27/08
Pulmonary Fibrosis with traction bronchiectasis

http://healthierlungs.com

Live each day as if you were living forever, and live each moment as if it were your last.

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