I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Transplant Discussion => Topic started by: Phraxis on July 18, 2009, 04:10:37 PM

Title: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on July 18, 2009, 04:10:37 PM
Not having got "used" to dialysis -- does one ever? I start a new journey.

Does a transplant mean I don't get to post? (not really a serious question)
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: willieandwinnie on July 18, 2009, 04:30:56 PM
 :cheer: Congratulations Phraxis  :cheer: Please keep us posted.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: willowtreewren on July 18, 2009, 05:44:48 PM
Woo Hoo! Wonderful news!  :clap; :clap;

 :bandance; :cheer: :bandance; :cheer: :bandance;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: kellyt on July 18, 2009, 06:48:21 PM
 :bandance;    Congratulations!  Aug. 12th will be here before you know it!   
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Hanify on July 18, 2009, 07:00:31 PM
Of course you can always post!  How exiting.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: rookiegirl on July 19, 2009, 04:32:48 AM
Wow! Congrats...pray all goes well.  Please continue to post to let us know how you are doing.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Romona on July 19, 2009, 06:32:06 AM
 :yahoo; I am so happy for you!!
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Des on July 20, 2009, 07:39:02 AM
So exciting.... and scary..... good luck and I hope everything goes according to plan.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: paris on July 20, 2009, 10:03:36 AM
I'll mark the 12th on my calendar and you will be in our thoughts and prayers that day.  I am very excited for you.  Post often and share this journey.   :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on July 24, 2009, 08:30:46 AM
an update

The transplant team has finally "surfaced" after no contact for more than two months. The Commander (my sister is a naval officer and donating the kidney) took action and it took exactly 4 minutes for a phone call to be received.  We now have all the requirements and are back on track.

In their defence they complete eight, a capital 8, transplants yesterday. The benefits of "swapping" among non compatible partners.  A new program that is showing great results in BC, Canada.

For my part, keeping busy with mini golf, bingo and bowling. A friend has committed to keeping me distracted with such important activities.  Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on August 13, 2009, 10:09:46 AM
UPDATE

A minor surgical mistep in the initial laphrascopy procedure to remove the kidney resulted in a blood vessal being punctured obscuring the view so the transplant was halted in a conservative move to rpotect the donor. Both of us a doing well and the transplant will likely occur in Sept but have no date yet.

Will update as developments occur.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: okarol on August 13, 2009, 10:12:24 AM

OMG that's scary - I hope your sister is okay. This must be very difficult for you and your family. I hope it all works out in Sept.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: monrein on August 13, 2009, 10:16:09 AM
Very scary.  Will she be going with laproscopic next time also?
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: paris on August 13, 2009, 01:31:50 PM
How is your sister?  There always seems to be "one more thing" when it comes to this disease.  I am sorry for the delay. I am sure that was a let down.  Keep us updated so we know your new kidney date   :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on August 13, 2009, 02:42:52 PM
Tiff, sister and donor, is doing very well. Well enough to make it quite uncomfortable for the surgeon while he explained what happened. She can be quite "feisty" -- she would hate me calling it that.

We are busy making plans to assemble again for the next round.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: willieandwinnie on August 13, 2009, 02:49:12 PM
 :Kit n Stik; Tell your sister to do one of these on those doctors. Please keep us posted on how you are both doing.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: kellyt on August 13, 2009, 08:19:54 PM
Give her a hug from us when you get a chance.  She's a trooper.  Keep us informed of the new date.  Sorry for the delay my Friend.  b :cuddle;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Chris on August 13, 2009, 09:14:57 PM
Thought I posted here before. Anyway, sorry tohear about problems, but better to be safe than sorry.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road - New date set Sept 16th
Post by: Phraxis on August 29, 2009, 12:18:59 PM
We got word of Friday, the new date will be Sept 16th. So after our trial run, we are ready to go again.

While I wait, I have been gripped by lethargy. I am putting off meetings, avoiding projects, sleeping in and generally goofing off. Understandable, I suppose but unlike me.

On the humourous front, in response to the h1n1 scare my office has decided to implement a decomtamination project. And woe to he/she that walks into the office with a sniffle.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: okarol on August 29, 2009, 01:48:14 PM
 :2thumbsup; Wow that's not too far off! I hope things work out this time.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: lola on August 29, 2009, 02:02:40 PM
2nd times a charm :grouphug;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Rerun on August 29, 2009, 02:18:28 PM
Better luck this time and tell the surgeon to put his glasses on this time!

                 :Kit n Stik;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: willieandwinnie on August 29, 2009, 03:14:09 PM
 :yahoo; Can't wait for updates.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Hanify on August 29, 2009, 05:31:36 PM
Rest as much as you need to.  Listen to your body.  It's not too far to wait.  Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on September 07, 2009, 09:31:14 AM
So last week I notice a little tickle that develops into sniffles -- a cold. Nothing serious. Unless of course one is planning to have a . . . transplant!!

I am resting but all the things that I used to do to overcome a rare cold, i.e drink plenty of fluids etc are off the menu. My intellect tells me all will be well. I have overcome, well more correctly ignored, a minor illness like this many times. But the animal part of me is a swirl of conjecture and "what if".

So I have a mission. One week to shake this cold.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Hanify on September 07, 2009, 03:27:42 PM
Be positive and rest al lot.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on September 12, 2009, 06:05:08 PM
Cold gone. Clan arriving starting tomorrow. Preparations made including cabbage rolls (idea taken from another poster but unable to recall who, so my apologies to it's orginator). All is ready for Wednesday.

Thank you for all your words of encouragement.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: okarol on September 12, 2009, 07:02:04 PM
 :yahoo; Good luck!!!
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: paris on September 12, 2009, 07:23:34 PM
Good luck. We will all be waiting to hear how it all goes.    :2thumbsup;       I made cabbage rolls this week. Del talked about them a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't stop thinking about them, so made a big batch.  So, I raise my cabbage roll to you and toast to your new kidney!   :clap; 
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: willowtreewren on September 13, 2009, 11:29:17 AM
 :thumbup; :thumbup; :thumbup;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: tyefly on September 13, 2009, 02:18:41 PM
   Iam so jealous......   cant wait to hear how well everything goes.......    :clap;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: willieandwinnie on September 13, 2009, 02:21:40 PM
 :pray;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Jessmomto3 on September 13, 2009, 07:09:03 PM
Saying prayers all goes well this time around!   :bestwishes; 
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on September 21, 2009, 03:27:56 PM
Everything went fantastic. Both Tiff (donor) and I are fine, and the new kidney is some kind of UBER-kidney with creatine level at 115.

PS now I am looking for animation team to produce series of shorts about CKD, dialysis, transplant. (Yes woke up with head clear as a bell, even made phone call before painkillers knocked me back out)
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: okarol on September 21, 2009, 03:40:57 PM
 :bandance; Yay Phraxis!
I am so glad to hear you came through it ok!
Tell your sister I think she is a Goddess!
Congrats and best wishes for a speedy recovery for you both!
 :yahoo; :yahoo; :yahoo;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: monrein on September 21, 2009, 04:07:45 PM
Great news Phraxis!!!   All the best to you and Tiff.  Keep us in the loop as you continue to enjoy your newfound health.   :beer1;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: willowtreewren on September 21, 2009, 04:09:11 PM
Super!!!!!

 :flower;

This is just great news, Phraxis!

Hugs to your sister AND to you!  :grouphug;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Des on September 21, 2009, 11:35:42 PM
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!

Get well soon.....!
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Jessmomto3 on September 22, 2009, 12:53:29 PM
 :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;

YAY!  That is awesome!   :cheer: :cheer:
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Hanify on September 26, 2009, 09:56:10 PM
Yahoo.  How exiting.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: sico on September 27, 2009, 04:29:49 AM
Congratulations Phraxis, how cool is your sister?
I hope things continue to go well for you and that new kidney.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: lola on September 27, 2009, 06:30:04 AM
 :bandance; :bandance; :bandance; :bandance; :flower;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on October 09, 2009, 10:42:18 PM
Three week update.

Feeling fantastic! Head clear and data coming back. Incision healing and perma cath gone. Had first shower in nine months -- it took two hours and was glorious.

Small scare ten days ago with creatinine level spiking but aggressive and immediate treatment and all was put in order. Now level back to 113. it was actually a good thing to have gone through the process so early, eliminates the unknown. But those steroids are something to behold-- I mean the joke is "Guy on steroids,NOT a good picture." But I just stayed low and let someone run interferance for me for the week.

I am walking, eating and sleeping. Expect to be cleared to return to work Nov 2nd.

Sister update. She is back at work and kicking butt. Though she had them put a couch in her office for napping. She is most definately the "tuff" one in our clan.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: rose1999 on October 10, 2009, 01:10:49 AM
 :bandance; fantastic, keep on doing what you are both doing. Love and healing wishes  to you both  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Chris on October 10, 2009, 02:57:57 PM
Good tohear. Wow that's a long time without a shower! I agree, washing up is just not the same.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: kellyt on October 11, 2009, 05:20:52 PM
Excellent news!  I'm super glad your sister is doing well, too.  The couch was a great idea.  My donor (sis-in-law) said she was super for weeks after surgery.

Keep the updates coming!   :clap;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: okarol on October 11, 2009, 11:37:39 PM
 :yahoo; Yeah! I needed this good news - Keep drinking water and healing - best wishes to you and sis's kidney!
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on October 30, 2009, 03:45:27 PM
Update Oct 30th

last bit of plastic, stent, removed. Nice relief but when I signed consent for surgery no one mentioned the eight inch stent and its removal I assure you -- I would have remembered that!  :sarcasm;

I am feeling great, green lit for graduated execise. Sister is doing fantastic. Back to work on Monday. My Dad painted my office while he was helping me these past six weeks. He is returning home -- Mom wants her chef back.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: okarol on October 30, 2009, 03:47:30 PM
 :clap; Great!!
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: sico on October 30, 2009, 05:14:26 PM
Good to hear. :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: paris on October 30, 2009, 06:13:09 PM
Nice to hear good news    :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on November 16, 2009, 09:07:55 PM
November 16th, 2009 update

60 days post transplant feeling great but for a a minor case of neural toxcity from the tac covered in an post. Rain is limiting my walking but I am doing stairs.

Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Hanify on November 17, 2009, 02:38:09 AM
Wow.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on February 27, 2010, 09:35:50 PM
Coming up on six months, And everything is going great. Going to return to the gym and even start yoga as I promised Tif (sister who gave me this uber kidney)

I have to express my gratitude to all participants in the forumn, you have all  been a great comfort and facilitator of learning for me.

THANKS!
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Chris on February 27, 2010, 10:42:15 PM
Phraxis, just start slowly and work your way up when doing ab work. It maybe painful at first, but the more you build up to, the better and easier it will be.
Good Luck
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: okarol on February 28, 2010, 02:54:21 AM
 :yahoo; Great! Best wishes to you and Tif!  :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: monrein on February 28, 2010, 05:57:57 AM
So great to hear how well you're doing..and the yoga is a terrific idea.  All the best to you and your sister. 
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: sico on March 01, 2010, 11:30:33 PM
I can only hope my outcome will be something like yours post transplant. Thanks for the update.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on March 16, 2010, 08:00:28 PM
Six months, and all is going great!

Was sent home from clinic with exhortation to keep doing what I am doing, and "don't screw it up!"

Thanks again for all your kindness.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: okarol on March 16, 2010, 10:34:42 PM
 :thx; Love hearing the update! :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Phraxis on August 25, 2010, 03:36:23 AM
Despite the warning that nothing has been posted in the thread for 120 days, I am going to share the celebration of approaching 12 months post transplant.

Tiff celebrated by completing the 125 km Great Canadian Death Race. Her team finished in 18 hours. Nothing says "recovery" like a brisk 22 km run through the mountains . I was on babysitting duty.

Swam for the first time -- wow I never thought 100 m could be so far.

Kidney function and all levels described as "perfect, just like always".

Tiff was honoured at our local Kidney Walk  (she was teased about her lack of preparation as she showed up with gladiator sandals but then as above she did not really see the 5 km as much of a challenge)

I will repeat my gratitude to all who post here and add their support, it has been a great help to me this past year.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: Sunny on August 25, 2010, 01:12:27 PM
Wow!
Sounds like you and your sister are doing very well. Gives us all hope.
Title: Re: Transplant Scheduled for August 12th - a new road
Post by: okarol on August 29, 2010, 02:03:26 PM
 :thumbup; :thumbup; :thumbup; Congrats to Tiff - she's an amazing person - LIVING DONORS ROCK!

I am so happy to hear how well it's going!  :yahoo;