I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Transplant Discussion => Topic started by: okarol on December 14, 2009, 09:27:59 PM
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I didn't post earlier because I didn't want to jinx it - but the last message I got looks VERY good!
He was called this morning for a kidney/pancreas transplant.
7:26 AM PST wallyz commented on his status:
"We'll know by 10:00 PST. Thanks everybody."
9:08 AM PST wallyz commented on his status:
"It's a go so far. Heading into the hospital @11 AM PST."
2:20 PM PST wallyz: "Had a couple people refer to this as a Christmas Miracle- I would prefer a Hannukah miracle, where the Kidney and pancreas last eight times as long as anyone expects. Thanks everyone."
3:09 PM wallyz: "Going to Surgery @ 5:00 PM PST. Thanks everyone."
7:15 PM PST
Dana commented on his status:
"he is in surgery now and will be done sometime between midnight and 2am. The doctor says the organs look great and that he is in great shape going in, so everything seems right on track."
:pray; :2thumbsup; :cheer:
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Thank you, Karol, for posting this! I had been thinking of posting it too, but didn't want to post it too soon! Here's hoping for a smooth surgery and recovery for our friend, Wallyz!
:bandance; :bandance; :cheer: :cheer: :bandance; :bandance;
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This is SO exciting
:cheer: :bandance; :clap; :bestwishes;
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Yippee, that is so wonderful. Pray all goes well for him. :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;
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:yahoo; wonderful news :yahoo;
Will be keeping you in my thoughts.
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praying and wishing for the most positive outcomes!! Go Wally Go Wally....hang in there!
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I am so happy for wallyz. I hope everything is going well.
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:bandance; :clap; :2thumbsup;
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Great news!.... :bandance;
Thinking of, and praying for you, Wally... And of course, keping the donor family in my thoughts, too...
Love... :grouphug;
Darth...
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about time for poor Wally!! Can understand karol not wanting to jinx it!!! I just checked in to see if there was an update... hopefully he wakes up happy as larry with a working kidney and pancreas!! My fingers are crossed for him and I'm so excited that FINALLY this is the one for him!!!!!
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Wishing you all the best Wally. :2thumbsup;
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Woot!
:bandance; :cheer: :bandance; :cheer:
Aleta
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Fantastic! :flower; :bandance; :flower;
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:yahoo; :2thumbsup; :grouphug;
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:bandance;
Hurray!
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:bandance; :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;
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4:20 am PST
Dana updated:
Let everyone know that Brian is out of surgery and beginning to make urine! His blood sugars are good and they stopped IV insulin. He looks like hell, but he's going to be better than ever when he heals!
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such great news...... :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
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So thrilled for him! He has had a tough time with calls and then not getting the organs. So yea! for Wallyz and praying for a great recover :cuddle;
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I am planning on visiting him this Saturday. Please let me know if any of you want me to deliver any messages to him. Feel free to PM me!
KarenInWA
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Here are the latest updates from Mrs. Wallyz....
11:00 AM PST - Brian had his ventilator tube removed so he can talk now. He says thanks for all the prayers, he's happy to be peeing, he feels horrible and he's greatful for all the support.
He has been cracking lame jokes this whole time - the only time it stopped was when the ventilator tube was in.
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:) :) :)
Thanks! I am so happy! :cheer:
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WOW!!!! This is incredible news! At last, at last!
:cheer: :bandance; :cheer: :bandance; :cheer:
Congrats, Wallyz. Keep the jokes coming - don't let that ventilator tube stop you! ;)
:bestwishes;
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:flower;
:yahoo; :yahoo; :yahoo;
:bandance;
Good news, good news!
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:bow; :bow; :bow; :bow; :bow;
I think some of us have been more on tenderhooks for him to get the organs than he has!!!
:bow; :bow; :bow; :bow; :bow;
I'm so happy this is the best news of the month for me. I'm overjoyed he is peeing and sugars are great - could be the start of a whole new wonderful life for Brian, and that's just sensational.
Another miracle for the IHD crew!
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Wally you must have been living right. Congratulations!!!!!
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What a Beautiful Gift, to receive, this Holiday Season!
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Latest FB Status Updates...
From Brian/Wallyz: Hey everyone. I am still in critical care, hoping to move up to the transplant ward today. Thanks for all the prayers. Kidney is working well, Pancreas alittle less so. Thanks Pastor Craig and Johhny Barbosa for stopping by.
From Dana/Mrs. Wallyz: Brian is staying in CCU until tomorrow for now. He says he thinks he must be getting better because he's getting irritable (back to normal, I say). The pancreas still needs some insulin assistance, but the kidney is working away.
:2thumbsup; :clap; :cheer:
KarenInWA
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:pray; Sending good thoughts!! :cheer:
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Didn't see this post till today, but found out on Facebook from KarenWA.
I hope all went well and that he feels a big difference now like I did.
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Dana posted this late last night: Brian was moved out of CCU to room 1766 tonight (17th floor). He walked some down the hallway today and sat in the recliner for awhile. Things are moving forward! He'll be in the hospital for about 10 days and then spending a couple weeks close to it so he can make daily appointments there for IV treatments. He might be home for Christmas presents, though!
Whoo-hoo!!! :cheer: :cheer: :yahoo; :bandance; :bandance;
KarenInWA
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This is just the best Christmas news I have heard. Thank to all who are keeping us updated. I pray everyday finds him a little better and the kidney and pancreas do their thing.
Karen, it is wonderful that you are going to visit him :cuddle; You just have to love IHD friends! :2thumbsup; Give him lots of hugs from all of us.
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Another update from Brian!
I am up in the transplant ward. My parents are here, Mike and Jen Grimshaw stopped by. Everything is going well so far. Thanks for all the prayer.
:)
KarenInWA
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That's good news!
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I am happy to report that even major surgery cannot keep Brian down for long!
The latest update from Dana:
Good news - Brian took 3 walks today and got his NG tube out! Bad news - I almost barfed in the elevator when standing behind a lady with all her hair in one big funky matted dreadlock.
:clap; :clap; :clap;
KarenInWA
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Much better to walk around w/o the NG tube. Mine had to stay in longer, glad Brian is doing much better than my experience and a couple other members.
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Hey everybody- Thanks so much for the support. Things are going well.
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Good to hear...... keep us updated.... today is your day....... :bow; :bow; :cuddle;
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Wallyz, I think I hsve the saying/spelling correct that fits. "Carpe Deiem" French for seize the day.
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I am happy to report that even major surgery cannot keep Brian down for long!
The latest update from Dana:
Good news - Brian took 3 walks today and got his NG tube out! Bad news - I almost barfed in the elevator when standing behind a lady with all her hair in one big funky matted dreadlock.
:clap; :clap; :clap;
KarenInWA
:rofl; :rofl; :rofl;
Hey everybody- Thanks so much for the support. Things are going well.
Yeah baby!! :yahoo;
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wallyz time to change that avatar because the tables are now turned on those drinks are they not?!!!
DRINK FOR ALL OF US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap; :clap; :clap; :clap; :yahoo; :yahoo; :yahoo; :yahoo;
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No kidding, RichardMel. i'll work on it.Creatnine has gone from 7.29 before the surgery to 7.24, to 4.98 to 3 to 2.21. BUN is down to 37 I'm still on supplemental insulin, because I am taking a lot of prednisone. I finally got good sleep last night, which was amazing. This is hard, but I am already enjoying not dialyzing.
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:bandance;
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:2thumbsup; :2thumbsup; :2thumbsup;
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Sounds like everything is going great....... looking forward to your new avatar....... :clap;
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Glad your doing better and hopefully no more insulin ASAP, but understand why you need some for a bit.
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Oh Wallyz, I just now saw this post!!!! Yea!!!! :clap; :clap; I am SOOOOO happy for you! :yahoo; :yahoo; :yahoo; :yahoo;
It is hard, but it sounds like you're doing great! Keep us informed on your progress! :beer1; :cuddle;
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Hey everyone - I visited Brian in the hospital today. He says he feels like he's been hit by a mack truck, and is having a hard time with the recovery, but understands that it will take some time. He is very thankful for everyones support and prayers! To all of you who have been through the k/p transplant, please let him know how your experience went! I know he's on a lot of meds (okay, duh!) in hopes that his body doesn't recognize his new organs as "foreign". Here's hoping the greencard process goes smoothly, and that they pass the citizenship test with flying colors! :)
KarenInWA
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Karen, tell him that even with all the complications I went through and am still recovering from, I still feel sooooooo much better now than I did on dialysis. I was on the run yesterday doing errands and chores for 13 straight hours. If I had done that while still on dialysis, I'd have spent the next day puking my guts out, and unable to get out of bed. Now - I just slept in an extra hour or so, and got up and did more chores! Once they get his meds adjusted, he's going to feel great!
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Karen, does the hospital have e-mail cards or email to patients?
Well hopefully they gave Brian a small pillow to hold over the abdomen when laughing (Hurts like hell), coughing, sneezing), or well even passing gas that doctors want you to do before eating solid foods. As far as my experience has gone, I have no regrets of getting a transplant. All my problems seem mostly with after care/ lack of, but would do it again because I felt so much better. The more walking the better even though it can get boring due to the same scenery.. When allowed to eat, start off slow, build your way up, the meds may make you :puke; when it comes to eating solid food again.
Can't think of to much right now
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Dana's latest FB status says she's skipping church so she can take the kids to go see him. Yay!!! That will be reassuring for them, and I am sure it will lift Brian's spirits immensley. Nothing like speeding up the healing with a child's love and laughter! :cuddle;
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That will be a good thing. I wouldn't see it as a problem skipping church either to go see him and taking the kids to see him, that should be an understandable situation for most at their church. If kids get out of and, puch the morphine button! :rofl; :rofl; You won't care in a few minutes :rofl;
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It will all be worth it Wallyz. Good Luck! What a Christmas present.
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Just saw this thread...YEAH Wallyz!!! What a great Christmas gift! Hope you start feeling better soon, it gets easier day by day! CONGRATS!!!vv :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;
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I hope everything's going well, Wallyz!! Take care!!!
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Hey Everyone,
Please keep Brian in your thoughts and prayers. Latest FB updates told of him experiencing pain, having an emergency CT scan, which found an infection in his small intestine. He's back to being hooked up to a bunch of tubes, including the NG tube. He's also back in CCU for closer monitoring. They did a needle aspiration around the kidney, to make sure there is no infection there. This all was probably caused by a leak during surgery. :'(
Prayers and positive thoughts so all this medicine and care will get him healthy and happy by the new year.
KarenInWA
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I was about to leave you a message on FB asking about Brian Karen. Sorry to hear that Brian is having trouble, but seems like we all have some sort of trouble with this transplant post surgery due to it beingmore complicated. Some problems are minor, while some maybe major with each patient. Hopefully they have a small Christmas Tree in his room or some sort of decorations.
Get Well Brian.
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Hang in there, Brian. It will be worth it!
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Wow wow wow! I hope the healing speeds up so you can go home soon. What a wonderful Christmas gift. :snowman;
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Good thoughts and prayers to you and your family Wallyz!!!!!! :pray; :pray;
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Any updates on wallyz? I have been keeping a good thought for him.
Feel better, wallyz. :bestwishes; :grouphug;
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Any updates on wallyz? I have been keeping a good thought for him.
Feel better, wallyz. :bestwishes; :grouphug;
well, the full update . I got my organs on the 15th. I progressed well until the 20th. P. The 21 saw me with some pain and pressue that increased until early on the 23rd when I was taken down to cr and intervatioal radiiology, where they drained over 700ml of infected
fluid. I spent a night I'n the ccu. They let me backup stairs nextt
day. I stayed up on the transplant ward until the 27 th. I then had emergency surgergy to repaif
r two holes in my abdomen In bed since then. Total fluid drained off:4200
ml from two different drains . Estimated time until discharge: 1 1/2 weeks, 4 weeks total.
Creattine 1,72 bun 27
I now have a Montgomery closure on my abdomen which wll take
a lot longer to heal,
Edited: Fixed quote tag error - okarol/admin
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Glad to hear from you Wallyz, but sorry to hear what has happened. First time hearing about that closure though. Hope blood sugar is in control now though.
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:pray; Wow Wallyz - I hope things get better soon!
:cuddle; :cuddle; :cuddle;
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Thinking of you Wallyz - one day at a time mate - you'll get there.
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:cuddle;
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Sending good thoughts your way wallyz and hoping for speedy ,or at least effective, healing. :cuddle;
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It's a new year and hopefully a new and better dawn for you mate. Have been praying for you to get a call that stuck and that's finally happened... now moving on to quick healing and no more bloody problems!!! I want you to post pics of you with a bloody huge Venti coffee ASAP!!!! :bow; :bow; :bow; :bow;
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Wallyz -- keeping you in my prayers :pray; Hoping for a little healing every day. Miss your posts! :cuddle;
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Sorry to hear it's been so rough, Wallyz. I hope you start feeling better soon. You dual transplant recipients are a strong lot!
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Sorry its been so rough- :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug;
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Wallyz...
Hey folks, I am still off food and
Still recovering slowly thanks for all your continued prayers.
2 hours ago via Facebook for iPhone
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Hey Everyone,
Hard times for Brian. His latest FB update:
"More surgery to morrow. Still haven't stopped the leak. Probably lost pancreas ttrying to save kidney.,:"
And from Dana:
"Doctors found another hole and Brian is going back into surgery. They think the pancreas must have some necrotic tissue, so they will likely remove it. Urgent prayer requested!
Surgery will happen tomorrow. Most likely will have to remove pancreas, but there is a tiny chance it could be saved (pray for miracle here). Kidney should survive all this, so at least we have that. Spirits are low :("
So, surgery is on Tuesday, Jan 5th. Please, pray, sing, yell, do a kidney/pancreas dance, whatever spiritual energy works for you. Just do it and send that energy to Seattle, to help save that pancreas and help that kidney remain strong and functioning!!! He's come too far to have this happen. :boxing;
Thank you,
KarenInWA
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Sorry to hear abou this about Wallyz Karen. I didn't see that you put an update on FB.
Hopefully that can manage to save both.
Always seems they do things so slowly at such an important time doesn't it?
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Thinking of you both
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:pray; Praying for healing and recovery - I am sorry it's been so tough.
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:grouphug; to Brian and Dana. My thoughts and hopes and energy and prayers are on their way.
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:stressed; I am thinking of you both and I am sending prayers and love your way.
Let us know how it went.
D :flower;
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Concentrating positive thoughts and hopes on a miracle for Wallyz.
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Thinking of you to-day.
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Thinking about you today, Wallyz!!!! :pray;
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man of all the folks I know wallyz just doesn't deserve this!!! So badly sending positive vibes and thoughts that the Pancreas can be saved and this latest surgery goes OK!
Thanks for keeping us updated!!
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Hello again,
The pancreas didn't make it. From Dana's FB:
"Surgery is finished and we lost the pancreas. We prayed for it to be a clear decision and it was, so now we heal and try to remember that we still have a working kidney. Brian still needs prayer, guys."
So now we just need to pray and send positive vibes/thoughts to help him have a speedy, healthy recovery. He does have that working kidney, and that is indeed a Godsend. Now we need him to be back at home so he can be with his family, and of course his computer so he can post here again! May that kidney give him many years of freedom from the machine!
KarenInWA
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My deepest condolences on your pancreas, wallyz! But we are grateful for that beautiful kidney. Go Kidney Go!!!!! :cuddle;
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So sorry to hear this news. :(
:grouphug; Hoping for a speedy recovery as you look forward, Brian. Freedom from dialysis is indeed a wonderful thing. Long may it continue.
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Sorry to hear about Brian Karen. On the one positive thing is that at least he did not feel the independence of not taking insulin and then having the pancreas fail in a short time frame. I hope he can now heal fast and feel better with a working kidney.
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I hope you recover soon Brian, and can come home. Best wishes to you! :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug;
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:embarassed: so sorry to here..... I am glad the kidney is still going.
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Happy to hear about the kidney hanging in there. I'll be Keeping Brian, Dana and their family in my thoughts and prayers. Linda
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:grouphug;
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Hey Everyone,
Word is Brian will be going home soon - maybe even today! If not today, then for sure Monday or Tuesday. Wishing him a very happy, loving, tear-inducing (how could it not be?), warm, comforting homecoming. Also, may his recovery continue to go on the right track. I bet it will be kind of weird for him to to sleep in his own bed and *not* be attached to the machine anymore. However, I'm sure he will get used to that in no time!
Welcome home, Brian!!!
:cuddle; :beer1;
KarenInWA
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Thanks Karen,
That is good news that he finally get's to go home. Hope your feeling a lot better Brian.
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:welcomesign; home~
:2thumbsup; :2thumbsup;
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Yay
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And the sound of the day for Brian is..... aaahhhhhhh. That's the sound you make after sitting on any furniture that belongs to you after being in those ridiculous beds at the hospital. Welcome Home Brian!!!!!!!
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Hello Again,
Ok, he didn't get to go home, BUT, he is on the right track! He is staying in a hotel nearby the hospital, I believe it is a hotel speciifically for the hospital. I know of one other kidney transplant patient who stayed there, as well. It is easier to stay there due to the daily appointments he will be having for a while. Also, Brian is a bit week from being in the hospital for 5 weeks, so he's not quite ready to go home yet. He lives about 45 minutes away from the hospital (and that's when the traffic is good), so this is better given the circumstances. Still, it beats sleeping in a hospital bed and having to wear one of those god-awful gowns! I am sure he is enjoying sleeping in a comfortable bed, with no constant interruptions from nurses and other hospital personnel. I bet the tv in there is better, too. I understand he watched football today. :)
KarenInWA
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Well that is still good Karen. My tx center has a center for paitents to stay at to, but I went home instead and that ride home was awful with bumbs in the road, but getting back was easy using the commuter train. I hope he has someone staying with him for most of the day for company and to help him get to the hospital since he is weak, I needed help. Sometimes the mind says I can till you are actually doing it.
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Home. Finally. Unfortunately filled with lots and lots of family, so not as restful as one might hope. an overview of the whole process is in order I think.
Dec 13: Got the call
Dec 14-15 Operation receiving Kidney and pancreas from cadaver donor.
Dec 23 ileus of the bowel that required drains to be inserted
Dec 28 Abdominal surgery to repair pancreas graft
Jan 5 Abdominal surgery to remove pancreas.
Jan 17 released from hospital.
35 days later, here we are.
Kidney is functioning well, (Creatinine 1.42, BUN 20) but I am weak as crap.
I have an open incision with a montgomery closure, so the scar will be impressive.
Thanks for all the support and prayers. Keep fighting, keep loving each other and your loved ones.
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Wallyz, use the transplant to kicksome people out :2thumbsup; Say it's a saftey concern for you, especially if someone is sniffilling or coughing.
Coming home is suppose to be nice and relaxing :2thumbsup;
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Yes, a transplant during cold and flu season is a good reason to be left alone so you can rest.
Take care, Brian. We are all so happy for you. :beer1;
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Glad you are home. You have had an interesting journey. I hate the pancreas didn't work out, but am thrilled the kidney is doing well. Now I hope you can get the rest you need and start to get your strength back. And tell the family you love them but go home. :rofl; Take care and congrats on a new kidney :2thumbsup;
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How are you doing? I missed some of when you got home because we found out Jenna was in rejection that weekend. It's been a blur ever since. I am glad you got though all the challenges thrown you way. Best wishes to you! :cuddle;