I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Transplant Discussion => Topic started by: Nan on February 26, 2008, 01:42:26 PM

Title: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Nan on February 26, 2008, 01:42:26 PM
First off....I have not been on line for two weeks, and was shocked at the loss of dear Susie, my heart aches for her family.  May she rest in painless sleep. What a woman.
On Feb. 12 I had my kidney transplant, it was a very successful surgery and the first three days were the biggest "high" of my life...then the DRUGS got hold of me......the shaking...depression..OMG I thought I was dying.  Each day gets better now....the doses are slowly going down and controlled, I guess I am very sensitive to drug reactions.  Pain has been easy to deal with....it's the drugs that are my demon.  It is very difficult to even type because of the shaking.  But I am sooooooo blessed, my future lays ahead of me, and my family has me back again!  Of course I had not really noticed but I had turned quite grayish yellow and the first thing that my family marveled at when I came out of the recovery room was...the "color"on my face and my eyes sparkled again!   My live donor ran into some problems...they knicked a main artery at the start of the surgery.  I was home ....thankfully after five days....she stayed in two days longer than I.....she is doing very fine now.  I will write more in the future as I can type better and hopefully catch up on some much needed sleep!  Oh Susie....I am so sorry.
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: willieandwinnie on February 26, 2008, 01:48:45 PM
:yahoo; Nan. Congratulations. I just love hearing this kind of news. You take care and DRINK, DRINK, DRINK. Keep us posted. We all miss Susie, but IHD will keep her spirit alive.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: okarol on February 26, 2008, 01:50:08 PM
 :2thumbsup; So glad to hear you're okay Nan, and I hope they can dial in a better dosage for your meds. Jenna has a tiny tremor in her left hand, barely noticeable. Very scary for you donor, what a relief they were able to fix her up!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for you both!! :cuddle;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: MyssAnne on February 26, 2008, 02:00:12 PM
WONDERFUL news for you!!!!

I am very happy that it turned out so well for you, and you FEEL good....other than the
effects of the medicine that is.  Thank goodness they're decreasing them!

 :beer1; :beer1; :beer1; :beer1;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: boxman55 on February 26, 2008, 02:24:08 PM
Awesome stay healthy what great news...Boxman
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Sunny on February 26, 2008, 02:36:32 PM
Wonderful news for you. Hope your donor is doing well too.
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: livecam on February 26, 2008, 02:37:25 PM
Congratulations on your new lease on life.  It truely is an exciting time and one you'll remember always.  Enjoy your gift and your new life!
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Wattle on February 26, 2008, 02:44:05 PM


Congratulations   :clap;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: kellyt on February 26, 2008, 02:58:29 PM
 :yahoo;  That's wonderful news for you!  I'm glad your donor is doing better, as well.

Take care.   I can't wait to read your full "transplant story".   Now, get busy on your recovery!!!!
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: KT0930 on February 26, 2008, 03:11:40 PM
So glad to hear about another transplant!!! Remember, keep drinking lots of water, and enjoy all those previously forbidden foods!

Sorry to hear your donor had a rough go, but glad she's home and headed in the right direction as well.
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: kitkatz on February 26, 2008, 03:15:36 PM
Time to party. I hope you recover quickly.  :bandance; :bandance;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: kidney4traci on February 26, 2008, 03:27:44 PM
I am so happy for you!  :yahoo; What was the first food from the no no list you ate???  Always curious about that...  Look forward to the whole story.
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: bolta72 on February 26, 2008, 03:43:54 PM
 :clap; :yahoo;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Sluff on February 26, 2008, 03:46:12 PM
CONGRATULATIONS !! Nan hope you get many good years out of that new kidney. Hopefully a lifetime.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: paris on February 26, 2008, 05:42:07 PM
It is so good to read wonderful news :clap;  I am very excited for you and will look forward to your whole story.  Congratulations, Nan :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: rose1999 on February 26, 2008, 11:29:24 PM
Congratulations Nan  :yahoo; Hope you and your donor will make full recoveries and live long and healthy lives.
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Joe Paul on February 26, 2008, 11:41:21 PM
Thats great news, I hope your new kidney lasts a good long time  :thumbup;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Ang on February 27, 2008, 01:03:14 AM
congratulations :bandance;

hope  it  all  stays  well  for  the  next  30  years, just  to  be  sure :yahoo;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: angellady07 on February 27, 2008, 01:14:09 AM
Congratulations Nan.   :clap;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Ginger on February 27, 2008, 08:23:57 AM
Congratulations Nan, been thinking about you but did not want to disturb your rest. Hoped that this is the news we would hear. Didn't I tell you that a transplant would make you feel better? The side effects of the medicines will go down as the doses are lowered. Continue to have a great recovery. Still have to get together one of these days and now we can compare transplant stories instead of dialysis ones.

Hope your donor is now recovering well too.  Know a bit about knicked arteries as that happened when they removed my rt kidney.
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Romona on February 27, 2008, 09:04:50 AM
 :bandance;
Good for you!
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Psim on February 27, 2008, 09:07:37 AM
Yay Nan!!! :clap; :clap;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: angela515 on February 27, 2008, 09:33:51 AM
Congrats Nan, always great to hear someone getting a transplant.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Laurie on February 27, 2008, 06:26:47 PM
 :yahoo; Congratulations Nan. May you have many years with your new kidney.
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: rookiegirl on February 27, 2008, 06:52:27 PM
I'm so happy for you.  :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: willieandwinnie on February 28, 2008, 03:42:38 AM
Nan, How are you doing?  :grouphug;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: vandie on February 28, 2008, 07:23:18 AM
Fabulous news.  Congratulations.
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Deanne on February 28, 2008, 12:18:22 PM
 :bandance; :bandance; :bandance; Congratulations!!!  :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: kellyt on February 28, 2008, 01:01:43 PM
Any news?  How are you feeling, Nan?
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Lori1851 on February 28, 2008, 01:50:24 PM
Zippity Doo Dah!!!! My of My What A Wonderful Day!!! SO glad to hear Nan  you are doin great!!!!!!!!!!!
Lori/Indiana
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Slywalker on March 01, 2008, 09:25:17 AM
:bandance;  Congratulations.  what a great gift to receive. 

I also had a few of the bad side effects from the transplant meds, shaky hands being one of them.  That subsided after about eight weeks.  So - here's to hoping that side effect will also go away for you!!!! 

Have a great day.   :yahoo;

Sandyb
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Nan on March 10, 2008, 06:36:12 PM
Thank you everyone for your kind words and thoughts....I am finally able to type a bit better without such shaking.  The clinic finally said....Lady........YOU NEED ANXIETY meds to counteract your sensitivity to the drugs.  :boxing; It has taken the edge off...I still am shaking, my brain is going  a 160 miles an hr...and in a 24 hr period, I sometimes only sleep 45 mins. Sleep is so precious to me.  Food/taste has not come back yet....I am usually not hungry and not everything tastes good to me yet...I even haven't gone back to drinking coffee and I used to LOVE my morning coffee!
I am trying to do everything right, but I have a bladder infection, thrush mouth, ulcers down my throat and a sinus infection and antibiotics for each and everyone of them!  I go nowhere....I feel like the "boy in the bubble"....clinic everyother day and then home again.  I have not even seen my family as the flu is running rampage among the grandchildren.  BUT..... :yahoo; EVERYDAY....there is another little baby step to recovery, I think I was just in such bad shape before the surgery...that I need to get my strength back.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel....I have every magazine for gardening....and I plan and dream and re plant my garden daily!  I have also let things go around my house for the past two years....and am on this HUGE reorganizing project.....my husband will bring me a drawer from a cabinet or desk....I sit with a garbage can and clean...throw and organize....WOW.......it feels so good, my body might be a bit slow....but the brain is CRAZY!!!!! :bandance; Getting tired...will try to keep in touch....missing you guys...it's just so good to have you all out there!  Nan
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: okarol on March 10, 2008, 09:46:25 PM
 :bandance; I am so happy you're improving - I hope the meds all help and you get stable so you can enjoy life more and more.
All the baby steps are heading in the right direction! Take care!  :cuddle;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: willieandwinnie on March 11, 2008, 03:18:36 AM
:bandance; Nan, good to hear from you. Just take those small steps, and remember to rest when you feel like it. DRINK, DRINK, DRINK. Please keep us updated. Take Care. :clap;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Sluff on March 11, 2008, 04:30:13 AM
I hope you continue to improve but becareful with all thos antibiotics.  :thumbup;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: KT0930 on March 11, 2008, 05:06:55 AM
Glad to hear you're doing better, and you feel so good emotionally! Keep up the mental work, as it goes a long way to helping you recover physically.

As for the thrush, I don't know if your team told you, but that can be a problem with taking prednisone by mouth, especially if you are still on a higher dose. As your dose gets lower (or even eliminated, as some are, these days), your vulnerability to it will also decrease. Not sleeping can also be a side effect of the prednisone.

Continue taking great care of yourself and that kidney!
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: MyssAnne on March 11, 2008, 07:20:18 AM
Nan, I'm so glad it IS getting better!!!   :clap; :clap;

SOON, you will have a normal life!!!  We're thinking of you, and wishing you the best!!!
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: paddbear0000 on March 11, 2008, 10:19:34 AM
 :bandance; :bandance; :bandance; Congrats!!!
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: KR Cincy on March 12, 2008, 11:45:00 AM
As we've all learned Nan, take it a day at a time...don't look too far ahead, and definitely don't look too far back...just take each day as it comes, work on making something positive happen, then move on. I'm guessing some sleep would be good...I don't know what med they gave you for anxiety, but I have Ativan, and a little goes a long way...helps me sleep during my most stressed out times, but without feeling like a zombie the next day.
Good luck and hang in there!!!
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Nan on May 13, 2008, 09:36:00 PM
Well..........yesterday I celebrated THREE MONTHS of my new kidney!  I had an appointment with my neph at the transplant center and I got wonderful, happy, exciting news.  I am now at the lowest on prednisone, gengraf is the same and so is cellcept.  I do STILL have my drainage tube in....yikes...they even had to pull the three month old one out last monday because it was soooooooo old!  I am still draining about 100 a day.....it will be so nice to just JUMP into the shower without all the press and seal and tape!  Swelling is still a problem,  I can only wear one pair of my shoes and my chipmunk cheeks.....are way too funny.....but.....EVERYBODY says...I have the BEST coloring.  I guess I was pretty gray and yellow before the surgery, I kinda avoided mirrors!  My brain still goes 150 miles an hour....my body tires out after about 1 block,  I am still anemic and I am getting weekly shots of iron.  All and all, I am still taking some baby steps, my body was not in very good shape before the surgery, I was sleeping like 16 hours a day, now I do everything to avoid naps,  I feel like I slept way too much before hand.  I just found out from the doctor, that my live donor was a 5 mismatch.....and that explains why I was on such high doses of meds after the surgery.  They had never told me the number before....I had asked, and was never given an answer,  I guess ...now....I am glad I did not know. There has been plenty of little hills to climb, but I AM going forward.  I do not get on the computer as much as I used to, but it always feels so good to check in on every body....I swear I will try to keep in better touch.
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: kitkatz on May 13, 2008, 09:50:08 PM
It is nice to hear you are doing good.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: rose1999 on May 13, 2008, 10:38:36 PM
Please do check in, it's lovely to hear how well you are doing.
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Sluff on May 14, 2008, 04:23:49 AM
Nan I'm so glad things are going in the right direction. Success is sweet.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: lola on May 14, 2008, 04:40:36 AM
Nan I'm so glad everything is going so good for you. :clap;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: Bajanne on May 14, 2008, 06:30:20 AM
Great news.  Girl, you just keep on keeping on!!  :cuddle;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: paddbear0000 on May 14, 2008, 09:02:40 AM
 :clap; :clap; :clap;
Title: Re: It finally happened....I have a NEW kidney!
Post by: lamillinger913 on May 14, 2008, 12:16:32 PM
Congratulations, Nan! Keep it up!  :yahoo;