My Living Donor Transplant Story

wifedonor

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« on: January 24, 2007, 11:52:57 AM »

Hi IHD !!!

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, it has taken me so long to post my living donor story. I have been online but I just couldn't form the right words to tell my living donor story. Now I think I am ready. Here goes..............

The kidney transplant for my husband was scheduled for 1/2/07. We had to arrive at the hospital at 6:00am. His parents and my sister all came with us to the hospital. Everyone was scared.............and no one said a word in the car. It was a long---real long------------15 min. drive to the hospital. We checked in at the Short Stay Unit for regisitration. While we were waiting we had my sister take pictures of us.....in order to capture the memories of the transplant experience. The nurse came out to get us to have our final blood done and change into the hospital grown at about 7:15/7:30am. That was pretty smooth except that is when I really felt scared because I started to cry and I could tell that everyone was scared too. I went and changed into the usual hospital gown. I put my personal belongings into a special bag. Then I guess the nurse noticed how scared I was and allowed my sister to come into the back. I calmed down a lot after that. Then they started to ask me questions to make sure I was aware of what was happening,....and if I had any questions. Soon after my husband was brought to the same back area and was given a number of tests and his IV. As for me on one could manage to find my vein anywhere....and I was stuck a couple of times before they deceided to let them someone try before the surgery. During this time one of the ministers of our church came to the back as well. She keep both of us "entertained" and calm while we were being checked by the drs. and nurses. She even went next door to visit with my husband. During the same time my sister was still taking pictures....and I am so glad that I have these memories on photos. Finally, we all gathered for a time of prayer and then I started to cry again. I just couldn't help it since I was really, really, scared. As I was wheeled away we passed my husband's room and I just waved. I really started to cry then. Finally, they let me come out with the poll and IV and give me one final kiss. That was so touching and sad at the same time. I just wanted to stay there almost to the point of avoiding the OR...but not really. Finally, we stopped embracing and I was wheeled away!!! Next I was wheeled to what they called the "holding area". Can you believe someone just wheeled me there and left me? Finally, someone came to get me from outside the OR because they said we were being delayed because my husband's levels were too high for potassium, etc. Soon after I saw my husband being wheeled in the same location.....and we were stretch out our hands to touch a bit. Then they let my in-laws, sister, and min. come to the back too. This really calmed my fears a great deal. From there the nurses and technicans were able to get the levels to normals and then they gave me local anatheshia to probe enough to find a vein. It hurt so bad.......again...but at least it was done. Next the gave my husband something to relax and then I was finally wheeled away to the OR. I waved to my husband but this time I didn't cry like the other times. When I got into the OR I was amazed at the size because I expected it to be bigger I guess. Anyway, I was helped onto the table...and straped in too. Then I remember telling the nurses that I was scared...and they said we are going to take good care of you....you are doing a brave deed. All I did was look around at as much stuff as I could. I didn't even feel sleepy or anything. All I remember hearing is the nurses saying, "where is the ice?" Then someone said it is here. That was it....I was out cold....I missed all the details of the surgery. Amazing!!!

Once I woke up I was in my room. I was in an incredible amount of pain. Can't even begin to describe it. It was absolutely horrible --...and the worst I have ever experienced. Please take into considereration that I have never had children, or surgery on anything else my jaw...and there was truly no pain for that procedure. I was in so much pain that I did not want to move. I was just that afraid. The first night was awful. I was in terrible, terrible, horrible pain all night long. I was a bad roommate to my husband because I moaned and groaned all night. The night gave my medication but it quickly wore off and I soon needed it again. My husband was doing better than me in that he didn't have the same type of pain....but he was uncomfortable......and he was hooked up to a lot more things than me. The next mornng I was given Perocet and that was truly effective. It did put me to sleep and make me nauseous though. That was bad....but it was worth it to combat the pain. I got out of bed the day after the surgery at about 10:30am. I didn't have a choice in the matter....but I was sick of the nose tube (took out at 6:00am the morning after the surgery) and the cathater so I was determined to get out of the bed. It hurt so bad but I did it will little help. After then I was able to wash up in the bathroom change into some real clothes. I could no longer stand the hospital gown. My husband on the other hand was basically in need of a tremendous amount of help. He didn't get up until later in the morning....and he was quite uncomfortable due to the staples, poll, cathater, etc. Both of us walked down the hall slowly. When we had visitors later than afternoon we were looking good but in a lot of pain. I really entertained all my female visitors by showing them my four incisions they were of course covered by small bandages. Everyone was amazed than they ooked so neat and small.

I stayed in the hospital for two days so I was discharged from the hospital on Thursday afternoon. It was hard for me to leave my husband there but I knew that I need some real sleep since while in the hospital drs. nurses, and interns were in the room every hour on the hour. My husband did get any sleep....and we were sick of being in the hospital and of the food.

Once I left the hospital my husband said that the "quality of care went down".....maybe the fact that I wasn't there to make sure he got what he needed was really important.....I don't really know. He called me to tell me things and I felt really bad then. One thing that was god and painful was the removal of the catheter. That made me want to go up to the hospital and punch someone in the face. Overall, he was going so well in the hospital they he was released a day earlier than expected. He was glad because he was sick of everyone by that time. When he was discharged his creatine was 1.3. That was really good...and the drs. were satisfied with his progress.

At home it was really tough with the both of us at home alone. Of course we had the help of people that had volunteered to do stuff but I was still the only one there to help my husband. He basically could not do anything for himself. He was in a lot of pain and the staples were very uncomfortable. Anything that he would have done for himself I basically did these things for him after the surgery. Between taking the 24 pills a day and going to the dr. 2-3 times a week it was nearly impossible at times. Also we were not sleeping and continued not to until this week when he was prescribed Ambien. Ambien works well and we both have sleep at least three full nights. After the second week, my husband was able to do a few things by himself....(including taking a shower)...with the aid of a shower chair.......and I assisted as needed. Of course during this time I have been cleaning the counter tops and walls with the Clorox solution to reduce the risks of infection. Yet, I did hire a nurse to come and help him three hours a week.....so I could sort of get a break.

Now it has been three weeks and the progress is positive. His creatine is 1.24 and everyone is pleased. He is able to do more things for himself, and the staples and stent were removed last week. The staple removal wasn't bad but the stent was uncomfortable and painful to urinate at times. He even had a bit of blood initially.....but that was normal according to the dr. I was originally projected to go back to work on Feb. 1 since I was told that most donors typically return back to work in one month. But with the above circumstances I don't feel ready to return back to my high school teaching position. I am exhaused and sleep a lot now during the day. Sleeping at night is better but still not perfect. My husband is scheduled to return back to work on April 2 as a paralegal. My goal is to rest and sleep a lot this month since January allowed no rest or relaxation with being a caregiver at home. As silly as it sounds I feel guilty for being out for two months...because I feel my students are suffering.......even my husband needs me too. Truthfully, I probably am not ready for such a schedule without restrictions....but I still feel emotionally torn between these aspects.

I am glad that I was donor for my husband......especially since I was his only option. I am praying that things with his health will continue to go well....and that my creatine of 1.08 will go lower since before the surgery it was lower.

All the best to the rest of you that are waiting....

WifeDonor

Fixed color and bold commands - Rerun - Moderator


« Last Edit: January 24, 2007, 12:00:20 PM by Rerun »	Logged

Rerun

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