I've been notified! I get my kidney transplant on June 20th!!!

Hello everyone,

Thank you for all your wonderful words of support! I've been meaning to write up a more technical post, recounting my stay at the hospital, but I've not reconstructed the days, yet, unfortunately! I'd like to write something up to help others get an idea of what my transplant hospital stay was like, so when their time comes, they'll have somewhat of an idea what their's might be like.

This community has helped me so much, like I had said, before, I'd like to contribute back.

I'm still getting acclimated here at home: remembering to take all my meds on time, dealing w/ pain management, and TRYING to take it easy . . . I don't realize I'm doing too much, don't relax enough, and boy, do I pay the consequences! I am drinking my fluids, tho!!! (Think I might invest some $ in a company that manufactures toilet paper! - sorry - BAD JOKE)

So, "Nabby" is 1 week and 2 days old!!! (and doing well, thank you very much!) Yes, I did name my new kidney. I know - I'm so weird, but he's all mine, now, so I can do what I want! LOL

I had really wanted to name my kidney "Davey" (AFI), but my dear dear brother, my donor, isn't too familiar with my favorite band (unfortunately!), and I really wanted to choose a name that was meaningful for both him and me.

Here's the story (long version - sorry!): Surgery was, originally, scheduled for June 11, 2008. I called the surgeon's office in a panic. I wanted my new kidney, ASAP, but my older daughter was graduating high school on the 12th and my younger daughter was graduating middle school on the 13th. We had relatives coming in from out of town, and a very lovely dinner party celebration planned at Forbes Mill Steakhouse for us, my family and hubby's family on the evening of the 13th. Surgery on the 11th would have thrown life into complete and utter chaos for everyone!

My surgeon suggested postponing the transplant to a Friday (normally, he performs kidney transplants on Wednesdays, as he is guaranteed op room time every Wed.) If he scheduled us for a Friday, we'd be on "standby" and could get "bumped" (THIS IS SURGERY STANFORD - NOT AN AIRLINE FLIGHT!! LOL). But, my wise & wonderful surgeon, Dr. Busque, said to relax & enjoy both graduations with my beautiful children and our families, and then proceed w/ the transplant. He would choose a Friday when he was "on call" for the weekend so he could follow up w/ my brother and me during the weekend.

I was torn. I wanted my new kidney sooo badly, but could not bear the thought of missing my girls' graduations. My surgeon informed me that June 20th was a good date for the transplant. I was distraught that I would have to wait, but ultimately, it was a wise decision that I absolutely do not regret - PATIENCE.

My younger daughter, in all her youthful wisdom, pointed out that June 20 was a good date because it was a good omen. SJ Sharks hockey goalie, Evgeni Nabokov's number is 20. "Nabby" is one of the most talented, hardest working, most dedicated, and unrelenting hockey goalies, EVER! Sharks fans adore him! (and if you know anything about me - you know I'm a Sharks fan(atic!). It was very fitting to name my kidney "Nabby". I want my new kidney to have all the strong and positive qualities as Evgeni Nabokov/"Nabby". And, my brother is a Sharks fan, too!

So, I'd like to introduce you to my new kidney "Nabby". I ran this name past my brother, and I could have sworn he looked at me like I was crazy. However, being the dear, gracious, generous, and loving brother that he is, he gave me his acknowldgement that naming my/our kidney "Nabby" was fine with him!

MRR