Len's Transplant

Hi Everyone,
God, what a great bunch of people this group is. I actually made the 2 hour trip home because Len is doing so well and I'm just mentally and physically exhausted. I have had no sleep since 2:30 Thursay morning. We got to Washington Hospital Center at about 8am Thursday morning. We reported straight to the transplant department. Our coordinator, Josephine had a private room already for him and she drew his labs. She had to use he's graft because she couldn't find a good vein. We got him settled, then the fun began. Chest X-Ray, EKG, enemas, talking with trauma surgeon that operated on Len's bowels in 2001 about 20+ times to find best placement for kidney, heart doctor, more blood work and then throw in 2 hours of dialysis to be on the safe side. That was probably a good move because there was a delay in getting kidney from Houston. I offered to drive from DC to TX to pick it up. To make a long story shorter, kidney arrived at about noon on Friday. Final cross matching and it was off the OR at 1:00pm. The Director of the transplant department (Dr. Light) performed the surgery himself and he came out about 7:15pm and said the they had a few problems but the blood flow to the new kidney was perfect and it was producing urine like crazy. Because Len's kidney's and bladder haven't work for so long and all the medications for kidney patients, Len had severe calcification and they had to hook kidney up further then normal. Len was on a ventilator for months back in 2001 and his lungs are in really bad shape so they put him on ventilator again and said to be safe they were going to keep him that way for a few hours after surgery. They kept him last night in the OR recovery room and they let me see him at 11:00pm and I didn't think he look as good as I was hoping for. I called at 6:00am this morning and they said he was off the ventilator and talking up a Storm. I went over as fast as my heavy body would take me. I walked in and was just stunned... His face wasn't all swollen like last night, and for the first time in 6 years I could see color in he's cheeks. They started letting him have ice chips which really made him happy. He got moved back to his room about 10:30 this morning and he's moving around, even laid on right side (where new kidney is). They said they are getting him up and walking tomorrow. Normally, I would not of left his side for a minute but the private room he is in is so small and he has a dedicated nurse so I thought he was in good hands and decided to come home and get some rest and make a bunch of phone calls. Right now he's medications are Prograf and Cellcept. I'm a little concerned that his blood pressure was high but Dr. Light said they would adjust his medication to lower it. I guess I'm expecting too much for 24 hours. I am so grateful to everyone and can't tell you how much I believe your prayers did make a difference. THANK YOU ALL and I'll post as the days go and I'll keep reading. this is just a wonderful site. Sorry, this is long and rambling. I'm really tired. Thanks again everyone.
Kathy