I'm getting a kidney tomorrow!

[pinkyD]

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. UNTIL TODAY! I was initially called as a backup, but my tx coord called me back and told me I am now primary. The donor is high risk (I've been told risk of any infection is very low), but with a KDPI of 1%. That's amazing considering my EPTS >20. The surgery is scheduled to take place tomorrow evening, so I'll be a total wreck until then. How do I prepare? What do I take to the hospital? Tx always seemed so far off that I never prepared for it.

[iolaire]

Congratulations! 

Try to relax a bit by doing things that calm you. I only had about an hour before I needed to head in but am happy I had time for the relaxing quick bath I take each morning.

Take in loose clothes, nothing with a tight waist line as you will be very sensitive at the surgery site when you head home.

It took me days to feel like using my phone so that type of thing is less important once you get sedated.

Finally remember there is a chance this kidney might not end up happening so be prepared for a let down just incase but if that happens be happy you are close.

[LorinnPKD]

Deep breaths!

I just had the opposite surgery (nephrectomy!) and I brought loose pajamas and slippers for the hospital, a toiletry bag, my busted up old iPad for watching movies (they had wifi for netflix!), my phone and charger. I was conked out most of the time!

Wishing you all the best!

[cassandra]

Congrats pinkyD, how u doing?


   




Lots of love, luck and strength, Cas

[gilders]

Congratulations PinkyD!
Hope you're on your way to recovery.
I'm nearly 5 months in to my transplant now and doing quite well. A few ups and downs and a suspected rejection episode, but this last month things are settling down with my function hovering around 37%.

[pinkyD]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone! Sadly, I have to report that the transplant didn't happen. You were right on the nose iolaire! I was ready to go under, IV in and hair net on, then it was stopped at the last minute. The surgeon came in and told me another patient needed a liver/kidney tx and took priority over me. The tx folks have been very vague about the details so that's about all I know about it. I'm still reeling a bit about the whole thing. What a day. At least next time I won't be so nervous and know what to expect.

[pinkyD]

Congratulations PinkyD!
Hope you're on your way to recovery.
I'm nearly 5 months in to my transplant now and doing quite well. A few ups and downs and a suspected rejection episode, but this last month things are settling down with my function hovering around 37%.

I'm glad your kidney issues have settled down. Is 37% the expected level of function after transplant?

[cassandra]

Jeeeeez what a bummer that is PinkyD !!!
Good luck with getting that one out of your system. But you know that you’re close.


Have a nice cup of chamomile tea 


Lots of love, luck and strength, Cas


   

[iolaire]

Sorry for the huge letdown. I only lost many kidneys as a backup never at the hospital and that in itself was very stressful so I hate to think how hard it would have been on you. I hope you have a kidney after the next call.

[gilders]

Hi PinkyD,
I'm so sorry to hear to hear about the transplant not happening. I can understand some other organ transplants taking precedence, but if it was another kidney transplant I would be fuming.
My transplant was a living donor (my dad), so double surgery rooms were booked. But they still warned me that if there wasn't 2 beds available, then they couldn't operate.

As for 37% being the expected function level, I was told it could be anything from 20-90%. For the first couple of months it averaged 44%. I then had a suspected episode of rejection, which was dealt with promptly. Then from mid April to mid July there was a constant, slow decline to 35%. Since then, there has been a slow increase and my most recent test shows a function of 38%.