Status Report..Vandie!

Oh my goodness!! You all warmed my heart. I can't tell you what it means you have you in my corner.
Thank you Jeff, for keeping everyone updated, not sure that photo was necessary, but. . . . . . . . .. . . . .

I just got home this afternoon. I feel better than I have in -- well, I can't tell you how long.

This was an amazing gift that I never expected. I knew that eventually something would happen for me, but who would have thought a
zero mismatch kidney?!? Not in my wildest dreams. It makes me weepy, I am so grateful.

I got a call from a coordinator on August 2nd. She informed me that I was number three in line for a perfectly matched kidney. She said the chances of me getting it were slim, but if I was interested that I should not eat or drink anything until I heard from her. I shaved my legs, took a sleeping pill and went to bed with my cell phone in hand. When I awoke for work with no news, I figured it went to one of the first two. I got ready for work and started my 1 hour drive in. At 6:30 a.m., halfway to work, I got the call. She said it was mine if I wanted it. I turned around and busted a move getting home. On the way, I was stopped for speeding. I told the gal my plight, still not sure if she believed me, but she let me go. I got home, told my eldest daughter and we cried together. She called in sick to work.
I got another call that they needed to biopsy the kidney and that I was on standby. They would call me when it was time to go to Loma Linda. Kourtney and I drove to my best friend's house, which was closer to the hospital ,and we waited. By the time they called at 10:30, I was on pins and needles. But that baby was mine.
We got to the hospital about 11:00 on Friday. My other two friends were waiting for me there. I checked in and we waited some more.

We went into surgery about 12:30 a.m. on Saturday. I was out my 7:00 am. I had some pain, but mainly in my neck due to that catheter I needed for plasmapharesis. I did the pharesis on day 0 and day 1 post op, and IVIg on day 4. I will do another course of IVIg at home tomorrow. Because of the high PRA issues, I couldn't pin them down as to whether or not I will have to do them down the road.

My scar is uncomfortable, but not horrible. My surgeons and nurses were fantastic. Loma Linda really pulled through.

When I left today my creatinine was 1.9, and I felt great; tired of course, but much better than before.

Thank you again. You are all fabulous and I love you. I would have been in touch sooner, but no wireless at the hospital.