VITS END

[Psim]

Thinking of you both and sending good wishes and prayers on the wind for Len coming home soon.

[willieandwinnie]

LEN'S HOME 

I got up at 4 am and left before 7. Got to the hospital right after 9 and he was ready to go. It took them until after 11 to get all the paperwork and stuff finished. I brought him home, gave him chicken noodle soup and a roll and now he is laying down. It will probably take him weeks to catch up on his sleep. The puppies are so happy to have him home. I have to go get some prescriptions filled and then figure out what to feed him. He looks awful skinny and kind of pale to me. They changed a bunch of medications, so I have to learn all over again. they said his creatinine was .06 and his white count was down to 9,000 (from 24,000). He is only on prograf (1 mg) 2 times a day. We have to go back to DC the week after next, they want to give him some time to rest (what about me).

  Thank you guys so much for being here. I don't know what I would of done without you. This has got to be the best support group on the planet.

Take care everyone and I'll keep posting.

Kathy
willieandwinnie

[paddbear0000]

  That's fantastic! Keep feeding him the chicken soup--it does wonders! It's very nutritious.

[2_DallasCowboys]

Yaaaaaaaaayyyy!!!

I was sooo happy to  read your Len is home!

I bet he will recoup real fast, with being back in his
own house and having you and the doggies rite there.

I hope YOU also can catch your breath, and have a
good rest.
Again, so happy for all of you

Anne

[KR Cincy]

We all know there's no getting better in a hospital! Glad he's home so you BOTH can rest and recover!! Take care...

[Wattle]

    Oh thats wonderful news. 

  Welcome Home Len.

No more adventures for a while o.k! Take care, relax, rest and get fit and well.     

[Sluff]

Glad to hear Len is finally home. You will rest easier not having the four hour drive everyday. Hmmm what can you do with that time?  SLEEP, REST.     give Len my best.

[skyedogrocks]

Yeah Kathy!!!!  I am sure Len is THRILLED to be home, just as you are!  You are such a great wife, Len is lucky to have you.  Here's to Len getting better and you & the dogs having your honey back!   

[Psim]

Yay! Len's home! I hope you can get some rest too, now that you're not doing that long wretched commute. Tell those dogs to love you both up good!

[paris]

So glad Len is home and even more glad that you can slow down just a bit.  I am sure you are exhausted.  Just like with a new baby, rest when he is resting. Don't spend that time cleaning--you need to take care of yourself too.    I pray the road will be much smoother for the two of you. You have been through alot.

[okarol]

  Yay Len!
  Rest Kathy!!!

[okarol]

How is Len feeling? Hope he improves every day!

[willieandwinnie]

Hi Everyone

Len is improving daily  . He is always hungry, which is good. The GI doctor put him on a new medication called Amitiza, it keeps more fluid in the bowels, and it seems to be helping. He is on a low fiber, low residue diet and will be for a couple of weeks, then they will start adding some fiber. He doesn't go back to Washington Hospital Center until next Tuesday. I'm still concerned that the only rejection meds he is taking is 1 mg of Prograf twice a day. He is drinking plenty of water and is peeing up a storm. He is catching up on his sleep and not getting up so many times during the night to pee. When he came home from the hospital he was down to 124 pounds and as of today he is almost 127 pounds. We just keep taking baby steps. I took him for a ride to Point Lookout State Park (it is were the Chesapeake Bay and the Potmac River meet) yesterday and we walked down a rather long pier to watch boats. It's almost getting to chilly to do that much longer, but he needs to get out walking.

As for me, I'm still worn out. I had to get my flu shot, the yard had to be cut, tomorrow they are coming to pick up dialyzed/RO and supplies (so I moved most of it out in our garage to have room to pack stuff up) and if that wasn't enough, I just got back from taking both dogs to the Vet to get their shots updated. It has been a pretty busy day. Oh, and I cook 3 meals today also. No wonder when I hit the bed at 10pm I am out like a light within minutes.

We have a hot tub on our deck and I'm thinking that maybe later this week I might have to get a glass of    my new book and go chill out. I have to see how things go. I love checking IHD during the day. I'm so glad that more patients and caregivers are finding this site. I don't know what I would of done without it.

I just love you guys. Have a nice evening.

willieandwinnie

[Sluff]

What a nice update and nice sentiments.

We love you guys too, make sure you find that hot tub this weekend, you deserve it.

[willieandwinnie]

The rescue squad took Len to Hospital last night. Same thing, double over in pain, never did throw up. Admitted him and started IV and gave pain medication. They did a CAT scan and said blockage. Dr. Paul from Washington Hospital Center called me and said he doesn't think so. His labs came back perfect. No fever, no evaluated white count, kidney is working great.  I guess decisions will be made today about transferring him again. My God, is this ever going to end? I had a $300 gas bill last month, we just cannot afford to keep doing this. My health is starting to take a tole on me, I'm worn out. Please say a prayer that this passes quickly. I don't know what else to do right now. Dr. Paul told me that the first year after transplant is the hardest. I'll post when I know more.

Kathy

[paris]

I wish so much I lived near you and could physically help you through this time.  You have had so much to deal with. I will keep praying for both of you.   Poor Len, he must think things will never be better and you have got to be totally exhausted. Again, wish I was closer-I could sweep, dust and make dinner!  You need some help. If anyone asks if they can help--say yes!   You need a break!

[paddbear0000]

If only I still lived near you guys. I have plenty of free time. I'm so sorry this keeps happening. I hope things settle down (again) soon! 

[okarol]

  No!
Jeeez I can't believe it Kathy.
 

[Psim]

I was just reading after being away for a few days -- smiling about Len's weight gain, and your hot tub plans... What a hard hard thing to have him back in the hospital again. I hope they figure it out soon. I'm so glad his transplant is holding up good and strong. Sending you hugs and all my wishes for better news soon.

[keefer51]

 

[2_DallasCowboys]

So sorry to read of this latest incident, Kathy!

My prayers and thoughts are with all of you- I do wish
there was someone who could offer you a little help,
it would mean so much right now.

Anne

[kitkatz]

I know how hard it is to have the husband in the hospital. Everything is on your shoulders all of a sudden.  Just a reminder: Remember to take the trash out on trash day.  That is my hardest thing to remember to do!

[MyssAnne]

I'm so sorry to hear of the lastest setback. Darn it all.    Let us know how he is, and PLEASE,  look after yourself too. I wish there was someone there who could help, darn it.

[Black]

Sending prayers and good thoughts your way.   

[willieandwinnie]

HE'S HOME AGAIN, 

I brought Len home this afternoon. The put him on a pretty restricted diet for the next couple of weeks. I can deal with that, I think. We have to go to Washington Hospital Center on Tuesday for Clinic because they haven't seen him in a month. All his labs done here were great except for magnesium that they gave him IV and then started pills yesterday evening. We will see ow things go. He is so glad to be home, me too. Thanks for all the prayers and support. I was getting pretty down there for awhile. My life will be pretty busy this week but I'll post when I can. Thanks everyone again for just being here.

Kathy
willieandwinnie