Another Phone Call

[lola]

Glad everything is going so good for you Katie

[xtrememoosetrax]

So glad to hear you're doing well.  And thanks much for sharing all the details, which are so fascinating and helpful to those who may be facing this in the future.  I'm wishing you tons of good "mileage" with this kidney, and I am very happy for you.  

[KT0930]

Resting, but still not sleeping much, due to 20 mg/day of prednisone. I will be weaned off 5 mg/week until I stabilize at 5 mg for the life of the transplant (hopefully many, many years).

I have today off from blood work, but I'll go tomorrow for labs then Thursday for clinic. I find that interesting, since both my previous transplants, I started out at 3x/week clinic. But this team NEVER releases you from their care, and I will continue to have monthly labs for the life of the transplant. Thankfully, in a month or two I'll be able to move those to a lab closer to home...the hospital is a 45 minute drive without traffic (and we'd be in morning rush hour traffic going toward downtown Atlanta, notoriously some of the longest commutes in the country).

Got to spread the news a little further this morning, since Fresenius called for my order. I got to tell them that I needed my stuff picked up instead of the usual delivery. They'll do that on the 28th, and my husband is taking the machine apart today.  Then I just have to count cases of fluid and tubing. Uggh.

[willieandwinnie]

  Katie, I'm so happy to hear your home. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'll continue to say prayers. TAKE CARE.

[okarol]

I hope you take it easy and keep up the fluids - so glad you're doing well - thanks for the update!

[angela515]

Congratulations! I am so very excited to hear when anyone gets a transplant, but espeically an IHD member, makes my heart jump for joy!!!   

[Psim]

Yay Katie!!!! Thanks for all the details... so cool that you got to see your new kidney. Hope all continues smooth for many many years to come.

[Chicken Little]

I'm so happy for you.   

Kind of a weird question, but I'm curious....

Did you shower before you went in?   I've always had to shower with medicinal soap and refrain from using deodorant or lotions before the surgeries I've had.  And how soon after surgery are you able to shower? 

[angela515]

I'm so happy for you.

Kind of a weird question, but I'm curious....

Did you shower before you went in? I've always had to shower with medicinal soap and refrain from using deodorant or lotions before the surgeries I've had. And how soon after surgery are you able to shower?

I can kind of answer this for myself. First transplant, was pre-scheduled but was never told to take a shower before hand, b/c it dont matter how good you shower they still do their medical stuff the same and rub you down the same. As for my second transplant, it was a call in, which was funny b/c I was *IN* the bath taking a bath when they called, lmao. And I was able to shower as soon as I was able to get out of bed and get the iv's out.

[sisterdonor]

I'm so happy for you.   

Kind of a weird question, but I'm curious....

Did you shower before you went in?   I've always had to shower with medicinal soap and refrain from using deodorant or lotions before the surgeries I've had.  And how soon after surgery are you able to shower? 

Well, I was a donor but I can answer this because BOTH myself and my recipient were told to shower the night before AND that morning when we woke up.  We had to be at the hospital at 5:45am.  The coordinator said they wanted out bodies extremely clean.

1/8/08 live donor - hand assisted laporascopic left kidney

[KT0930]

I was given special medical soap to clean my abdomen with really well several hours before the surgery started. Then after the surgery, I had a central line for meds and bloodwork. That came out about two days after surgery, and I was able to shower from the neck down about 15 minutes later. They had a bandage on it, and I couldn't saturate that or take it off for 24 hours. I was home by that time, so I got to shower and wash my hair that afternoon. Woo hoo!

[kimcanada]

When I had my first shower after my cath was removed , I stood in the shower and cried 

I had been 5 months with no shower...

Kate you are doing so well, I am very happy for you

[KT0930]

Kim, you just reminded me, I can SWIM this summer!  (no more PD cath!)

[Sluff]

How ya fairing KT?

[KT0930]

Feeling kind of weak today. One of the side effects of almost every single med I'm taking is diarrhea, and it's taking it's toll today. I've just called the transplant team to see if there's something I can take for it. I was already weak because my H & H is still low, so I really didn't need anything more added to the reasons for that. I've just gotten out of the shower and am just letting my hair (shoulder length and very thick) air dry because I can't face standing there holding the hair dryer for that long.

I'll probably grab my book in a few minutes and crawl back into bed. This seems to be my daily routine so far: get up around 9:00, watch some TV, have a light breakfast, shower, hop on IHD for a few minutes, then back to bed til dinner time. Thank goodness the parents in my son's scout pack are providing dinner for us so my husband doesn't have to do EVERYTHING!

Also adding to the weakness is that the prednisone appetite has not kicked in. I ate a chicken thigh and half a red potato last night for dinner and was full (not stuffed, but satisfied). I'm not really complaining though, because I really don't need any more weight to take off once my energy does return!

Sorry this is not as positive as the others, but gotta tell it like it is, right?

[paris]

Katie, those of us "waiting" are so eager to read every word of your experience.  I think you are amazing and have such an incredible spirit. You always seem to see the best of every situation and of people.  Let others do all they can for you.  You deserve it.  I keep you in my prayers and hope some of the side effects of the meds improve. 

[willieandwinnie]

Katie, I love reading your story, you telling it like it is because it's nice to read someone else's post that isn't all positive. A transplant is not a walk in the park and all the medications can wreck your body. Len is 4 months out and still just having a hell of a time with meds. He is still weak and takes naps daily. Please take care of yourself and make sure you drink lots because your losing so many fluids with the diarrhea. (I know I don't need to tell you this), just a gentle reminder. Keep us updated. 

[xtrememoosetrax]

Katie, PLEASE keep telling it exactly like it is -- good, bad, or in between!  Hang in there; hope you feel better soon.

[Sunny]

Thank you for telling it like it is. I'm happy you take time out of your recovery to update the site. This gives us all insight into how things go with transplants. I learn so much from people here. Sounds like things are going like they should and you are very fortunate. Here's to a speedy recovery.

[Jill D.]

I have been so busy that I haven't checked the site much lately....what an awesome news to read!!! I'm so happy for you Katie and glad to hear the surgery went smoothly! Stay away from sick people, crowds and small children for now if you can!!! 

[goofynina]

KT, dont worry about not being "positive" as you can tell, we appreciate your honesty and thank you for keeping us in the real   You just keep relaxing, take advantage of any rest you can get cuz i am sure when your feeling better your going to be busy busy busy    Keep on keepin' on my friend 

[KT0930]

Thanks all!

As you can tell from the time of this post, the prednisone's doing it's job of keeping me awake through the night well...and of course, I have my first clinic appointment in about 6 hours. That is, if I can make it - we have snow and ice here tonight. About an inch of snow, and sleet on top of that. Did I mention we live in GEORGIA?? We'll make it if we can, but if not, I'll just have to reschedule for Friday. If we go today (Thursday), my son will have to go with us, because just found out schools are closed here tomorrow. He'll just have to wait out in the hall with my husband, since kids under 12 aren't allowed in clinic. They do kidneys and livers there, go figure!

As for staying away from kids...my son's 9. He's not allowed to have any friends over, and can only play outside with his best friend because he (the friend) has four or five brothers and sisters. Thankfully, my son is really good about it and the handwashing and all the stuff we have to do, but I know he's getting frustrated with it already. Poor kid.

On a bright note, I think I mentioned that some of the parents from the Scout Pack are arranging to bring us dinners, and we figured that if they could get us through Monday of this coming week, we'd be good to go. We just got an email tonight from one of the organizers, and we have volunteers until February 1! Including one of our neighbors who has a girl, so has nothing to do with Cub Scouts...not sure how he got the word, but not going to complain! And by the way, one of the organizers and her husband are both PA's and have assisted with transplants, so got the word out about how thoroughly cooked and cleaned everything has to be and if someone has the sniffles, they're to trade for a different day. The lady who brought it tonight (our den leader), was helping make dinners for a year for a family whose son had had a bone marrow transplant, so she gets it!

As for the diarrhea, the transplant team called back, and I was able to take some Immodium, thank goodness! That's helped, and I've just kept a glass of water beside me ever since taking it (except for the Coke Zero I had with dinner...maybe it's the caffeine keeping me up??).

As for keeping it honest, I know postings like that helped me feel a lot more confident going in, so I'll try to keep it up for ya. Even though I had been through two previous transplants, it's completely different when you're on the list and it's not a sure thing. (When you get The Call, take a book, puzzle books, cards, anything to pass the time at the hospital. You'll probably have several hours to pass.)

[Wattle]

I am glad you are feeling better Katie. 

Does it normally snow in Georgia? Is that a blonde question? lol   I hope you make it to clinic!

The meals are great. My girlfriends did the same for me when I first started dialysis. It was such a big help, even though I didn't feel like eating, my husband and two kids had life as normal. You have some wonderful friends and neighbours.

And as for being up at night on the computer...... LAP it up........ you are NOT attached to the cycler anymore!!!! Woooohooooo   

[livecam]

Katie..belated congratulations on your transplant.  It seems like you were talking about PD exchanges at work just a short time ago.  There will be no more of that!  Enjoy your new kidney and freedom!

Jeff

[MyssAnne]

Katie, I am so glad it's going so well for you!!!  Having meals is going to be such a big help for you and your family!

Hopefully you get to the appt. even with all the snow!!!