OMG...I got a transplant

[monrein]

Wow, I was saddened by the rejection episode news but glad that they seem to be reversing the trend.  Down creatinine down!!! And stay down darnit.

[Laurie]

After spending 7 days in the hospital and receiving 7 doses of Thymoglobulin, the rejection so far has been stopped. My creatinine has been staying around 1.1.
I still have a little discomfort around the incision and feel weak when walking, but other than that I feel great.

[okarol]

  Oh Laurie, I hope you feel better and you can rest - thank you for letting us know!

[monrein]

   You must be relieved Laurie and I'm glad that the creatinine has dropped.

[skyedogrocks]

Laurie - That is great news, I'm praying that everything works out great.  TONS of positive thoughts headed your way and to keeping that kidney for MANY years!!!!   

[donnia]

Laurie ~ Wow!  You have been put through an emotional roller coaster!!!  I am sending good vibes, thoughts and prayers that everything will continue on a positive track.  Please keep us updated!

[pelagia]

It's great to hear that your kidney is functioning well again.  I hope it keeps up the good work.

[Laurie]

My creatnine is still at 1.1 
I had my PD catheter removed yesterday. I'm a little sore today, but not too bad. Hopefully that was my last surgery for a while.
I'm going to clinic once a week now. I go back on Monday and am scheduled to have a sonogram of my kidneys and a bone density scan.
I have also been having problems with my right arm that I had an IV and PICC line in, so I am having a sonogram of my arm.
Other than that, I am doing great and enjoying spending the summer with my daughter.

[kidney4traci]

zzzzzzzzzz  I must have been sleeping and missed this thread!  Congrats on your new kidney - what a month it has been for you!  Glad things are getting resolved - enjoy time with your girl!! 

[hashim50]

Your posts are wonderful - they certainly give me hope.  Is it true that you feel wonderful after the transplant, that you didn't know how bad you felt before?  I've heard that, but wonder if it will really be that great.  I am trying to get on the list here in Florida.  They say the waiting list is 13 months which is relatively short compared with other partsw of the country.  How are you adjusting to the med regime?  Did you feel you had adequate pain meds after surgery?  What can you suggest to improve the process?  Anything you wish you would've done differently?

Please keep us posted and prayers and best wishes are with you....Noel

[okarol]

  Yes - enjoy your life Laurie! 

[kidneyx3]

  :yahoo;I'm so excited for you, you'll be back to normal in no time!

[donnia]

   so glad for the great news!!!   

[Laurie]

Does it ever end? I'm back in the hospital 
It turns out the pain I've been having in my arm is from a blood clot. I was admitted yesterday so they could start IV heparin and coumadin. I will be in here until they get the heparin to a "therapeutic level" and then I will be released and have to take coumadin for a couple of months.
My kidney is still doing great. Creatnine is 1.1.

[monrein]

Laurie, I am so sorry to hear about the blood clot and hope that's resolved soon with the coumadin.  No it doesn't ever end is the bad news but the good news is that there can  be some sweet interludes in between the far-too-many dips in the roller coaster ride that is ours to endure. 

Hope you're back on track very soon.

[tamara]

Thinkin of ya xxx ooo

[Sluff]

Does it ever end? I'm back in the hospital 
It turns out the pain I've been having in my arm is from a blood clot. I was admitted yesterday so they could start IV heparin and coumadin. I will be in here until they get the heparin to a "therapeutic level" and then I will be released and have to take coumadin for a couple of months.
My kidney is still doing great. Creatnine is 1.1

Sorry to hear about the blood clot but at least it can be fixed without danger to your kidney. Your creatinine level is outstanding. Hope you are out of the hospital soon.

[pelagia]

Hope all is going well! 

[Laurie]

Is it true that you feel wonderful after the transplant, that you didn't know how bad you felt before? I've heard that, but wonder if it will really be that great. I am trying to get on the list here in Florida. They say the waiting list is 13 months which is relatively short compared with other partsw of the country. How are you adjusting to the med regime? Did you feel you had adequate pain meds after surgery? What can you suggest to improve the process? Anything you wish you would've done differently?

hashim50 -
I think right after the transplant I felt great just knowing it was over and things were working like they should, but it took a while to physically feel better because of the recovery and getting used to the meds.
I expected to have a long wait due to a high PRA, but was on the list for 1 year and 3 days, and was so shocked when I got the call. The med regime is fairly easy to adjust too. The side effects, are not. The hospital makes sure you understand everything before you are discharged. They also give you a checklist of your meds, so that helps alot. Yes, I felt I did have adequate pain meds. I was on a morphine drip for the 1st day after the transplant and I actually did not push the button very often. Even after getting off the morphine, I still did not take a lot of pain meds, but then again I have a high tolerance for pain and hate taking pain meds. The whole process for me went very smoothly. I wish I would have made a list of things I wanted to take with me to the hospital. It was very hectic the day I got the call and I was not able to get everyting together. I also wish I would have better prepared myself for the emotional rollercoaster after the transplant. It's alot to deal with and takes time for things to settle down.
I hope you get on the list soon and have a short waiting time. 

No it doesn't ever end is the bad news but the good news is that there can  be some sweet interludes in between the far-too-many dips in the roller coaster ride that is ours to endure. 

You are so right monrein. I just hate having to be away from my daughter so much. It has been really hard for her. I also worry about my husband. He has been going to work all day and then driving an hour to the hospital to see me and not getting home until 10:00 or 11:00. It's starting to wear him out.
Sometimes I wonder if getting the transplant was the right thing to do, but then I know in the end it will all work out and things will get back to normal.

[hashim50]

Thank you for answering my questions,  I sure hope you get better on the coumadin and get rid of the clot problem.  My prayers are with you.  Its sad that you have to be  away from your family, but it will soon be over and you'll be together again, if you aren't already now. 
Best of health to you with your new kidney!!

[Laurie]

  I get to go home.

[twirl]

Thank you God
you have a most wonderful life
so happy for you and your family

[hashim50]

CONGRATS!!  All of our prayers and wishes worked for you!!  Good going and enjoy.

[donnia]

Sorry you had problems with blood clots!  I am soooo glad you got to go home tho!!!!  YAY!!!    Hope you have a LESS eventful time of things!

[Sunny]

Yay!
Home sweet Home. Glad you are doing better.