Here we go. I got a transplant

[RichardMEL]

Wow!! Amazing stuff American Airman.. and so soon (relatively!)... you might be sore but hopefully that new kidney will work wonders for you! Fantastic!

[Romona]

  Can't wait for details.

[Chris]

I guess it sometimes pays to write about your complaints on the internet.

Congratulations on getting our transplant

And"And now it's time to do the dance" movie - Evan Almighty 
or for you Family Guy fans, It's time for the Peanut Butter and Jelly Dance 

[Mimi]

Hot Diggity Dog!!!!!  Now, 1-2-3 lets ALL do the happy dance.  Best Wishes.

Mimi

[Lori1851]

I am so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be waiitng to read your new post!!!!

Lori/Indiana

[American Airman]

A few more details...


I got called wednesday while at work.  I told my boss and went out the door.

Thursday morning was the actual transplant day.

the kidney is working, but a little slow to fully kick in yet.  Good news is that over the past week my creat has gone from 22 to the low 4's.  I'll find out more Monday Morning when I go in for follow up blood tests.

So far though... I'm carrying about 40 lbs of excess water.  I'm told that these next couple of weeks I should pee that off.

Everything is swollen below the waist.  EVERYTHING.  Let me make that clear for you.  EVERYTHING, parts I didn't expect to be swollen... are swollen.  that's something no one told me about....

I'm writing while my wife is trying to sleep, so I have to go.  More later.

Airman out.

[willieandwinnie]

Airman,  to to hear more from you. Take care of yourself and keep us updated. 

[kitkatz]

Take care of yourself and take a pee for me!

[Chris]

I didn't have that problem you are having after transplant, but hope it goes away soon. Goes to show that we all react differently.
Goo Luck with you blood work Monday, I have to do that also.
Keep us posted.

[pelagia]

Our clinic told us that sometimes kidneys just need a bit of patience, especially if they come from a non-living donor.  We know of someone who had to wait for six weeks for his to "turn on".  They kept him in the hospital the entire time.  Sounds like yours is starting up.

There are things they didn't tell my husband, either.  He turned all sorts of different shades in places we won't mention.  It goes away, eventually...

Rest and heal and enjoy the new kidney.

[kidney4traci]

Why would you turn colors?

[pelagia]

Purples, reds and eventually a yellowish tinge -- from blood collecting.  Think about the colors of a bruise.  Apparently it's not uncommon for that to happen to men when they have surgery in the groin area.

[MIbarra]

Hang in there Airman.. Mine took a few weeks to work too. The doctors said it was sleeping. I'm glad it woke up!

[angela515]

Congrats! 

Hope to hear all good things when your able to tell us about it. 

[American Airman]

Here is the complete story.

I got the call Wednesday at work.  I headed to Walter Reed and got checked in.

I was a good match for the kidney, and I was number one this time (YEAH!!!)  The donar was a young soldier that had just gotten back from Iraq, and was killed in a car crash.  My heart goes out to his family. 

They wheeled me into surgery at close to midnight.  I remember a couple of the doctors looking over the kidney they were about to place in me.
I never did see it, but I did see the metal tub I'm sure was full of ice and the donar kidney.

The next thing I remember was being in SICU.  I felt generally ok after the operation, and friday morning I was able to see my daughter for a short time.  She couldn't come near me, but she was being held by my wife and kept saying "Hi Daddy."  She did very well seeing me with all kinds of iv's and such in me.

As far as the kidney goes, it began working right away.  I started making urine fairly quickly.  And before I left Walter Reed my creatinine had gone from 22 to 1.8 or so. 

The biggest thing for me was being so swollen and full of fluids.  No one told me that EVERYTHING would be swollen.  EVERYTHING. 

Monday was the first day I was at home.  I'd say wednesday morning the kidney started to pick up.  since early wednesday morning, I've peed about every hour.  The swelling is now starting to go down too.  My hands and arms look normal, and my lower legs are just about better.  my upper thighs and torso are still swollen, but they are getting better, ever so slightly. 

I'm still a bit grumpy, but I can feel a some energy coming back to me.  I'm looking forward to feeling like a human being again. 

It weird, but I think my left side is more swollen than my right, but the left is where they put the kidney.  So I guess that's normal. 

I've also ate cheese again.  (In my best Homer Simpson voice )  - CHHEEEEESSSEEEE, AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH.   

I think in a future post I'll talk about the medications I'm taking. 

I'll answer any questions if anyone has any...


Airman

[annabanana]

So fantastic, Airman! Sounds like you're doing really well. I'm so glad for you!

[willieandwinnie]

  Airman, so glad to hear you are doing well. Keep it up and drink, drink and drink more. 

[angela515]

Glad everything went well. Yes, it always goes on the left side unless for some reason it can't or a previous transplant is there. I have one on my left and now right, if I have another they will most likely take out the left and put it there.

[monrein]

My first and so far only transplant is on the right side.  Does it perhaps depend on whether it's a right or left kidney that's put in??

[pelagia]

  so happy to hear that all is well.

I think they don't tell men about the swelling EVERYWHERE because it would worry them too much  .  My hubby had swelling and turned black and blue!

Stephen's transplant is on the right side, too.

[Chris]

My first and so far only transplant is on the right side.  Does it perhaps depend on whether it's a right or left kidney that's put in??

Only thing I have seen mentioned is about the adrenal gland. The left kidney adrenal gland is removed while the right side is left on. There is some sort of medical reason, ie plumbing that has to do with it. I have also seen diagrams showing the transplant being done on the left and the right. Maybe it depends on if the doctor is right handed or left handed

Now I wonder what the real answer is.

[angela515]

My first and so far only transplant is on the right side.  Does it perhaps depend on whether it's a right or left kidney that's put in??

Maybe your doctor had reasons he seen on your catscans and so on, or maybe he just felt like it? LOL, No it don't matter what side the donor kidney is from as to what side you put it on. My kidney from my mom was her left kidney, and is on my left, and my kidney from my perfect match was his left's and is on my right's since my left is full.

I always tell ppl I have 4 kidneys in me, but only 1 works. They look at me like, 

[KT0930]

My first and so far only transplant is on the right side.  Does it perhaps depend on whether it's a right or left kidney that's put in??

My first was put on my right, second on the left, and third right in the center just to the left of my belly button. The way it was explained to me that they generally go right to left unless there's some reason with your own renal arteries or veins that prevent them from doing it that way. After the second one, it's the surgeon's preference once he gets in and sees what shape your insides are in.

Congratulations, Airman! I hope everything continues to go well for you!!

[angela515]

My first and so far only transplant is on the right side.  Does it perhaps depend on whether it's a right or left kidney that's put in??

My first was put on my right, second on the left, and third right in the center just to the left of my belly button. The way it was explained to me that they generally go right to left unless there's some reason with your own renal arteries or veins that prevent them from doing it that way. After the second one, it's the surgeon's preference once he gets in and sees what shape your insides are in.

Congratulations, Airman! I hope everything continues to go well for you!!

It's explianed differently obviously, because I was explained it goes left to right.

[MyRenalRomance]

      Congratulations on your transplant!!!  Best wishes for a speedy recovery!