I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: romanyscarlett on June 29, 2011, 08:40:22 AM

Title: The transplant is booked!
Post by: romanyscarlett on June 29, 2011, 08:40:22 AM
We got a phonecall today telling us that there had been a live donor cancellation at the transplant hospital so they want to go ahead with mine instead. It means we will be having the operation on 15th July.

My mum is over the moon, she's been itching to get on with this for such a long time. We had a discussion at the weekend about how happy she is that I finally agreed to accept her gift of a kidney.

It's going to be a bit of a mad rush to get everything ready. We were due to see the transplant team on 25th July for one final meeting to discuss the transplant and then due to surgeon holidays and operation theatre bookings we were looking at October for the transplant. The team still want to meet with us before the operation and they want another set of bloods done just to be on the safe side so all that is going to happen in the next few days to ensure we're all ready to go on the 15th.

I've gone through more emotions in the last hour than I have done all year. I was initially astounded and shocked which then went into elation, panic, sadness, relief etc. I know sadness might sound a little odd but I was in the middle of being so happy at the cancellation when I realised that it meant someone wouldn't be getting their transplant and I felt so sad for them.

I've cried, laughed, shouted the good news down the phone to my boyfriend, cried again, laughed again and gone back to crying. My dog clearly thinks I've lost my mind because he is hiding on the stairs.
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: cariad on June 29, 2011, 09:15:14 AM
Congratulations, Romany! :yahoo;

I had a similar experience and your description brought it all back to me. I was minding my own business at home, probably going through a mental list of everything I wanted to have done before the transplant (that list was always somewhere on a loop in the back of my mind) and the transplant team called and asked if I wanted my operation moved up a month due to a cancellation. I had to tell them I would get back to them. I must confess, I did not give any thought to the reasons behind the cancellation, but please don't assume that it was down to someone not getting their transplant. It's just as likely that a cadaver organ came through and they went that option instead. That's the lovely thing about not being in the medical field - we can choose to assume the best, as it doesn't change anything either way! I was in a daze after agreeing to move the date up, and I do recall that I went into a bit of a blue mood for quite a while after.

I wish you the best of luck with it! I cannot remember if this is a first or second go with you into transplantation, but if you have any questions as your date approaches, please let us know.
:flower; :bestwishes;
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: willowtreewren on June 29, 2011, 09:33:10 AM
Great news. You can begin enjoying a dialysis-free life even sooner.  :2thumbsup;

Hugs to your mom!  :cuddle;

Aleta
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: okarol on June 29, 2011, 11:04:21 AM
 :clap; :clap; :clap; :clap; :clap; :clap;
Wow! A DATE!
Isn't that wonderful??!!
Best wishes to you and your lovely mom - I hope you'll keep us posted!
 :yahoo;
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: rsudock on June 29, 2011, 11:59:43 AM
Alright this sounds great!!! Good luck!

xo,
R
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Ang on June 29, 2011, 05:41:10 PM
congrats and good luck
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Jie on June 29, 2011, 09:18:37 PM
Best wishes...
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Chris on June 30, 2011, 06:53:05 AM
GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!
Best wishes and speedy recovery for the both of you.
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Marina on June 30, 2011, 07:13:33 AM
I'm thrilled  to hear the  good  news!!!!!! :cheer:

Best  wishes  for  a  very  smooth  surgery  and  a  speedy  recovery  for you  both!!! 

 :pray;    healing  and  positive  vibes  sent your  way!!!  :cuddle;
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: AguynamedKim on July 01, 2011, 12:48:24 AM
Fantastic news!  I hope all goes well!
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: kristina on July 01, 2011, 02:17:22 AM

Best wishes and good luck

from Kristina. :grouphug;
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: paris on July 01, 2011, 07:10:06 AM
Wonderful, exciting news!    I understand the sadness part. It is a huge event that affects so many and somewhere people are upset that they aren't getting their transplant when they expected.        But, put that aside and enjoy the incredible next 2 weeks.    It will give you time to have your "space" ready for when you come home.  Stock up on fluids and sanitizers!   I bought lots of the little juice boxes for the first few days. I could keep one with me and it was easy to get 8oz in without it being a big deal.     I am rambling -- I am sooo excited for you.       Let the countdown begin    :2thumbsup;     :clap;       :cuddle;
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Bajanne on July 01, 2011, 07:19:17 AM
WONDERFUL NEWS!!! :yahoo; :yahoo; :yahoo;
Please be sure that you and your mom are not going through this alone.  Your IHD family will be there with you all the way.  :grouphug;  Just keep us updated please.
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: romanyscarlett on July 07, 2011, 06:30:31 AM
We met with the transplant co-ordinator and the independent assessor in Bristol on Tuesday. We had to show them my birth certificate and some photos of my mum and I together as well as talk about our expectations and grasp of the whole thing. They both gave us the green light and signed off on the operation to say it could go ahead.

We met with the surgeon today just to tick the final boxes in the process so it's all good to go ahead next week! How exciting!

I've got my first batch of the anti-rejection drugs to start 2 days before the transplant and my dialysis unit has agreed to give me an extra shift the day before the operation. It means I'll be having dialysis two days in a row (boo hiss!!) but since it will hopefully be the last time I'm sure I can put up with it.

All that's left to do is pack my hospital bag!
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: carol1987 on July 07, 2011, 07:05:57 AM
 :clap; :clap; :clap; :clap; :clap; :clap;

Fantastic!!!!!!! I will be thinking of you and your mother  on the 15th!!
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: MakeMyDay on July 07, 2011, 02:37:01 PM
Great news ! Don't forget to send us the picture of you with the golden liquid.  :bestwishes;
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: CHeatherS on July 07, 2011, 05:22:10 PM
Oh my romanyscarlett!!!!  Believe me, I know what you are going through, whew!!!!!  And honestly, it's good to hear all of your emotions about this, because I think only those of us going through it can understand, and everyone else around us just seem to pay it little mind.  My surgery is booked for August 22nd in Seattle, which means I have to travel from Alaska and stay down there for up to 2 months.  I have had to scrape and pray for someone as a care taker, as they demand you have someone at all times, and then there are my dear three cats here at home and a gazillion houseplants......  but somehow, it seems as if it's coming together. 

Please keep us all in the loops, I know I sure do want to hear all about it,  Blessings BIG time!!!

Heather
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: willowtreewren on July 07, 2011, 05:33:43 PM
 :bestwishes;

Such wonderful news!  :2thumbsup;

Eagerly awaiting news that everything has gone smoothly and you are peeing up a storm!  :clap;

Aleta
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: jbeany on July 07, 2011, 06:01:14 PM
 :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: okarol on July 07, 2011, 06:59:42 PM
 :bestwishes; 8 more days
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Poppylicious on July 08, 2011, 01:53:40 PM
I'm completely stumped as to how I missed this! 

YAY!

(Sorry it's late!)

One more week!  How exciting!

*huggles* for both you, your mum and the team at Bristol!
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: romanyscarlett on July 12, 2011, 06:51:24 AM
The transplant has taken on a new dimension. We have been asked if we would mind a medical student watching both our operations. Of course we have said yes and we're so happy that we are able to help someone who will in turn be able to help other patients in the future.

I've bought myself a can of Heinz cream of tomato soup (I cannot begin to tell you all how often I have craved this soup over the last year) and some root beer for when I get out of hospital. My bags are all packed, I've just finished making a farewell cake to take to dialysis tomorrow and everything else is falling into place nicely.

In less than 72 hours, I'll be the proud owner of a new kidney. I can't quite believe it.
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: jeannea on July 12, 2011, 09:20:28 AM
Amazing. You'll love it.
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Poppylicious on July 12, 2011, 09:36:30 AM
I've bought myself a can of Heinz cream of tomato soup ...
I do believe that this is top of Blokey's Fluid/Food wishlist immediately he's had his transplant.  I think he actually wants to take a can in with him in the hope that they'll heat it up for him!

 :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Annig83 on July 12, 2011, 03:28:08 PM
CONGRATS!  That's great news! :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: romanyscarlett on July 21, 2011, 03:58:43 PM
Well, I'm pleased to report that the transplant was a success. On the first set of blood tests my creatine had been reduced from an average of 950 to 150 and it has steadily decreased to 92 as of today. I had always struggled with my phosphate levels and it's now down to 0.66! I've got a print out of that reading so I can frame it.

I was discharged from the hospital today & the first thing I did was have a big bowl of tomato soup followed by some strawberries & a can of root beer.

My mum is gradually getting better but she was in a bad way initially. She had a bit of a negative reaction to the anaesthetic & her blood pressure was so low when she came round from the operation the hospital were talking about moving her to intensive care. She's a fighter though & after a day she started to recover & was discharged on Tuesday afternoon. She's been taking things easy since then & has been feeling really rough. I actually think I'm healthier than she is now.

We are staying in a house near the hospital which we have rented from a charity for the next 3 weeks so that will save thrice weekly 6 hour round trips to get my blood tests done.

I guess it's all down to the anti-rejection drugs & me looking after myself now.
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: woodsman on July 21, 2011, 05:26:15 PM
This is great news, i wish you the best
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: jbeany on July 21, 2011, 06:13:55 PM
 :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;
great news!  Hope your mom catches up quick, too.
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: okarol on July 21, 2011, 06:42:09 PM
 :yahoo; Yay!! Good to hear you are alright!!
They say it's often harder on the donor, who is healthy and gets knocked out by surgery. The recipient, however, has been ill a long time so they feel dramatically better, in most cases.
Tell your mom she's a GODDESS!  :-*  I pray she's felling better soon!
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Poppylicious on July 22, 2011, 11:57:56 AM
Yay! So pleased it went well.  Hope your mum feels better very soon!

*huggles* for both of you.
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: MooseMom on July 22, 2011, 01:43:22 PM
Another miracle for one of our own!  How wonderful for you!  And god bless your mom!  I hope you both recover very quickly and get on with your lives asap!
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: jeannea on July 22, 2011, 05:16:09 PM
You kind of are healthier than your mom right now. When my mom gave to me we recovered together and it was kind of like leapfrog. I jumped ahead for a while then she did then I did, etc. I'm glad you're doing so well. Enjoy this time.  Just don't scare everyone with the stent removal.
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: romanyscarlett on July 23, 2011, 02:21:36 AM
Mum turned a bit of a corner over night & is feeling a lot better this morning.

I've just been for my blood tests so hopefully the results will come back in a few hours as being fabulous.

I didn't have a stent removal so that's something to be thankful for! I woke up with a stent & catheter but was told that the stent would fall out on it's own accord & the catheter would be removed after 5 days. The stent actually fell out 1 hour after the catheter was removed. I was sharing a ward with 2 other female transplant recipients, one of whom had the same kind of stent as me but the other lady had one that would need to be surgically removed so I'm not sure what was different or the reasoning behind it.
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: willowtreewren on July 23, 2011, 08:53:53 AM
This is wonderful news!  :2thumbsup;

I'm glad things are going well!

 :clap;

Aleta
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: okarol on July 23, 2011, 11:23:47 AM
 :clap; :clap; :clap; Great!!
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Cordelia on July 26, 2011, 03:24:05 PM
Congrats to you!!!!!      :clap; :yahoo; :grouphug;

What was the stent for? I don't understand.   ???  What is it?
Title: Re: The transplant is booked!
Post by: Phraxis on July 26, 2011, 10:44:54 PM
Congrats and a safe journey on this the next wonderful time in your life. And a swift recovery for your Mom too.