The transplant is booked!

[romanyscarlett]

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.

[cariad]

Congratulations, Romany!

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.

[willowtreewren]

Great news. You can begin enjoying a dialysis-free life even sooner. 

Hugs to your mom! 

Aleta

[okarol]

 
Wow! A DATE!
Isn't that wonderful??!!
Best wishes to you and your lovely mom - I hope you'll keep us posted!
 

[rsudock]

Alright this sounds great!!! Good luck!

xo,
R

[Ang]

congrats and good luck

[Jie]

Best wishes...

[Chris]

GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!
Best wishes and speedy recovery for the both of you.

[Marina]

I'm thrilled  to hear the  good  news!!!!!!

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

     healing  and  positive  vibes  sent your  way!!! 

[AguynamedKim]

Fantastic news!  I hope all goes well!

[kristina]

Best wishes and good luck

from Kristina.

[paris]

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                

[Bajanne]

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!
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.    Just keep us updated please.

[romanyscarlett]

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!

[carol1987]

 

Fantastic!!!!!!! I will be thinking of you and your mother  on the 15th!!

[MakeMyDay]

Great news ! Don't forget to send us the picture of you with the golden liquid. 

[CHeatherS]

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

[willowtreewren]

 

Such wonderful news! 

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

Aleta

[jbeany]

 

[okarol]

  8 more days

[Poppylicious]

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!

[romanyscarlett]

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.

[jeannea]

Amazing. You'll love it.

[Poppylicious]

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!

 

[Annig83]

CONGRATS!  That's great news!