Two weeks ago today I received the most amazing gift I will ever receive - a kidney from a living donor (Josh Rinehults). Josh used to work at our Manassas office as our Controller. I was in the Woodbridge office, but we were both members of the leadership team so I had lots of contact with him. A couple years ago, he left us to work at the Media General corporate office in Richmond. There have been a few emails back and forth, but not much else; until I posted on Facebook that I needed a kidney. Josh wrote back almost immediately that he'd like to donate to me. I didn't take him seriously at first, but when he called the next day to bug me about the number for Fairfax Inova Transplant Center, I gave it to him.
Almost immediately, he went into intensive testing to make sure that he was a good donor. All his tests turned out good and he called me to set the date. I wouldn't allow myself to get my hopes up because I had three people before that had made it "mostly" through the tests until they found medical issues of their own (as a side here - all were from work!). We had to work around budget season because of Josh's job, but we settled on September 21. That was two weeks and two surgeries ago.
Two weeks ago, Josh went under surgery for removal of his kidney and I went under surgery to have Josh's kidney placed in my right groin area. While I am still having a few pain issues, I am getting better and better every day and having my life back is simply amazing. I no longer have to worry about high phosphorous or being hooked up to a dialysis machine every night for 9 hours. I no longer have to worry about having enough room for my machine and my supplies when I travel. I can't wait to go on my first trip to a hotel and not have to worry about having to take 9 pieces of luggage for a 2-3 day trip!
My potassium levels are a little high and my pulse is also high. Both of these may be the result of one of the meds that I am on (13 pills at 8:00 in the morning, 1 at 2:00 in the afternoon, and another 8 at 8:00 in the evening). Yes, that is a lot of pills, but they will slowly dwindle down from month to month. Eventually, I'll probably only be on 5-6 pills a day (can't wait for that!). I also have to measure my liquid intake and output. That's not much fun either, but it's a small thing compared to having a normal life back. I also have to wear nothing but sweats for the next couple of weeks - luckily I don't have anywhere fancy to go, so this shouldn't be a problem - plus, it's super comfortable!
The last two issues are the biggest problems for me: 1. I can't lift anything over 5-10 pounds. That means I can't pick the dogs up! However, they still manage to flank me on the couch and at night. 2. I can't drive. Scott is getting very tired of "Driving Miss Daily" (as he calls it), but I should be able to start trying very small trips this weekend - no more than 1 or 2 miles until I build up my confidence again and make sure that I can put enough force on the brake pedal.
I'm logging a lot of TV, computer, and Kindle time, but I really need to get out and walk. The weather hasn't cooperated the last two days, but hopefully tomorrow will be better. I know I won't be able to make it very far at first -- I have been sitting on my butt for two weeks - but I know that the sooner I start, the faster I'll get back to normal. Normal? Well, better than the "normal" for the last 6 years and 9 months!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
1 Week Since Transplant
It has now been 7 days since I received the incredible gift of a donor kidney from Josh Rinehults. I'm still in some pain, mainly at the incision site, but it is getting less and less every day. In this post, I want to record what I remember about the transplant and hospital stay.
Tuesday, September 21 - 5:30 am. Scott and I arrive at Fairfax Inova Surgical Center. There are only a few lights on, but we sit and wait. At approximately 5:50 am, Josh and his mom, Melanie, arrive. At 6:00 we are allowed to "sign in" and wait to be called.
While waiting to be called, Melanie handed me a package and card. The card was handwritten and was absolutely beautiful. She also gave me a Pandora bead - the one that is a little gift box! What a perfect choice! (I had noticed her Pandora bracelet a week ago when we went for our pre-op testing - it seems we both like Pandora!).
Josh was called to go back first and so Scott and I waited. While we were waiting, this big, booming voice came around the corner - it was Tony Ankrom! He had driven all the way from the northern panhandle of West Virginia to see me and to make sure that Scott didn't have to wait alone. Susan Svihlik, a friend of mine, also showed up to wait although I didn't get a chance to see her before I went back. Just knowing she was there helped.
Finally, they called my name. Scott and I went back and I got to change into that sexy hospital gown that all the latest surgical patients are wearing (why do all the hospitals have the same fabric?????). The doctors and nurses started flowing and I finally started getting some information on what was about to happen. They kept me up-to-date on what was happening in Josh's surgery and finally told me it was time to go. I was petrified. I had been crying off and on for the last hour laying on the stretcher - and they finally decided to give me something to relax.
That's the last I remember until I woke up in recovery. Apparently, I was having a great deal of difficulty breathing. Everyone was rushing around, I was gasping for breath, and there were people everywhere! Finally, after about 2 hours, they decided I was stable and allowed Scott back to see me. I knew the dogs would be starving and that it had been a long day for him, so I sent him home since I wouldn't get into a real room until almost 9:30 pm.
Tuesday, Sept. 21 - 9:30 pm - Room 777 (yes 777!). I arrived in the room that was to be my home for the next couple of days. I discovered that I had a breathing tube inserted for the surgery and that when they removed it, I had trouble breathing - hence all the activity in the recovery room. I also found out that in addition to the usual IV, I had a "main line" inserted in my neck that went straight to my heart. Scary! That main line would be used for fluids, medicines, and information until Thursday afternoon. It was really uncomfortable, but all in all, I was feeling pretty good. The first night was restful as I became best buds with the pain management button. Whoa - that was a great little thing to have. Anytime I felt the slightest pain, all I had to do was press the button and pain medication was inserted directly into the main line.
Wednesday, Sept. 22 - 24 hours after surgery and I'm begging them to let me out of bed. The nurses finally allowed me up to sit in the chair. Wohoo! I called my aunt to let her know that I was okay and became even better friends with Mr. Pain Button. The next two days were spent convincing the doctors that I would be better off at home. Between the air mattress that adjusted itself every time I got comfortable to the horrible food - I was ready to go home.
Thursday, September 23 - No one told me about this horrible itching! Apparently it is a side effect of a transplant and not one person had mentioned it to me. It is so bad that I have scratches all over my body because I can't control the scratching! The good news is that the Dr. says I can go home! At about 8:00 pm, Scott showed up to bring me home. After what seemed like a very long ride, we arrived home to the dogs and my own bed! Oh, life is sweet!
More tomorrow on the following days....
Tuesday, September 21 - 5:30 am. Scott and I arrive at Fairfax Inova Surgical Center. There are only a few lights on, but we sit and wait. At approximately 5:50 am, Josh and his mom, Melanie, arrive. At 6:00 we are allowed to "sign in" and wait to be called.
While waiting to be called, Melanie handed me a package and card. The card was handwritten and was absolutely beautiful. She also gave me a Pandora bead - the one that is a little gift box! What a perfect choice! (I had noticed her Pandora bracelet a week ago when we went for our pre-op testing - it seems we both like Pandora!).
Josh was called to go back first and so Scott and I waited. While we were waiting, this big, booming voice came around the corner - it was Tony Ankrom! He had driven all the way from the northern panhandle of West Virginia to see me and to make sure that Scott didn't have to wait alone. Susan Svihlik, a friend of mine, also showed up to wait although I didn't get a chance to see her before I went back. Just knowing she was there helped.
Finally, they called my name. Scott and I went back and I got to change into that sexy hospital gown that all the latest surgical patients are wearing (why do all the hospitals have the same fabric?????). The doctors and nurses started flowing and I finally started getting some information on what was about to happen. They kept me up-to-date on what was happening in Josh's surgery and finally told me it was time to go. I was petrified. I had been crying off and on for the last hour laying on the stretcher - and they finally decided to give me something to relax.
That's the last I remember until I woke up in recovery. Apparently, I was having a great deal of difficulty breathing. Everyone was rushing around, I was gasping for breath, and there were people everywhere! Finally, after about 2 hours, they decided I was stable and allowed Scott back to see me. I knew the dogs would be starving and that it had been a long day for him, so I sent him home since I wouldn't get into a real room until almost 9:30 pm.
Tuesday, Sept. 21 - 9:30 pm - Room 777 (yes 777!). I arrived in the room that was to be my home for the next couple of days. I discovered that I had a breathing tube inserted for the surgery and that when they removed it, I had trouble breathing - hence all the activity in the recovery room. I also found out that in addition to the usual IV, I had a "main line" inserted in my neck that went straight to my heart. Scary! That main line would be used for fluids, medicines, and information until Thursday afternoon. It was really uncomfortable, but all in all, I was feeling pretty good. The first night was restful as I became best buds with the pain management button. Whoa - that was a great little thing to have. Anytime I felt the slightest pain, all I had to do was press the button and pain medication was inserted directly into the main line.
Wednesday, Sept. 22 - 24 hours after surgery and I'm begging them to let me out of bed. The nurses finally allowed me up to sit in the chair. Wohoo! I called my aunt to let her know that I was okay and became even better friends with Mr. Pain Button. The next two days were spent convincing the doctors that I would be better off at home. Between the air mattress that adjusted itself every time I got comfortable to the horrible food - I was ready to go home.
Thursday, September 23 - No one told me about this horrible itching! Apparently it is a side effect of a transplant and not one person had mentioned it to me. It is so bad that I have scratches all over my body because I can't control the scratching! The good news is that the Dr. says I can go home! At about 8:00 pm, Scott showed up to bring me home. After what seemed like a very long ride, we arrived home to the dogs and my own bed! Oh, life is sweet!
More tomorrow on the following days....
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