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....