Links For Gifts for Donors/Recipients/Transplant Teams

Just thought I would list some great links found on the LDO site for gifts. These should be helpful to anyone who would like to find a gift for their donor, recipient or transplant team.

http://www.shareyourlife.org/
http://www.transplantawareness.org/
http://www.kidneyjewelry.com/
http://www.visualanatomy.com/

Greg's Labs 3/17/08

Greg's creatinine is at 1.9 again this week. They have taken him off of Lasix because it was causing him to cramp from being dehydrated. This is good because it means the kidney is functioning very well!
I will have labs done again next month to make sure that my kidney is still functioning properly.
April 16 is National Transplant Nurses Day. I am sending some kidney shaped cookies to our nurses. If you know a transplant nurse, be sure to do something nice for her on this day!

Greg's Creatinine Dropping

I know this site is supposed to be about my experience, but nothing much going on with my recovery. I think I am fully recovered, it will be 8 weeks Friday and I have no pain or problems.
I kind of feel like what goes on with Greg is part of my recovery so I will probably continue to update his condition whenever I have news. As I stated in my last post, his creatinine had increased slightly. He saw the transplant surgeons last Thursday and they reduced his Prograf and prednisone dosages. His labs today showed that his creatinine dropped back down to 1.9. Hopefully, it will keep dropping. We will see when he has labs again next Monday.
Next month is National Donate Life Month. What are you going to do to make a difference? Fill out a donor card!!
The following is posted on www.organdonor.gov:

Make it known: I want to be a donor
Register with your State Donor Registry, if available.
Say YES to donation on your driver's license.
Tell your family, friends, physician, and faith leader that you want to be a donor.
Fill out and sign a donor card, have it witnessed, carry it with you.

Update on Greg's Creatinine Level

Greg's appointment this morning went well. He has lost 5 more pounds since his visit last month which is great. The doctors said his creatinine was going up because of his prednisone and Prograf (an anti-rejection drug). They have lowered the dosage of both which should get his creatinine level back on track. They assured him he is not having a rejection episode and, of course, I got the "don't worry about me" lecture.
When will this man understand that it is perfectly normal for me to worry about this and to check to see how he is doing? I am really not trying to bother you, Gregory, but I can't just act like I don't care what happens to you.
I'm going to stop ranting now or it could go on for pages and pages!

Greg's Creatinine Level Up Slightly

I talked with Greg Tuesday and I am nervous because his creatinine level has increased. It was 1.8 last week and is now 1.9. It is not much of an increase and he has no signs of rejection. He spoke with the post-transplant coordinators and was told that this is normal while meds are being adjusted. He has a follow-up at the transplant center on Thursday morning and is watching very closely for any signs of rejection. I am more nervous than he is.
Signs of rejection include: fever, swelling of feet and ankles, elevated BUN and potassium, decreased urine output and elevated creatinine levels.
I will let everyone know more about his condition as I hear more. Please pray for him!
I informed him that I don't allow his body to reject my kidney and anyone who knows me well would laugh and say that they would be scared to reject my organs, too.
April is National Donate Life Month. Fill out those donor cards!!

Just a Little Off Topic Note for Everyone

For those of you in Ohio, Vermont, Rhode Island and Texas, GO VOTE!!!

Back to Work Part 2

Well, I worked 2 shifts last week and made it through both of them without trouble. I didn't have pain and my legs and feet weren't even sore after not working for 7 weeks! I must admit I buy really good, supportive work shoes and I actually wore the anti-embolism socks from the hospital while at work. Those socks made my legs feel awesome while at work. Usually, they feel tired but I was amazed at the difference I felt wearing these. I am now a firm believer in support hose no matter how ugly they may be! No one sees my legs at work so if I want to wear ugly support hose, I will!
Greg (my recipient) goes back for a second follow-up with the transplant center this Thursday. I will keep everyone posted of his results. He is doing remarkably well at this time.
Nothing much to report about me. I am thankful that I haven't had any horrible issues to deal with. I still am dealing with the itching of my Love Scar but that is nothing major.
Best wishes to all you donors and recipients out there!