Back to Work!

Believe it or not, I am excited to go back to work tomorrow! I haven't felt that way about many jobs in the past, so this is a pretty cool feeling for me : )

I talked with my recipient today for an update on his creatinine level and it is down to 1.8 (from 1.9 last week). Hopefully it will drop a little more and then maybe I will quit constantly pestering him about how he is feeling. Gregory, if you are still reading this, I am really not trying to drive you crazy! I just love you more than anything and always will. That is another story!

I am doing very well. I almost feel like I didn't have major surgery 5 weeks ago. I know that most people don't recover this quickly and I believe it was because I was very healthy prior to the surgery. I also think this is one of the reasons I was put on this planet. Can't explain it, just knew it would work out well.

I am posting a new picture of my incision, now known as my "Love Scar." I don't know if it looks any different than the first 2 I posted, but I wanted to see.

Oh, How I Itch!

I am dying to scratch the area of my incision! It is incredibly itchy and no amount of hydrocortisone cream seems to help for long. I know this means it is healing but it is really itchy: ). I actually wake up in the middle of the night because it itches. I am sure this is normal. If anyone has suggestions to help me out, I sure would be appreciative.
I am keeping the area well moisturized, use Mederma 4 times a day and am applying hydrocortisone cream when it starts itching. Someone please help!

Thanks!!

I just wanted to thank those of you who have left comments and emailed me with your wishes for my recovery. It means a lot to know that so many people care.
Also, I hope I have been helpful to those of you who have emailed me questions about donating. I know that the transplant teams provide you with information, but I think talking to someone who has been through the whole process can make you feel more comfortable with your decision. Just reading through the forums on livingdonorsonline.org was a big help to me.
It is officially 1 month since surgery and we are both doing very well.
If anyone would like to send me stories of their transplant experience, please do.
And, finally, to any new donors, welcome to the Kidney Club!

4 Weeks Post-Op Tomorrow

Just wanted to let everyone know that tomorrow is 4 weeks since my donation and I feel stronger each day. I am no longer bloated and the pain is minimal. I have noticed that after I eat, there is some pressure against the area of my incision which causes a little pain that feels like the area is stretching. It isn't bad and I imagine that after I am completely healed, it will go away.
My recipient saw his nephrologist today and was told he is doing very well. This is basically what the transplant team also told him. He says he feels like a new person and I am so glad that I could help him. He has lost over 30 pounds since the surgery and is still losing. It is a big difference from when he was on dialysis. For anyone who would like to talk to a recipient, if you email me, I can put you in contact with him and he will gladly tell you of his experience and answer any questions you may have.
I am returning to work the week of Feb. 25th. I am going to work 2 shifts that week (I work in a restaurant) so as not to overdo it. I will see how I feel and then work my way back up to my usual 4 shifts a week. I am actually looking forward to going back to work as I am stir crazy and almost out of the money I saved for the time I was off.
If anyone wants to ask me anything about my experience, feel free. I really want to share it and maybe help someone going through the same process.
Happy Valentine's Day!!

Please write your Congressmen for support!

I don't want to get political here, but we need to force Congress to provide better Medicare coverage for transplant recipients. Please check out the articles in the link I have provided. The National Kidney Foundation also has a group to join to support increasing funding and getting legislation passed. Please support this and write Congress!
">Link http://www.kidney.org/news/pubpol/issues_legislation.cfm

All is Well

It has been a busy couple of days. My first follow up was yesterday and Dr. Sankari told me everything looked great. I am healing well, vitals were great. My blood pressure was 113/54 which is normal for me.
My tenderness is almost gone and I actually was able to lie on my left side while sleeping last night. It felt weird at first but, after I was settled, it felt ok.
They also took blood and urine yesterday to test me for renal insuffiency. They will call me if there is a problem. My follow up appointments are scheduled at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year post-op. After the first year, I will go once a year for 2 years. This is all still covered by the recipient's insurance. The government requires the transplant centers to supply them with this information to make sure they aren't accepting organs from people who should not donate.
My recipient was also checked out yesterday. His creatinine level is still dropping (at 2.2 yesterday) and all of his other numbers are going up and down like they want. His meds are still being adjusted and they have some side effects but he says it is all worth it. This morning, he had his perma-cath removed and that made him extremely happy. It was installed in his jugular last may for dialysis until they could put in his fistula. He really hated it and is glad it is gone. He had the fistula done 2 times (first one collapsed). By the time the second one was mature enough to use, we had our transplant date and they decided to leave the perma-cath in to use as a main line during surgery.
I also want to ask for prayers for a friend from Living Donors Online (beandonor). Her brother experienced a rejection episode last week. He has pulled through but it was a trying time for them.
Also, we met a man yesterday at CAMC in Charleston who is receiving a kidney from his sister. Keep them both in your prayers as well. I didn't get his name but I did give him my email for his sister to contact me.
I am going back to Columbus on Sunday and will return to work the week of February 25.

Pictures of My Incision

My steri-strips were removed by my recipient's home care nurse today. It feels so good to have them gone! I think I itch less without them. Thought I would post a picture for everyone to see.

Follow-up #1

All went well at the follow-up appointment this past Thursday. G's numbers are looking very good. He will have his sutures removed next Thursday (which is my first follow-up).
They are constantly adjusting his meds. but it will take time to get them exactly right.
The hardest part is still sleeping, I am dying to be able to lie on my left side again!
I sometimes get what feels like a shooting pain in the area where my kidney used to be. I have been told this is because the nerves are getting feeling back. It isn't a bad pain. Just a little weird.
I have been monitoring my blood pressure and it is staying around 113/65, which is a good sign.
My energy level increases a little each day. I still get tired if I overdo it so I am being cautious.
I can't wait to go back to work!