Pancreas Kidney Transplant

You'll notice that there is a huge gap in time between my dialysis "posts" and this new post.

On Feb 26, 2009 I was transplanted with a cadaver kidney and pancreas.  My diabetes ceased immediately and urine was produced.

This entry will only attempt to summarize the 3 months of recovery that followed. I must say here that I am doing great, strong as an ox and physically working out at 80% of what I was doing before kidney failure!  

In the 3 past months, I was hospitalized 3 additional times; a biopsy revealed that my body was rejecting the pancreas;  I was then IV-treated with some extra beefy meds for 10 days which have reversed the rejection.  I suffered from extremely high fevers (103 degrees average) throughout entire nights with rigors. I had over 200 tests to determine the cause of the fevers (over 200 tubes of blood).  This went on for 3.5 weeks before the biopsy revealed that my body was rejecting the pancreas.  Kidney continued amazing output of urine and all body wastes.  I was told that my organs were "large" and "young" - a very good thing in transplant.  

In the meantime, I got to know every nurse on my floor, had wonderful friends & family stay with me every single night that i was hospitalized (over 30 days), had over a dozen CT scans, a 1 am ultrasound, 2 biopsies and all manner of fluid drains, IVs, stomach tubes, catheters & catheter removals & insertions.   Whew.  Now I know it was worth it.

I hope to post more for anyone about to go through a transplant.  My experience was fantastic...I feel that I am still healing and in the middle of a great transformation.  I will post more later

Pushing through the systems: transplant & dialysis

OK OK

i heard from Vanderbilt. Note to self: make food to carry to the nurses over there. I've started off with a bonding experience...my nurse coordinator goes to Percy Warner like me!!! They want me to see 2 doctors and get more tests. here is a list of what I am waiting to be scheduled:

See Surgeon for Dialysis catheter implant surgery

• Dialysis center pre pre training on Hemo at Home (so I can make ed decision)
  renew the stress test
  
• Dual transplant surgeon - never had a meeting, so that is my next meeting.
  "Red top" vial of blood w/in a few more days...must get a deadline
  
• Kidney doctor again for EPO test and shot
  guess I've had about 25 doctor's meetings and clinic visits in the last 2 months...over 20 vials of blood and about 30 total tests...not so bad. i can do this!
  

what i've learned. yesterday, when i felt bad and sorry for myself, Amy listened patiently to my list above and said, "all education is good" and I didn't listen to her. I was still hurt and brooding and frustrated! But today I am strong and happy and I know I have to get these meetings scheduled just for the education. I must remember to listen when I feel poorly and if it doesn't sound good to me, which it didn't yesterday! I must remember these words from friends for later encouragement. I have faith that I will feel better and I can handle difficult ideas later.
What else I've learned: a dose of good comedy and better yet, a dear friend stopping by, is the best medicine. Pete came over with Sag Paneer and Arrested Development. Manna from heaven.

Other best gifts: Kim called, Amy,Erica & Kitty, 2 long lost friend....all called today. Wonders, they all are