The kidney swap was successful and Patrick and I are both doing wonderfully well after the transplant. We could not be more grateful or more pleased with the outcome at this point. It's been a week since the surgery and Patrick's new kidney is doing great! It literally started working while he was still on the operating table, which is the best case for a transplanted organ. There are numerous indicators that the doctors will be monitoring closely for an ongoing period of time, such as lab work and dietary/liquid intake measurements, weight, and medication cycles. He may still require additional plasmapheresis or dialysis if his blood/urine levels show a discretion, and so we are not to be worried if he does end up needed continued treatment. For now, doctors are leaving the dialysis access catheter in his chest in case it is needed in the near future. Hopefully, he'll be showing more signs of improvement, and be getting it out soon. Watching him heal from the surgery, accept his new kidney and regain his color, strength and energy has been AWESOME!!!
I apologize for not updating the blog sooner. While I was in the hospital, in the first days after surgery, I tried to recruit a few people into updating it for me, but that didn't ever happen, and I've just now been feeling up to returning phone calls and responding to email. My recovery is definitely going more slowly than Patrick's, that was to be expected. I am still taking medication around the clock and not able to lift more than ten pounds. It is difficult to live with so many limitations and have to ask for help. It is very humbling. In the next week, as I settle back in at home, I'll work on posting some more news about our recovery as well as some pics from the hospital, and write some thank you cards to the friends and family who are and continue to be by our sides, who bless us with their presence, and for the presents, letters, and donations that have been made in out honor. THANK YOU for your love and light.
always,
Kate
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Countdown to May 14 :)
From last week's fundraiser, the Raven Rock Ramble 100k bike ride, to the OR bright and early on Tuesday morning, the month of May is off to a hell of a start! Though we were not able to ride in the RRR (our docs forbid riding even 10 miles in a "victory lap"), being out there with countless of organ recipients and donors who are competitive athletes was incredibly uplifting and inspirational! Now we have just 24 hours to go until the transplant, and we're laying low, taking care of each other, resting up and visualizing a healthy and successful "bean swap."
After the surgery was postponed in March, it's been challenging as the date grows closer this time to proceed with cautious optimism. We are aware that at the very last minute, something could change, and the surgery is not garuanteed to happen on Tuesday morning. That, and the fact that the outcome of the surgery remains unknown, are the main concerns that we face as we head into the transplant process. We are not afraid of the surgery, or lying on the operating table, being in the hospital, or recovering. It is a tremendous blessing to have this opportunity and we are grateful for every moment, every chance, every breath and every smile that bring meaning into our lives.
In the next few days, updates will be posted on the blog, as well as on FB and email by our friends and family, particularly by Patrick's girlfriend, Rhiannon, and our FB friends. Mom and Dad will need lots of love and support, so please send it to them and keep us in your prayers!
love and light to you and yours~
in peace,
Kate
After the surgery was postponed in March, it's been challenging as the date grows closer this time to proceed with cautious optimism. We are aware that at the very last minute, something could change, and the surgery is not garuanteed to happen on Tuesday morning. That, and the fact that the outcome of the surgery remains unknown, are the main concerns that we face as we head into the transplant process. We are not afraid of the surgery, or lying on the operating table, being in the hospital, or recovering. It is a tremendous blessing to have this opportunity and we are grateful for every moment, every chance, every breath and every smile that bring meaning into our lives.
In the next few days, updates will be posted on the blog, as well as on FB and email by our friends and family, particularly by Patrick's girlfriend, Rhiannon, and our FB friends. Mom and Dad will need lots of love and support, so please send it to them and keep us in your prayers!
love and light to you and yours~
in peace,
Kate
 |
| HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who donated and supported our involvement in the Raven Rock Ramble. The event raised approx. $20,000 for direct patient services at the UNC Kidney Center. For Patrick and I, the opportunity to meet other recipients and donors at the bike ride was invaluable. These new friends are friends for life! |
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Getting ready! Following doctor's orders...
Hey Folks!
Everything looks good for the transplant for now. After our close call in March, we've been cautiously optimistic about the surgery happening on the new date, May 14. But as that date gets closer, we are encouraged that Patrick's blood pressure and titer levels are stable and he is beginning a series or plasmapheresis, to strip his blood of antibodies, and immune-suppressant drugs this week. We both need to stay healthy for the next two weeks, and stay clear catching a cold or the flu, and even risk factors for injuries.
For that reason, it's been recommended by the transplant team that we both refrain from riding in the Raven Rock Ramble (RRR), the annual bicycle and skating fundraising event for the UNC Kidney Center. You might hear a story about this event in the news, it's very popular with the avid cyclists and skaters in the area. Our friends, Linda and Tim, are even coming down from Asheville to roller-blade a 30 mile section of the coarse! We are very proud of them, and a little disappointed that we won't be able to ride even the ten mile loop this year, but our surgeons say that it is an unnecessary risk, and since the surgery is only one week after the event, we should both save our energy for the transplant. But don't worry- next year we'll be putting some serious rubber down on the road!
Thank you to everyone who's made a donation to the RRR. We're still accepting donations, as a volunteer team, at the link:
http://www.active.com/donate/RRR2013/UNCkidneytransplantd
It is such a blessing to be able to carry on with the transplant, and to have the opportunity for Patrick to regain his kidney function! I don't need to tell anyone what a miraculous and precious thing it is to appreciate good health after it's something you've lost. Given that there are no guarantees that the transplant will be successful, we remain cautiously optimistic. And we thank you for your prayers, from the bottom of our hearts, and hope that you all receive the many wonderful blessings of friendship, love and health.
We will continue to share the news of our transplant here and on FB as well. Thank you for your support!
with love,
Kate
Everything looks good for the transplant for now. After our close call in March, we've been cautiously optimistic about the surgery happening on the new date, May 14. But as that date gets closer, we are encouraged that Patrick's blood pressure and titer levels are stable and he is beginning a series or plasmapheresis, to strip his blood of antibodies, and immune-suppressant drugs this week. We both need to stay healthy for the next two weeks, and stay clear catching a cold or the flu, and even risk factors for injuries.
For that reason, it's been recommended by the transplant team that we both refrain from riding in the Raven Rock Ramble (RRR), the annual bicycle and skating fundraising event for the UNC Kidney Center. You might hear a story about this event in the news, it's very popular with the avid cyclists and skaters in the area. Our friends, Linda and Tim, are even coming down from Asheville to roller-blade a 30 mile section of the coarse! We are very proud of them, and a little disappointed that we won't be able to ride even the ten mile loop this year, but our surgeons say that it is an unnecessary risk, and since the surgery is only one week after the event, we should both save our energy for the transplant. But don't worry- next year we'll be putting some serious rubber down on the road!
Thank you to everyone who's made a donation to the RRR. We're still accepting donations, as a volunteer team, at the link:
http://www.active.com/donate/RRR2013/UNCkidneytransplantd
It is such a blessing to be able to carry on with the transplant, and to have the opportunity for Patrick to regain his kidney function! I don't need to tell anyone what a miraculous and precious thing it is to appreciate good health after it's something you've lost. Given that there are no guarantees that the transplant will be successful, we remain cautiously optimistic. And we thank you for your prayers, from the bottom of our hearts, and hope that you all receive the many wonderful blessings of friendship, love and health.
We will continue to share the news of our transplant here and on FB as well. Thank you for your support!
with love,
Kate
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