Surgery Successful!

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