One month post-transplant

Hello all!

Tomorrow is the one month anniversary of our "bean swap." I apologize for not posting more updates or keeping in better touch after receiving so many uplifting messages and calls.  We feel blessed beyond words for the outpouring of love and support, and will be eternally grateful for all of the care and concern.

The first three weeks after the transplant, Patrick's new kidney is functioning better than was expected! He is peeing now a lot, since his body is cranking out urine after 2.5 years on dialysis :) Now that he is taking immune-suppressants, he has to be extremely careful about his diet and surroundings. The great thing is that he is now off of the dialysis diet, which was really strict and ruled out a lot of otherwise healthy and nutritious foods. He's felt so much better with the new kidney functioning, it's like his body is just thriving on it. So he has more energy, and recovered really nicely from the surgery.

About a week ago, Patrick was given a lab report indicating that his disease is starting to come back and affect the function of the new kidney. Its called recurrence and it means that the disease (FSGS) has started to move into the transplanted kidney. This has always been a possibility-and while it is disappointing it is not a surprise. The good news is that it was caught very early on-before serious damage has been done to the kidney. AND most importantly-there is a treatment that can be performed that has worked to stop the recurrence and allowed patients to keep their kidneys for years. This treatment is called plasmapheresis and will take place 6 times over 2 weeks. 

The health care team has told us to stay positive at this time! Once again we are asking for positive thoughts, prayers, love and light to lift him up and stop the recurrence from progressing. Patrick asks that you also remember his family, close friends and loved ones as they are invested in his health and wellness. Thanks to all who are involved, your support has, does and will make all the difference.

Patrick and Kate after the successful kidney swap at UNC in May.