I told said that I would post something after my Kidney transplant.
Here you go!
On Monday, Sept 28, Mrs ruleoflaw and I drove to Madison. I went to a drive-through Covid testing station. (negative). After that we checked into our hotel. We had all our ducks in a row. I had to take a shower and do a Hibiclens wash and put on clean pyjamas. Mrs r. helped to set up my Dialysis Cycler and I hooked up for my last session after a light supper of chicken and rice. I will spare you the bowel-prep details.
We were up early the next day. I had to shower again and do another Hibiclens wash, dress and eat a very light clear liquid breakfast. This was all accomplished in time for me to get to the hospital just before 7:00am.
My daughter knitolitics was scheduled for the kidney extraction at 7:30. The hospital policy requires that the recipient be present at the hospital before they open the donor. My procedure was scheduled for 12:10 pm so I had to wait around all morning.
{Note that UW Hospital recently had a Covid scare on their transplant ward. Patients are not required to wear a mask in their rooms, but all staff and visitors must wear one. A visitor to a patient took off her mask when the room door was closed, and passed the virus on to the patient. A staff member then caught it from the patient. As a result all visiting at this hospital has stopped; No spouses, no support persons. Only parents of minor children and guardians of impaired adults.]
WEAR A MASK PEOPLE!
Because of the new non-visiting policy I had to settle for face timing and texting with my wife.
knitolics’ companion and Mrs. ruleoflaw were at the same hotel and sharing info. The surgery team texts and calls next of kin right from the operating room to keep them briefed. While I was gowned up and waiting, the anesthesiologist from knitolitics team came to brief me. His four person group would also be doing me. I told him that the donor was my daughter and he replied that I must be very proud of her and the she is a delightful young woman. Later, his P.A. came in to insert an IV. He said the Doc had told him that the donor was my daughter. He said that she seemed really sweet.
All these things being true I could just nod my head and agree.
When knitolics was done, the extracted kidney was waiting in a cooler in the O.R. They then scrubbed the room from top to bottom and wheeled me in at about 12:45pm. I scooched over onto the operating table, my IV’s were hooked up and a mask was put over my face. The next thing I remember It was 1:00 am and I was in my hospital room. It hurt like hell. The new kidney was pumping out fluid that had been lurking in my tissues and bloodstream literally by the gallon. The catheter they had inserted in my bladder was doing its best but it felt like a burning football. They were putting painkillers in my IV and when they finally kicked in, I felt for my Dialysis catheter. It was gone.
That Incision didn’t hurt too much, but the other insertion on the lower right side of my abdomen ached a bit. After the worst of it subsided. I noticed that the awful taste in my mouth was gone. The phosphorus itch that had plagued me for months was also gone. The new kidney was flushing me out.
Later that morning knitolitics was up for her first walk and she came to my room. Our unique situation makes us the only people in the hospital who can have visitors. If I was going to catch something from her, it was way too late now. so we had a wonderful, tearful visit with her Mom on Facetime. All of us were in some pain but too filled with joy to let it bother us.
My recovery is continuing. Less pain today and I’ve taken the first of my three scheduled walks. I’ve cut back from the heavy painkillers to Tylenol. Later this morning they will be taking out my bladder catheter, so I’ll get plenty of exercise hopping up to go to the bathroom. They are pumping me full of anti rejection drugs, antibiotics, anti-fungals and anti-virals,in addition to a handful of pills every few hours.
Despite the pain, I feel better than I have in years. It’s like a dark cloud over my head has been blown away. The sun is here. My food tastes good again and most of the dietary restrictions are off. I had a chocolate milkshake with my lunch yesterday. I think I’ll have another one today.
Be well fellow Kossacks! I am back!
To make a donation to the UW Transplant Program click here.
To donate an organ click here.
Tell them I sent you.
UPDATE: knitolitics was discharged from the hospital late this morning!