9 months later and counting

Imagine, the transplant occurred on February 13, 2013 and I'm just back to blogging now, a little delayed I know.  It took me 2 months to get back to work after donating my kidney, and even then my energy level was at an all time low.  Not that it isn't now, but it is getting better everyday.  Ken bounced right back with only a minor hiccup so far, which was medication related a few weeks after the transplant.  It's absolutely amazing how the doctors were able to make this work.  With the power of prayer, faith & hope this transplant took very well.  The Doctors have been pleased with the progress thus far, and Ken is leading a much happy & healthier life.  Our daughter was a huge part of this transplant, and we are so proud of the young lady she has become.  Being we have no family in the province, our daughter was the one to care for us after we were home.  She did laundry, made meals, even cleaned the house, imagine that of a 12 year old.  Don'y kid yourself, we're back to nagging at get her room cleaned, but we're okay with that!  We are very thankful to our friends who helped us, with bringing meals and comfort gifts for our healing.  We thank the Lord, our friends and our daughter!

Putting My Trust In God

Feeling a little more nervous each day.  I'm a very organized person, who plans EVERYTHING.  I will be going with a list of questions to the pre-op appointment.  I've already printed the maps of the floors for surgery, inpatient transplant floor, waiting area etc for our support people Yvonne & Megan.  The fear is always the unknown for me, and nobody can really prepare you for that since we are all unique individuals.  One may suffer a lot of pain, others very little. Some will need the pain meds, some need very little.  It's funny I'm the one who is normally in control of everything, and that day it will be me being out of the driver’s seat and it will be in the hands of the Surgeons, Dr's and nurses and of course the man who has arranged this all to work out to this point, God.  I won't be able to be in the room when my husband comes around and care for him either (although I know that my husband will be in the VERY GOOD Hands of the Dr's, nurses and the entire transplant team).  I know that I need to get better first in order to be there for the love of my life, and this is why I will sit back and let my maker work it out for me. I will put my trust in God!

It's a Pass

Tonight we got the news, the news of a date, amazing!!! It's set up for February 13th, it will be written in stone on Monday, but that is the date they said......oh my, I'm going to be giving my kidney to the love of my life!  It feels amazing to say it!  We are so thrilled that this has moved along the way it has!  God has a plan for each of us, and God is working miracles right here over our family, and I thank him for his guiding way.

Psalm 25:9
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram is done!  What a great team that got me in to the test fast, were extremly encouraging & helpful!  They were amazed beyond belief that I was going to be a donor to my husband.  Since often times that type of match up doesn't work.  I said to them we are "Soulmates" :)
They are going to rush this test to the Donor Assesment Team and I'm hoping early next week that we will have a surgery date!

It's Official.........

I met with the nephrologist today about all of my tests that I have taken since October 13, 2012, and she said that all my levels in blood are normal, my kidney function is very good (high functioning kidneys).  She took my blood pressure, which she said started off high and ended up going to normal (I've NEVER had high blood pressure)....just my nerves I think!  After she went through my history, which they do at every visit with every new Dr, she was pleased to tell me that I am healthy enough to give my kidney to my husband!  Altough I had VSD (heart murmur) from when I was 6 months old, she was sending me for an Echocardiogram, but she said that will not hinder the result of the donation.  My friend (more like a sister) was with me and her and I were thrilled beyond, thrilled.  I cried, I laughed, I cried some more...called some people to let them know the good news, text some people since my cell phone battery was DYING! 

What an AMAZING day!!  Not only did I hear that I was healthy & fit to give the love of my life a kidney to give him a new lease on life, I also heard that same day that my friend Michelle & her daughter Emma were coming home from the Hospital for Sick Kids where she battled Leukemia (AML).....an amazing blessed day! 

My life has been bettered by the people that have come into my life.  Postive people, loving people, spiritual people & the Lord......and for those people I am forever thankful! 

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Transplant Hospital - Phase 2 & 3......

I've heard from the transplant hospital today, I have my 4th Phase of the process this Friday.  I received the email with the letter that all results are in and that the donor doctor will reveal all to me on Friday.  We will see what is said at that time.  They may require more tests depending on what they have found, or who knows, maybe even a let's do this!  Obviously I'm hoping towards the option of let's get it done.  Either way I'm extremly happy that we're at the final Phase already and it only took 3 months to get there.  If more test are needed it's only in my best interest to ensure my health and safety. Praying, hoping & keeping faith!

Kidney Clinic Appointment

Kidney Care Clinic Appointment completed. Creatnine has elevated again (shows kidney's slowing down more), phosphorus is elevated slighty, Hemoglobin (oxygen in blood) is low....we've been moved from every other month appointments, to every month appointments now.  Updated his Dr on where I was in the process of being a donor.  Keeping a close on on the patient while I'm being worked up, trying to keep dialysis away.

Praying, hoping and keeping faith! 

A Way To Start The Week With Hope

Spoke to the Assesment team today and they still stated my date with the Donor Dr is tentative, as the surgeon needs to review mt CT Scan.  I was told everything looks normal (and I'm sure they've seen enough of these tests to know), but to go with the formality of it, it must be seen by the surgeon.

I have been told that my Chest X-Ray is good, the GFR has the left kidney at 52% and the right kidney at 48%, and that the CT Scan shows 2 arteries running to the left kidney, and 1 artery running to the right.

What is the importance of that you may ask?  They will take the kidney I use less of, which would be my right, however if there were 2 arteries running to that kidney they could not take it since it poses a risk to me, the donor.  The good news to hear is that only 1 artery is running to the less used kidney, so this is a plus!

Keeping you posted on the findings!

Psalms 71:14 - But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more

Results Are In

The results are in, and I've been told I have a tentative date to see the donor Dr, but I will hear more on Monday.  Everything looks good so they say!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Phase 2 & Phase 3

Wow today was a whirlwind.....testing for Phase 2 & Phase 3 are complete, now we wait on those results!  It's so exciting to come back from a much needed break to start the New Year off on a note such a this.  Most people would be down in the dumps with hospital testing, but not I, I'm excited.  I was frightened of the tests (the unknown), the needles more then anything, but I made it through!  I am thinking further ahead to actually having the operation and I can honestly say, I'm not fearful of this.....ok well maybe just the needles! LOL I have an amazing group of friends who I know are all behind us, what more can someone ask for but to just be there! 

Thank you to all our friends who have given us prayers, postive feedback and who have our back!  It means the world to us!

Ecclesiastes Chapter 4

⁹ Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
¹⁰ For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up.
¹¹ Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?
¹² And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from Jamaica!  A vacation to a sunny destination, from a winter wonderland to celebrate the coming of a New Year....2013!  What an amazing idea!!!! So happy that we decided to do this!  Family time, creating memories....that's what it's all about!  Happy New Year!  May this year bring you health & happiness!