I have waited to post another update...wanting not to write again until I got the kind of news I did this morning. You see, Lee's body had been trying to reject the kidney... Ok, that was hard not to take to heart. It has been a rocky road for him the last couple of weeks, even with some good indications that the kidney was working. It's just not that simple. It looks now like they have gotten things into control with a regement of medication that he will have to be on for at least a few more days. With any luck that is how simple it will be now, this chapter will be over, and he and his family can get on with the normal things in a day. If you want to read about what has happened with him since the surgery you should go to www.onepoundheavier.blogspot.com
It will be 3 weeks since the surgery tomorrow. I am back on Maui now recovering well. I am going a little stir crazy, but I sort of knew that would happen. I am still easy to tire out, a little sore around my incisions, and have a little low back ache (where the kidney used to be). MK pain I call it... (missing kidney). Yep, That's it. I otherwise feel completley normal. I look normal too (at least as normal as I ever did) and the only problem with that is that it is decieving. I feel I "should" be able to do more and then when I do, I am reminded by my body that I am still healing. I have never wanted to go back to work so bad and have a schedule. I am doing some projects around home, but that doesn't feel as rewarding as working. I have 5 more weeks until I can return back to work. I am allowed to drive again, and I went on my first two (slow) walks in the last 4 days. Today, Geoff and I played a round of putt putt!
I have felt so blessed with the love and affection from friends the last few weeks. I have so many good friends who have really gone out of their way to help me out. I was brought a Christmas tree. I have been brought meals. Before I was allowed to drive, I have had friends pick me up and get me out of the house and have many people checking up on me. It has really hellped the days go by a bit easier.
Thank you so much for your support! It has meant so much to me...
Monday, January 5, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Our Hero
Our Hero...
...Strong beyond measure,
...Un-Selfishly giving of herself,
...Without hesitation or worry,
...Committed to helping others,
...Unconditionally loving all,
...Determined to help,
...Beautiful, both internally an externally,
...We all Love
Geoffrey
...Strong beyond measure,
...Un-Selfishly giving of herself,
...Without hesitation or worry,
...Committed to helping others,
...Unconditionally loving all,
...Determined to help,
...Beautiful, both internally an externally,
...We all Love
Geoffrey
One Pound Less, Truly
(written by Geoffrey, through the eyes (and Kidney) of Erica)
Despite some typical post surgery soreness, the procedure of removing my kidney was a great success. Here is how the last couple of days went:
We arrived to a -20 degrees Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. Welcomed by Lee and Tara, after two amazing weeks spent snowboarding accross Colorado, we were here to complete the end of our journey and donate my kidney to Lee.
All day Monday, literally from 6 am to 5 pm, was spent at the hospital meeting the nursing staff, the surgeons, and re-confirming all the tests to ensure that I was healthy and a good match to donate my Kidney. I have to say, that we made a great choice to have the procedure done in Minnesota at the University Hospital. The only thing better would be if we could move the hospital to sunny and warm Arizona, so Geoff could play a few rounds of golf while patiently waiting for me to get better, but other than that, the hospital has been exceptional. My surgeons were/are awesome, both Geoff and I felt very comfortable with their experience and knowledge. This helped to re-confirm my decision to complete what I came here to do. In addition, my doctor who would be removing my Kidney has very small hands, which means that my incision would be relatively small. The size of incision has to be large enough for the Dr. to place his hands in me and carefully "pull-out" my kidney.
The day of the surgery began very, very early, I felt bad for Geoff, because he had to wake up at 4:30 am to accompany me to the hospital, but he said he would not have it any other way (It is true!!). We checked into the hospital and a couple of hours later at 8:01 am, I was wheeled from the pre-op waiting room to the operating room. This is my last memory after the feel good drugs I began to receive.
I was awakened, "one pound less, of course" at around 12:15 pm. According to Geoff, when the surgical team described the success of the procedure to him after the surgery, they were happy because it was another "boring day" on the operating table. Boring is good to surgeons, there were no surprises or complications. I only lost a couple tablespoons of blood, that is pretty amazing to think, when you really think about what they did to me. The surgeons talk about the procedure so non-challantly, just as if your auto mechanic is changing your oil filter (Pun intended: Our kidney's do the same thing in our body as does your oil filter does in your car). To them its another day in the office, to us, where changing our lives, both mine and Lee's forever.
Once again, as explained to Geoff by the surgical team, my Kidney is extremely healthy. It was very pink as it should be, and was producing urine, as it is should be, while they were actually carrying it across the hall to Lee's surgical room. Lee's body accepted my donation without complications and the Dr.'s say that it is working great. "I am so Happy!!" (Erica continually repeats aloud) Lee's is doing great as well!!
Today, day #1, after now living with one Kidney, I feel sore where the incision was made, and other than that it is hard to really tell because I am still little intoxicated from the anesthesia and pain medications that that I have been receiving to make myself comfortable after the surgery. I am spending the day in and out of sleep to speed my recovery process. The Dr.'s say I should be (keep your fingers crossed) out of the hospital tomorrow. Thank goodness because the lady next to really likes to talk, a little to much for my taste and my current state.
We will keep you updated as I progress in my healing. Sorry, for the lack of communication yesterday, I changed the password to this site, and I forgot to tell Geoff prior to going into surgery, so today is the earliest I could get it to him.
We appreciate everyone's love, support, and prayer's. We feel them all they way over here in far away and cold Minnesota. Minnesota is place neither Geoff or I don't really have strong desire to return to, at least during the winter that it is! Feel free to contact Geoff to send your support.
Love Erica,
(and Geoff)
Despite some typical post surgery soreness, the procedure of removing my kidney was a great success. Here is how the last couple of days went:
We arrived to a -20 degrees Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. Welcomed by Lee and Tara, after two amazing weeks spent snowboarding accross Colorado, we were here to complete the end of our journey and donate my kidney to Lee.
All day Monday, literally from 6 am to 5 pm, was spent at the hospital meeting the nursing staff, the surgeons, and re-confirming all the tests to ensure that I was healthy and a good match to donate my Kidney. I have to say, that we made a great choice to have the procedure done in Minnesota at the University Hospital. The only thing better would be if we could move the hospital to sunny and warm Arizona, so Geoff could play a few rounds of golf while patiently waiting for me to get better, but other than that, the hospital has been exceptional. My surgeons were/are awesome, both Geoff and I felt very comfortable with their experience and knowledge. This helped to re-confirm my decision to complete what I came here to do. In addition, my doctor who would be removing my Kidney has very small hands, which means that my incision would be relatively small. The size of incision has to be large enough for the Dr. to place his hands in me and carefully "pull-out" my kidney.
The day of the surgery began very, very early, I felt bad for Geoff, because he had to wake up at 4:30 am to accompany me to the hospital, but he said he would not have it any other way (It is true!!). We checked into the hospital and a couple of hours later at 8:01 am, I was wheeled from the pre-op waiting room to the operating room. This is my last memory after the feel good drugs I began to receive.
I was awakened, "one pound less, of course" at around 12:15 pm. According to Geoff, when the surgical team described the success of the procedure to him after the surgery, they were happy because it was another "boring day" on the operating table. Boring is good to surgeons, there were no surprises or complications. I only lost a couple tablespoons of blood, that is pretty amazing to think, when you really think about what they did to me. The surgeons talk about the procedure so non-challantly, just as if your auto mechanic is changing your oil filter (Pun intended: Our kidney's do the same thing in our body as does your oil filter does in your car). To them its another day in the office, to us, where changing our lives, both mine and Lee's forever.
Once again, as explained to Geoff by the surgical team, my Kidney is extremely healthy. It was very pink as it should be, and was producing urine, as it is should be, while they were actually carrying it across the hall to Lee's surgical room. Lee's body accepted my donation without complications and the Dr.'s say that it is working great. "I am so Happy!!" (Erica continually repeats aloud) Lee's is doing great as well!!
Today, day #1, after now living with one Kidney, I feel sore where the incision was made, and other than that it is hard to really tell because I am still little intoxicated from the anesthesia and pain medications that that I have been receiving to make myself comfortable after the surgery. I am spending the day in and out of sleep to speed my recovery process. The Dr.'s say I should be (keep your fingers crossed) out of the hospital tomorrow. Thank goodness because the lady next to really likes to talk, a little to much for my taste and my current state.
We will keep you updated as I progress in my healing. Sorry, for the lack of communication yesterday, I changed the password to this site, and I forgot to tell Geoff prior to going into surgery, so today is the earliest I could get it to him.
We appreciate everyone's love, support, and prayer's. We feel them all they way over here in far away and cold Minnesota. Minnesota is place neither Geoff or I don't really have strong desire to return to, at least during the winter that it is! Feel free to contact Geoff to send your support.
Love Erica,
(and Geoff)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
We have started the countdown
We have started the count down with less than a week to go. Geoff and I have been traveling for the last 2 weeks. We spent a week with his family (so nice) in Palm Desert over Thanksgiving, and then the last week and a half in Colorado just spending time with friends and snowboarding. We have been in Boulder, Vail and now Telluride, and will be driving to Denver on Saturday (long drive) to fly out to Minnesota on Sunday. Geoff has been a great travel companion... we have had so much fun.
Monday is a really big day... all day at the hospital re-doing almost all of the medical tests including cross matching. We will meet the surgical team, nursing staff, and support staff. We will get to become familiar with where every thing is and so on. I will be fed a light lunch at 2pm and then only liquids until after surgery on the following day.
I had a nice long conversation last week with my Surgeon (Dr Dunn). I feel very comfortable with her. She has been doing this for a long time, and besides having a great track record she is also an excellent communicator. (I am so thankful for that!)
So I guess we will round the final corner soon. Just wanted to give a quick update on the little happenings along the way. I am feeling just as I did in the beginning... like this is meant to be. I feel very confidant that all things will go smoothly. I have appreciated all of your love and support.
Erica
Monday is a really big day... all day at the hospital re-doing almost all of the medical tests including cross matching. We will meet the surgical team, nursing staff, and support staff. We will get to become familiar with where every thing is and so on. I will be fed a light lunch at 2pm and then only liquids until after surgery on the following day.
I had a nice long conversation last week with my Surgeon (Dr Dunn). I feel very comfortable with her. She has been doing this for a long time, and besides having a great track record she is also an excellent communicator. (I am so thankful for that!)
So I guess we will round the final corner soon. Just wanted to give a quick update on the little happenings along the way. I am feeling just as I did in the beginning... like this is meant to be. I feel very confidant that all things will go smoothly. I have appreciated all of your love and support.
Erica
Monday, November 17, 2008
Link to transplant center
Here is a link to the University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview. You can learn all about the proceedure and a ton about kidneys!
www.fairviewtransplant.org/kidney/
Erica
www.fairviewtransplant.org/kidney/
Erica
To Where we are today
I never thought I would learn so much about kidneys... they are amazing little things really. Most of us are born with two kidneys... their function is to clean our blood. My friend Lee, was born with a disease called IGA nephropathy. At 29 years old, he is a husband to Tara and father of a 14 month old named Karen. His disease has progressed rapidly over the last year, and his kidney function is really low (a dangerous 7%). He got on the national transplant list as soon as he was allowed... at the bottom of 77,000 other people. Bottom line, he won't make it to the top of that list. Like many others, there are many more people in need than cadaver kidneys available. It is clear... he had to find a living donor.
When I met Lee 8 months ago, and learned about his need for a kidney transplant, I offered my help... I offered my spare. It is really amazing that it turned out we were a compatible blood type and a perfect match. I have made it through a rigorous set of medical exams to make sure that I am perfectly healthy (I am), and have even acquired my own Nephrologist (kidney specialist).
Today, the board of surgeons at the transplant center gave me their final stamp of approval to be Lee's kidney donor, and a surgery date was scheduled. The surgery will happen at the University of Minnesota Medical center on December 16Th. The U. of MN does more kidney transplants than any other hospital each year. I will be in the hospital for 2-4 days, recover in a hotel near the hospital for 4 more days, and hopefully return to Maui before Christmas. Geoff and I will be arriving in Minnesota together after our vacation. He will be with me, supporting me, and caring for me... like he always is here on Maui! Hopefully, I won't be too grumpy the first couple of days. I am so happy and feel so fortunate that he can be there, by my side.
I expect life with one kidney to be the same as life with two. Yep, I can run as many miles as I want with just one kidney. One kidney does 96% of your function, and the kidney that is left will grow up to 50% larger to compensate for the loss... pretty neat stuff! No problem if I want to have children... giving a kidney won't impare getting pregnant or carrying a child to full term (thanks Vern). I will have a 3 inch scar low on my abdomen. I will come home one pound lighter (that is how much each kidney weighs). I will no longer be able to take Ibuprofen or eat grapefruit... don't do much of either anyway.
I expect that any one close enough to me to be reading this will remember that I'm not very religious. That said, my belief in God is unwavering, as is my belief in destiny. I feel strongly that we are all here to help one another, and though this is a very big thing... the decision to help Lee and his family is easy. I could only hope, that if I ever find myself in this kind of need, someone would help me. We are all on this journey together.
I have appreciated all of your support up to this point in this process. I have a wonderful family and amazing friends. Feel free to get updates when you want them, or post a comment (something funny would be nice). Geoff will be updating this regularly. This will be a great way to inform everyone of my progress before, during and after the surgery.
Love to all!
Erica
When I met Lee 8 months ago, and learned about his need for a kidney transplant, I offered my help... I offered my spare. It is really amazing that it turned out we were a compatible blood type and a perfect match. I have made it through a rigorous set of medical exams to make sure that I am perfectly healthy (I am), and have even acquired my own Nephrologist (kidney specialist).
Today, the board of surgeons at the transplant center gave me their final stamp of approval to be Lee's kidney donor, and a surgery date was scheduled. The surgery will happen at the University of Minnesota Medical center on December 16Th. The U. of MN does more kidney transplants than any other hospital each year. I will be in the hospital for 2-4 days, recover in a hotel near the hospital for 4 more days, and hopefully return to Maui before Christmas. Geoff and I will be arriving in Minnesota together after our vacation. He will be with me, supporting me, and caring for me... like he always is here on Maui! Hopefully, I won't be too grumpy the first couple of days. I am so happy and feel so fortunate that he can be there, by my side.
I expect life with one kidney to be the same as life with two. Yep, I can run as many miles as I want with just one kidney. One kidney does 96% of your function, and the kidney that is left will grow up to 50% larger to compensate for the loss... pretty neat stuff! No problem if I want to have children... giving a kidney won't impare getting pregnant or carrying a child to full term (thanks Vern). I will have a 3 inch scar low on my abdomen. I will come home one pound lighter (that is how much each kidney weighs). I will no longer be able to take Ibuprofen or eat grapefruit... don't do much of either anyway.
I expect that any one close enough to me to be reading this will remember that I'm not very religious. That said, my belief in God is unwavering, as is my belief in destiny. I feel strongly that we are all here to help one another, and though this is a very big thing... the decision to help Lee and his family is easy. I could only hope, that if I ever find myself in this kind of need, someone would help me. We are all on this journey together.
I have appreciated all of your support up to this point in this process. I have a wonderful family and amazing friends. Feel free to get updates when you want them, or post a comment (something funny would be nice). Geoff will be updating this regularly. This will be a great way to inform everyone of my progress before, during and after the surgery.
Love to all!
Erica
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