I'm a Living Donor

NEXT Wednesday, January 4, 2017, Greg & I will be in our hospital rooms recovering from Greg’s kidney transplant. 

I thought tonight was a good time to blog because as the time gets closer, I don’t think I’ll have the mind set to do it.  I've started this post 3 times now. I want to write so much because there is so much history to this road we've been on but nothing sounds right and if I don't write in detail, nothing will make sense to you.  I think that's just where my mind is right now.  But I wanted to at least let you know where things were at.

It’s both frightening and exciting.  I try not think of the little details regarding surgery and instead we’re both trying to look at the big picture and to how this will change Greg’s health. 

I can’t help but remember the days that lead us to where we are today and Greg's stay in the Health Science Center in Winnipeg when they first diagnosed him with Wegener’s Disease.  How the disease affected his kidneys and the damage it caused.  It’s been a very long 2 years and we’re looking forward to 2017 and to Greg feeling better.  There will be times when the road will be hard but it will be worth it.  When I look back at the time spent in the hospital in Winnipeg, we can do this too!

I wanted to share just a few pictures of Greg’s hospital stay in Winnipeg just because it’s almost full circle now.  They bring so many memories with them.  

Oct. 7, 2014 - The first night in ICU at the Health Science Center in Winnipeg.  

Just before they sedated him fully. They gave him a clipboard to write on when he got too cold or itchy or needed the ventilator suctioned.  No it was not pretty sometimes.

You can't see the multiple tubes hooked in his neck in this picture.

One of many blood transfusions.

Many more medication were added that night.

I hated the sound from this machine that monitored Greg's breathing.

Obviously the door that led to the ICU rooms.  Such a forlorn feel to this area.

This was my hotel room #.  A little weird.

My view of the ICU from my room.  

The blue 2 storey oval building jutting out of the beige building.

 Oct. 25 - Out of ICU and in High Observation.  

Oct. 10 - The lung biopsy that gave the doctors some answers.

Nov. 4 - Out on an evening pass. 

Nov. 6 - Leaving the hospital and heading to hotel.
There we stayed one night till Craig arrived on the 7th.
We drove home on the 8th.

So for now, that’s all I’ll say.  I think we will be posting on Facebook from our beds in the hospital once we can sit without too much pain.  Otherwise, our children will probably keep family and friends informed as much as they see fitting.

Thanks for reading,

Bonny

A Christmas Letter

Morning,

It’s been a little while since I posted so I thought I’d best put something together, perhaps a Christmas type of letter. 

But here’s some festive photos first and then if you want, you can continue reading an update into our life.

The wind is howling outside this morning and was yesterday too.  I honestly would take -12 and colder if there is no wind.  I know the Chinooks are great here in Alberta but I just don’t like the wind.

I have to go out today and finish the small stuff for Christmas.  It should be quieter if I go this morning, fingers crossed.  It’s hard keeping focused on what I need and what I want. 

The important thing is that we are together with our kids on Christmas and with a little addition to the family.  Little Milo is quite the little man.  I believe Crystal mentioned using a timer so that everyone spends quality time with him.  But that means changing diapers too if that’s your time J

I always want the house to look good and the table to look inviting, but it’s the conversation around the table and the laughs that are the things remembered most.  

Greg and I are still waiting for that surgery date.  Seems that my side is always on the slow side and Greg’s side is waiting for my side.  Because we have separate doctors and surgeons and he’s the recipient and I’m the donor, they don’t just chat every day to see how we are doing.  There are a lot of people just like us that they are caring for.  Anyways we have been given the month of January so we are still hoping this happens.  If not, February is good too.  But we know it is happening and that is both scary and exciting. Greg is pretty much nauseated every day with periods of vomiting.  I just can't imagine waking up every day to this.   He's also tired a lot and it doesn't take much to take the wind out of him.  Yesterday we did our recycling and when he had the truck loaded he was panting pretty good. He at least lets me do the shoveling.  Cold is another factor. He just can't get warm enough. But he is so determined and when I ask him how he's doing, he says "great" and two thumbs up.  Sort of ticks me off but I get it.  I know how he's doing but I have to ask.  

My dad will have his first Christmas with mom in the nursing home.  He’s stated that it is lonely many times but he’s getting more involved in the lodge playing bingo and helping with kitchen duties.  We are planning to go with the kids on the 24^th and see him and mom.  I think he’ll be very happy and probably cry.  We do these things because I know he is lonely and I don’t understand what it’s like to be in his shoes, I can only imagine visiting your spouse and then coming home to a lonely room and being ALONE.  It’s hard to say but I can’t travel that road for him.  I can only try to help. 

I haven’t done much of anything along the lines of furniture painting.  Truth be told I just cannot get excited about it at this time.  That’s why there hasn’t been anything to post along that line.  I still love gathering ideas and photos and one day, I’ll be back and crazy busy.

Have a wonderful Christmas with loved ones around you and give big hugs to everyone!!

Bonny