Post Kidney Swap

It's already 2 weeks ago this day that we arrived out of surgery!

Wow! To us it seems like 3 weeks.

2016 ended very sad with the passing of my mom on New Year's Eve.

Her funeral is this Saturday the 21st.

From my Journal

Jan. 2 ~

Greg and I did some running around with errands.  We only had today to do them and originally I had so many things on my list like recycling because I just wanted things to be clean when we got home from the hospital.  All these things did not happen. 

The previous day we gathered at my sister’s home.  Mom passed away Dec. 31 at 10:59 with dad, Brenda and April with her.  I was a bit upset with myself for going home earlier that evening after spending the previous 2 days with her.  It was very hard to decide.  If only I had known.  Mom could have held on for several days but I knew that Greg needed rest for the upcoming surgery. 

We did the errands we had time for and what was the most important.  There was a time when dad said to us, “You have to go ahead with the surgery”.  We did have a moment when we thought about cancelling after mom passed.

It was a strange day.  I went from crying to anxiousness.  It wasn’t fair really.  I needed to mourn my mom and I needed to do this surgery for Greg.  Otherwise the date for surgery could be months away again.  Mom’s funeral would take place after we were home and feeling a bit better.

In the afternoon, my niece April, moved in to help take care of our dog while we were gone.  She sent photos to us in the hospital.  They got along just fine.  Such a relief.

Jan. 3 ~

We were to call the hospital admittance number at 10 a.m.  Greg called and a very pleasant voice answered.  She knew exactly who we both were.  That was nice to hear.  She’d call us back when our rooms were ready.  It was a busy morning discharging patients.  Our kids arrived in the morning and visited with us until we had to leave. 

At 1:00 Greg called again.  They had only 1 room ready.  We reminded the nurse that we were 45 min – 1 hr away so she said we could come in.  We left around 1:30 with Crystal and Milo.  Mick had to work that day.  Luke & Craig followed.  I was pretty calm now.  This was happening and we were on our way.

After admittance and our tags were on, we went to Unit 37, the transplant unit.  Here we were led to Greg’s room where I waited till my room was ready.  Finally they told me to follow to my room.  It was a private room and huge!  Greg was just a little jealous.  It worked out so good having a larger room with the kids visiting because they brought Milo every time and it was so good to see and hear him too.

We took turns doing our EKG tests lying on Greg’s bed and then we were taken for X-Rays.  By the time we got back to our rooms our supper was cold.  I don’t even remember what it was but we gobbled that up in a hurry. 

The kids had supper in the hospital and left shortly after that.  Tomorrow they said they’d be back at 6:00 a.m. and see us before going into surgery.  Our kids were such a blessing!  I told them I wanted them to tell me when dad was back in recovery tomorrow.

That evening went a bit slow after they left.  Greg and I sat together and watched TV and talked.  Before long it was time for a sleepy pill.

Jan. 4 ~

It was still dark in my room when I heard the kids enter my room.  This was the day.  Greg was only 2 rooms down and it wasn’t long before Craig said they were taking Greg down first.  I guess whatever Porter is free and gets instructions first.  I got out of bed and met Greg in the hallway.  I’m so glad the kids were there.  I don’t know if the porter would have taken Greg down before I got to kiss him.  I think the nurses knew but I can’t remember.  Craig went down to pre-op with Greg.  This is all a blur to me and I wish I could remember it more clearly.  It wasn’t more than a few minutes and it was my turn to be wheeled down to pre-op.  Crystal went down with me.  Luke and Mick stayed back in our rooms with Milo.

So, there we both lay on our beds looking at each other in the pre-op area. They tried to move us closer but the area was too restricted.  It seemed to take a while but I watched the surgeons going back and forth.  The anesthesiologist visited me first and went thru some procedures and questions.  I watched as another anesthesiologist went to Greg and did the same thing.  But I knew this was a very hard time for Greg.  His experience with being intubated went so wrong when he was in Winnipeg and the nightmares it caused him were terrifying.  He told the anesthesiologist of this experience and was told it would not happen again and he was in good hands.  I was so thankful and knew he would be ok.  Later I learned that as soon as Greg was in the OR, he was put to sleep immediately so he didn’t have any chance to be anxious.

When it was time to go into the OR for me, I walked over the Greg and kissed him.  I’m sure I said I’d see him soon, I don’t remember.  I walked to the washroom and then into the OR with the nurse.  It’s definitely not like Grey’s Anatomy in the OR.  I lay on the table and truthfully you’re told it’s going to be cold but I don’t remember it being that cold.  Several people bustled about and one nurse by my side was very kind.  I stretched out my arms and they did their thing.  Then the anesthesiologist asked if I was ready for my red wine.  I said I sure was.  That’s all I remember till I was in the recovery room.

I felt like a cement slab.  The heaviness I felt was over powering and I didn’t move.  At around 2:00 p.m. I heard Greg being wheeled into the recovery room.  So weird.  They said his name but I just couldn’t lift my head to see for myself.  I saw the clock on the wall and knew it was either 1:50 or 2:10.  At some point the sun shone so bright on my face from somewhere in that room.  It felt so good.  I think it was God saying he was there and everything was good.  I had prayed a lot the days leading up to the surgery.  You just don’t know what God’s plans are for you.  I was hoping we were on the same page and that He had a plan for us.  I sometimes just said “Jesus” because I had no words anymore.  After 2 ½ years, he knew my heart and what we both wanted.  Plus, we had a new grandson to see grow up.

Soon, I was being wheeled to my room, groggy and heavy lidded.  I remember the kids there and Milo talking.  At one point, Crystal shushed him but I said, “He’s ok”.  Greg’s mom and sister came to see me but visiting was very limited yet. 

I remember the kids telling me that Greg was in recovery and then in his room.  I told them the night before that I needed them to tell me this.  He came to my room the next day and stood at my door.  I got out of bed and met him there but that's all I could handle.  He was doing so good!  He was walking very good.  The surgeons were very happy with how the surgery went and they were very happy with Greg's results.  My little kidney was a trooper!

We left the hospital on the 9th together and are now recuperating just fine at home.  There are reminders each day to take it slow.  We are resting and watching TV, taking very short walks (2 exactly) when the weather permits and eating pretty good.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.  I must go now and sit on the couch and see what delights await on TV. 

 Walking to the Sun Room. 

Visiting with Milo

My private room before they moved me

 My second room.  Nice view though

 Greg chillin'

 Greg's view of Sarcee Trail

Going home

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

Looking Back and Ahead

I think it’s time for another update on what’s happening in our world.

I’d sure like to blog more like at least once a week but there just isn’t enough time.  There are too many other things that are more important at times and that’s just part of our life.

Greg’s been hangin’ in there and waiting patiently for his kidney transplant.  I do believe that everything happens at the right time.  There were so many instances that happened when Greg was in the hospital and looking back it was truly amazing how lots of things just worked out.  But, he’s definitely getting more and more tired and to top things off he’s nauseated every day, all day.  That’s the results of a failing kidney. 

Greg has an appointment at the end of September and we’re hoping for some good news like perhaps a surgery date.  I try not to think about the details and how this will all unfold.  As time progresses you can think about and deal with what’s on your plate and when the time comes, I hope we’ll be all good.

I’ve recently finished writing all about Greg’s hospital stay in Winnipeg.  It was hard to write and I found myself reliving the whole thing and weeping because the smells and the feelings all are still so real.  

I’ve inserted a brief passage of the day they transferred Greg to the ICU in Winnipeg.  If you also look in the column to the right you’ll see a ‘Featured Post’ that I wrote in September of 2014 before everything unfolded.  You should probably read this post first.  

Here's a short look into that day Greg was admitted into ICU.

 Five days later on Oct. 7, the Respirologist (sometimes referred to as pulmonologists, are medical doctors who further specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of lung disease, such as asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia) came to see Greg and said, “We have to move him to the ICU”. 

Ok, this was better.  By the time they rolled Greg into a space in ICU, we heard the doctor talking at the desk to someone regarding a transfer to the Health Science Center.  The name ‘Greg Esau’ rang thru the air.  We looked at each other.  Winnipeg!?  Really!  I began to panic inside.  Greg looked so sad and scared.  It all seemed so much and no one even was talking to me, they were too busy hooking up Greg, then their instructions changed as they needed to prep him for the transfer to Winnipeg.  There was no official ‘this is what we are doing’, it was unspoken.  I felt lost and alone.  It was happening very fast.  

I haven’t decided yet how I will post these writings but I’ll work on that as they are lengthy.

We celebrated our 37^th anniversary this month.  I began to think about how many times we had moved in our marriage and came up with this list:

First married we lived in a four-plex in Linden

. . . Craig was born

Moved to the family farm and lived in an old mobile home

. . . Crystal was born

Moved to town (Linden) into a newer four-plex

Bought our first home – a bungalow

. . . Craig started school

Moved back to the family farm into a newer mobile home

. . . Craig and Crystal rode the bus to school

Moved into Greg’s parents big house on the farm

Moved back into the mobile home on the farm

Built a new house in Linden

. . . Craig and Crystal graduated high school

Moved to Calgary and rented an old house by Confederation Park

Moved into a duplex that Greg’s brother purchased in Calgary

Moved into a townhouse in Calgary in Ranchlands

Purchased our second home in Calgary in Sandstone

Moved to Morden, Manitoba

. . . lived there 7 years

Moved back to Airdrie, Alberta

I wonder if we’re done moving?  Maybe not.

Anyways, we’re happy in our home here in Airdrie and I’m slowly getting the house painted.  Maybe in the new year it will be complete. 

Greg and I are looking forward to things taking on a new look in the new year and going camping and hiking and even renovating the house.

AND we have to take our new grandson to the zoo!  He sure has been a blessing and we’re waiting for those first smiles to come!

Gunner is being a true puppy at heart.  Boy, does he have energy

and sometimes at the wrong time.  He loves to jump on company and just wants to play.  He also thinks it’s time to race around the house when we are heading to bed.  I’m so glad he’s good company for Greg during the day.  Since we got him he spends a good part of the day in Greg’s office at this feet curled up in an afghan.  Sometimes I’ll be doing housework and I’ll find him downstairs with Greg.

My list of projects are still very much the same.  I just went to the Etsy Calgary event with my daughter and I got a little excited again to pursue the things I love to do most.  First and foremost I spend my time with Greg most evenings.  I just can’t work all day and then come home to say that I’m going to paint downstairs.  I’m not like that.  There’s a season for everything.

Well, I must go and make a cup of tea and see why it’s so quiet in the living room.  I’m sure I’ll find puppy curled up with Greg on the sofa.

Till later,

Bonny

Being a Living Donor and Everything Around That!

I told you I’d be back with news!

I am a match for Greg’s kidney transplant!

Wow, so much has happened in the last month that I have to check my journal so I don’t miss anything.

Just a quick re-cap.  Well, not really. 

This is a longer post, but good.

I’m writing this in date order, not in order of importance.

~February 22, the same day I went into the Foothills for my extensive match testing was the same day our puppy “Meeka” passed away.

~March 9^th Greg got the Shingles.  We just couldn’t believe his luck, but he was very lucky as they were contained to mainly his left side of the neck and down around the back and chest.  It was an amazingly small area after seeing the images on the web.  Then as quick as they appeared they seemed to go away.  The scars or blemishes are still there and sometimes he feels them ache but I think he was pretty lucky.  He hates when I say that because I had really no clue how painful they were, whether you have a few of a lot, they are still apparently terrible.

I only did a small photo - I think Greg would prefer that :)

After Meeka passed, we toyed with getting another puppy, but when was a good time?  I checked periodically on the web and found lots of cute pups but still wasn’t sure.  Something wasn’t sitting right as I looked at these little guys.  Greg was also searching the web and he thought the right puppy will find us! 

Well he sure did.  He was a lone pup and that still seems to be a bit fuzzy to us.  He was definitely the cutest of all we’d seen and the color we wanted so why only this guy left?  Greg called the lady and she did a short interview on the phone.  She is a championship dog breeder and wants to make sure her pups go to the right home.  I don’t blame her.  After talking with Greg she said she had made her decision. 

 ~April 8^th we bought our puppy. We had seen only 3 pictures of the “wee monster” as the breeder called him and we fell in love.  But we had to wait 3 weeks to pick him up.  He was born March 6^th. 

~April 20^th I had my appointment with the kidney doctor and found out I was a match for Greg’s kidney transplant!  Another chapter in life just opened up.  We were so happy but also scared because the next step brings up more questions and concerns.  I do have to change my blood pressure by more exercise and they will test this in 3 months again.  If there is no change then they will put me on pills.  They prefer I do it without drugs because after surgery I will definitely NEED to be on the pills.  I also need to do another EKG on May 6 because when my doctor looked at the printout, she noticed that one of the markers they put on my body was probably placed wrong as it gave a straight line read-out. 

~April 22^nd Greg had his 3^rd Rotaximub infusion at the Foothills hospital.  Because I was off work that day I spent most of the day with him.  It feels strange to see this drug that saves your husbands life go into his blood stream and you just hope there’s no complications.  

Careful! This photo MAY be offensive to some!

Greg is always trying to use that finger in my photos-he knows I hate it, 

but it's become a game to see how fast I am at taking pics.  

Sorry hon, this time I used the photo.

~April 29^th we picked up our puppy.  His name is Gunner.  We named him after Sam Palladio who plays Gunner on Nashville.  Greg loves the way that guy sings and plays guitar on the show.

~May 6 my EKG went fine.  No problems with the read-out this time. 

Gunner is 2 months old today and we have started a growth picture album for him.  Yup we are those people now.

~May 7 it was time for some family fun.  We celebrated my sister’s 60^th birthday.  It was good to see my mom and dad there.  Time will come when they won’t be able to come to these events anymore.

~May 8 Mother’s Day.  I love and hate this day.  I brought my mom a bouquet of flowers and gave them to her yesterday at the birthday party.  I told her I brought her some flowers for Mothers Day.  Her response was weak as she does not comprehend these things anymore, or should I say she does in the moment, but it just does not register what it actually means.  So sad, but that is dementia.  I have 2 children and they are married to great spouses and I’m very happy that they are happy.  I love them all dearly!  My lack of love for this day is because we put so much advertising and commercialization into the day that I feel so bad for the mom’s without children.  This is a very sensitive matter in our family and it makes my heart ache.  This year the kids gave me a plant.  I love plants and I hope I can keep this one alive, so far so good. 

Here's my sister Brenda on the left and me on the right. 

Our mom, Virginia or "Ginny" of course in the middle. 

I knew you'd know that but I still had to mention her.

Me and my sister.

My dear hubby.  

You'd never know he was waiting for a new kidney, but he's not mowing the lawn here.

Our nephew, Dustin, who turned 33 on his mom's birthday.

~May 18 Greg met with his doctor to discuss a possible surgery date as I have been matched.  It was quite depressing for Greg to hear that they still need to wait until his kidney function is below 15% for 3 consecutive testings before they will do the transplant.  He is now at 16/17%.  My kidney function is at 98%.  The doctor said he would be quite happy if Greg stayed at this level for the rest of his life.  Greg told him that was not acceptable.  And we understand policy but if there is a kidney available that is healthy today, why are they risking waiting.  What if things change for me in a month or 6 months?  What if I get sick and everything is put on hold for Greg when they decide the time is right for him?  On the other hand, Greg is not on dialysis so we are thankful for that.  He finds it so hard to mow the lawn and have to rest repeatedly in between.  He pushes himself to work hard physically and I wonder if this is good for him but I understand that he feels he needs too.  He was raised to work hard and do a good job so not feeling like you can do it all is very hard for him. 

~May 25 Greg met with his Rheumotologist, Dr. Fifi-Mah.  She calls all the shots with his vasculitis medication.  She is now slowly reducing the Prednisone that Greg is on.  For one month his doses with decrease.  She said it’s good to sometimes give your body a break and let it rebuild itself and see how it goes.  If Greg notices any symptoms where his vasculitis is getting out of control again, then she will increase his dose again.  This will also cause his kidney function to go down.  Without saying more, perhaps this is a way to get around policy.  Either way, I hope there are no serious side effects for Greg and he will get his new kidney sooner than later.

~May 27 was our first camping trip of the season with Gunner.  It drizzled most of the weekend but we didn’t care.  We still sat around the fire, went for walks and a drive, and did a lot of talking (mostly me).  

Wrestling with Gunner in the camper before bed.

A drive to Canmore overlooking the dam.

 Thanks for staying and reading.

See you next time,

Bonny