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

Journaling March

 

The biggest news for March was my MOM & DAD 60^th ANNIVERSARY.

A lot was wrapped up into one weekend so here it goes.  Are you ready for a lot to read about my life and my family?  If you make it to the end, there is some other news.

Friday the 14^th

Took the day off work and drove to Calgary.  Up bright and early because somehow your internal alarm clock never fails but you know you have to set the alarm otherwise you’ll constantly wake up wondering if you’ve overslept. We couldn’t leave our dog, Meeka, at a kennel this time so we took him along for the trip. That always makes getting ready a lot of fun.  He gets so excited when he knows something is happening that’s not a regular routine, like packing and suitcases.  In the morning we had his bed ready to take sitting by the front door and he just sat in it as if to say “I’m going along guys”.   I feel sorry for him when we take him and then leave him in a semi-strange house to go do our stuff when we get there.  He really needs a lot of activity to burn off his energy. 

We are so glad to stay at Crystal & Mick’s home when we’re in Calgary and it sure has been cheaper on the pocket book.  They have a dog too, ‘Harley Winston III’, which is company for our dog when we’re out.  We have our own room there and it’s just so comfy and cozy.  I’m sure we may owe them a nice house gift eventually.  Anyways, it’s always great to arrive there.  We always have so much fun!  We ordered pizza for dinner after Luke & Craig came over as well.  It’s just a mini family reunion.  It’s just so good to catch up in person.

Saturday the 15^th

Mick cooked a great breakfast, that’s definitely his thing.  We so love his breakfasts!  The boys came back for breakfast and we had more visiting and laughs while we ate.  We left for my parents Anniversary at noon and all drove out together to Linden.  My family moved to Linden when I entered grade 8 and I met Greg in grade 9.  Our kids went to school in the area from K-12.  Everytime we drive out, well mostly everytime, we take a tour of the town and reminisce about the old days.  I believe we moved, well let’s count –

1.     Apartments in town where Craig was born
2.    Mobile Home on Greg’s parents Poultry Farm – Crystal was born here.
3.    Duplex back in town.
4.    Purchased new bungalow in town and Craig started Kindergarten.
5.    Mobile Home (newer) on Greg’s parents Poultry Farm – bus rides to school began.  I think they were in grade 2 & 3.
6.    The Big Farm House – as Greg’s folks were travelling with the African Children’s Choir (the original choir) and we were preparing to purchase the farm.
7.    Mobile Home again as Greg’s folks missed the big farm house when they returned from the choir.
8.     New house in town that we built, actually Greg’s Uncle Evan built.
9.     To Calgary
a.     Bungalow close to Confederation Park.
b.      Duplex on Center Street
c.      Townhouse in Ranchlands
d.     Purchased home in Sandstone
10.To Morden, Manitoba – and we’ve been here 5 years.  Time for a change J

So you see why there’s a lot of history in Linden and Calgary for me.

Now back to the weekend events.

 

 

The big festivities began when mom & dad arrived at my sister’s home.  I couldn’t believe how great my mom looked!  She gets her hair done at the Lodge now and I don’t think it’s ever looked better!  She was dressed in a blue dress, which I hadn’t seen in a while, with pearls and high heels.  Dad looked good too of course, but he just never changes really. 

We had cake and took lots of pictures.  Speaking of pictures, we gave mom & dad a digital frame so they could keep the photos running all day of the family.  Then my dad talked about when he met mom because some of the new family members had never heard these stories.

After a fantastic meal, things started to wind down but the wee kids seemed to have a burst of energy.  After hugs and sad good-byes to my parents and family, we drove back to Calgary.  After we arrived back at Crystal & Mick’s, we had a night cap and re-capped on the day’s memories.  These are the moments I cherish a lot.

 

Me and my hubby, Greg with Mom & Dad

Dad must be looking at the deer on the front lawn.

 

Hey, that’s my family!

 

Crystal & Mick

 

Luke & Craig

 

Me and my lovely daughter. 

Don’t know what happened to me though.

Me & Greg with my sister Brenda and husband Larry

 

 

 

All the grandchildren and spouses with Grandpa & Grandma

 

Sunday the 16^th

Breakfast at Cora’s has become a regular for us on Saturday or Sunday mornings.  Its menu is full of a healthy dose of fruit along side your regular breakfast menu.  Because Craig owns Calgary Hot Yoga, he had to teach a noon class so we wandered to a few stores before dropping him off at work.  The weather was pretty nice so we decided to take the dogs for a walk at an ‘off-leash’ park.  I’m not a city folk right now so I’m always a little nervous letting our dog just run, mainly because he’s such high energy.  Crystal & Mick’s dog, which is a miniature pincher of some kind and I know I’m getting that wrong right now, walks nicely down the path.  But he does have small feet so even walking in mud is no big deal. Our dog on the other hand is sniffing everything, walking thru everything from mud to water.  He is a mess and his belly is soaked.  Did I mention he’s a cocker spaniel.  That should explain it all.  Sorry Crystal & Mick for the mess in the back of your car. 

Back at their place we wait for Craig and then head out for dinner.  I really miss these times with our kids.  We watch a movie back at Crystal & Mick’s and just enjoy relaxing for our last evening with them.  I don’t think we finished the  marshmallow peeps.

 

Monday the 17^th

It’s back on the road again for 13 hours.  The trip is uneventful, which I suppose is good.  I feel like I’ve been on another planet.  It’s a very strange feeling to leave family, almost like you’re abandoning them because you know you can’t ‘be there’ in a minute should something happen.  I leave a lot also to my sister to care for our mom & dad.  Is it fair?  No, but that’s the cards life has dealt and we’re hoping time will be on our side to change this. 

I’m very thankful for all the ways we can keep in touch today.  The ways are endless so I’m not even going to begin naming the ways.  When we moved to Morden I was without internet for 3 weeks.  It was horrible!  Now I can Facebook, email, text, twitter or Instagram any news and know I’ve connected with someone and it feels good.  There’s nothing however like an old-fashioned phone call to hear a real voice and laugh and chat about life to make me feel like I’m close again to my loved ones.

 

So if you’ve read this and been totally bored, take one thing from it and that is to cherish the closeness of family and friends.  Love everyone. 

 

ON OTHER NEWS

I’m quite excited about selling my re-painted goods at a consignment store in a neighbouring town.  I’ve just made a portfolio and the store owners were vey excited to see some of the things I’ve done.  I’ll be bringing her some product next weekend.  We also chatted about some new things she’d like to see in her store and she asked if I would consider doing or making these for her.  So the challenge is on and Greg & I will be pursuing these ideas immediately.  So I’m excited!  

 

GETTING ORGANIZED

It’s not news to myself that I need to have lists and be very organized to feel productive.  Otherwise the world just spins and I accomplish very little.  March has been a practice month so see if I could stick to a schedule for the week and so far it’s actually been great.  Because my interests are in re-painting furniture, home décor and staging, sewing and blogging, I NEED to have a clear mind at all times. 

Now I can go to my 9-5 job and when I come home I feel like my real passion begins and I see what’s on the schedule for that night!  May sound crazy, but life is crazy and if we don’t take control and do what we can, we’ll be bumbling around and accomplish very little.

 

I’m hoping you enjoyed a peek into my life for March.  The month has gone very fast and I’m hoping April will see green grass and warmer temperatures for walking the dog.  New Spring pictures soon of my house décor too as I’m still buying and making my home warm and cozy for the warm season ahead.

 

Hopefully no April Fool’s jokes on you tomorrow.