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