Deportation
It has been a week since I was de-ported. The surgeries went well and all the ports are removed. I am collecting my thoughts about having all the ports, doing dialysis and relying on a machine to stay alive.
The post-op folks had trouble getting me awake and when they had me up; I had the shakes and was sick for the rest of the day. The discharge nurse said almost all the patients were having trouble. She mentioned something the anesthesiologist was using. (I do remember something on my face, but once I get hazy, it’s all over. We got to a “holding area” right before going in the OR and Shelley kept telling me I was in that area right before they took me into the OR for the transplant. I did not recall ever being there. When I go, I go.)
My shoulder and chest have been bruised and sore all week. But after a couple of days, I did enjoy a hot shower! I head back to the hospital this week for stitch removal and more tests.
It is odd not having the catheters in my chest and the tubes running under my skin. I guess I became accustomed to them. (I catch myself trying to feel the tubes to “check” on them.) I’m not complaining that they are gone, but it will be more of an adjustment than I thought it would be.
Surgery, Again
The
Astros need to win tonight. I don’t think I will be up to watching anything tomorrow or the rest of the week. I got the call and instead of waiting around for an OR (operating room), there is one scheduled in the morning for the removal of the dialysis catheters. It is back to the hospital tomorrow morning. They called to give me directions and information where to park. I was fluent in what they were talking about, unfortunately.
I look forward to having these
tubes out of my chest. If there is a place called “normal” anymore, without them will get me a little closer to that location. It is easy to complain about them, but in reality, these things saved my life. I have to keep that in mind. In addition, these things helped to spare my arm. Because they worked well (and because there were potential donors), I did not have to get a fistula. Saving the extremities is important with this disease. I have thought about asking to see the catheters. I was so sick when they were put in, I did not think to ask about what they looked like. Moreover, I was so sick, I did not think to ask how they were going to be inserted and removed! (But if you are curious, here is a
video. Warning: it is graphic.)
In addition to removing the catheters in my chest, they are going to do another surgery, an ureteroscopy, to remove a stent in the new kidney’s ureter. The initial procedure was scheduled to be outpatient, as an office visit. (That will never be my preference.) I have lobbied hard that this be a two-fer. As long as I am going to be out, let’s do both. Fortunately, good sense prevailed and both surgeries will be done on the same day – with anesthesia!
Later in the week, it will be back to the hospital for more testing. Compared to surgery, the blood draws are a piece of cake. I never thought I’d say something like that.
Next Week...
Surgery is postponed to next week due to no OR available. OK, I'll wait a week for a hot shower.
As usual, a visit to the hospital renders yet another prescription!
One Month
Yesterday was one month with the new kidney. I celebrated by going to the hospital for more tests. It was the usual encounter with the medical vampires. After a while a little blood begins to add up and by the end of the day, I just want to be done with it and be home. The results report kidney function is holding in the normal range. It is unusual to watch the white blood cell count fall. The instructions about cautious living increase as those levels decrease.
The devil drug that gives me a migraine is being reduced. However, I found out I will be on that drug for as long as the kidney functions. It will be another six weeks before it is tapered down to a maintenance level. The good thing is I am at a level where I don’t have to wear the mask and I’ve been advised to start walking for some exercise. Crowds are still out of the question.
The transplant team has decided it is time to remove the dialysis access. There is enough confidence in the kidney that this chapter of dialysis is in the rear view mirror. Monday is pre-op day at the hospital and Tuesday is surgery to remove the catheters out of my chest. Because the catheters go into my heart, I have not been able to get them wet. I look forward to a long, hot shower Wednesday morning.
What a month it has been.
