After a very full morning at the hospital, I had some good and some not so good news. On the good side the Hemeroids that had been troublesome at first after the transplant have all but gone. All the blood tests except the White blood cells and platelettes are okay. Which brings us to the platlettes which have been low but are now very, very low. This opens me up to potential infections.
It was decided after some debate to inject me with something to stimulate bone marrow and therefore blood production. This will hopefully not start rejection of the new kidney, but it is a slight risk. So where does the sleepless night come in? I hear you ask. The injection has caused terrible bone ache. It is mostly in my hips, spine, ribs and head. This is why I am having trouble sleeping.
I will be hiding from the world for a while waiting for an improvement in the white blood cells. So far I haven't come down with anything and I'm hoping to keep it that way.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
2 months
Two months on from the transplant.
I feel well. The benefits of a working kidney are many. I feel intellectually brighter, my underlying health is better, all the complications of the kidney disease FSGS (Focal, segmental Glormoi, sclorosis) such as stroke risk have gone. My outlook is more optomistic and I have healed well and have very little post opperative pain. My restrictions on diet have all been lifted and my medications have all changed. The new kidney function test results are very good. All this results in me staying up later without getting tired and being able to do more each day.
On the other hand I am still quite numb around the wound site and in an area at the top of my left thigh. I am suffering symptoms that are side effects of the cocktail of drugs I am taking. The most obvious one is weight gain/ fluid retention from the steroids. I also bruise easily and my skin is starting to break/ split easily also due to the steroids. You might have noticed changes in skin pigmentation and hair growth as well.
More seriously is the issue of ballancing the drugs so I don't reject the new kidney, but also have enough white blood cells to fight off infections. The pressent battle is to stop the decline in white blood cells, which has lately become a bit alarming. Stuart has unfortunately caught a heavy head cold and has kindly moved out to a hotel for a while, so he doesn't infect me or the kids. I have not been game to take a swim yet despite being allowed to, due to the risk of infection at a public pool.
Unusually for me I have been struggling with high blood pressure since the transplant. This conbined with the weight gain and fluid overload has made controlling it dificult. The fluid means I don't absorb the tablets properly and the weight adds to the problem. Consequently my old knee and foot problems are flaring up.
Despite all this I do feel there is a new spring in my step and I am looking forward to further improvements over the coming months. I regularly chat with the two other transplant recipients at clinic on Wednesdays. We have each had our individual issues. They have both had to have two earlier biopsyies. (I am due to have mine next month.) So I think I am doing okay compared to others.
I feel well. The benefits of a working kidney are many. I feel intellectually brighter, my underlying health is better, all the complications of the kidney disease FSGS (Focal, segmental Glormoi, sclorosis) such as stroke risk have gone. My outlook is more optomistic and I have healed well and have very little post opperative pain. My restrictions on diet have all been lifted and my medications have all changed. The new kidney function test results are very good. All this results in me staying up later without getting tired and being able to do more each day.
On the other hand I am still quite numb around the wound site and in an area at the top of my left thigh. I am suffering symptoms that are side effects of the cocktail of drugs I am taking. The most obvious one is weight gain/ fluid retention from the steroids. I also bruise easily and my skin is starting to break/ split easily also due to the steroids. You might have noticed changes in skin pigmentation and hair growth as well.
More seriously is the issue of ballancing the drugs so I don't reject the new kidney, but also have enough white blood cells to fight off infections. The pressent battle is to stop the decline in white blood cells, which has lately become a bit alarming. Stuart has unfortunately caught a heavy head cold and has kindly moved out to a hotel for a while, so he doesn't infect me or the kids. I have not been game to take a swim yet despite being allowed to, due to the risk of infection at a public pool.
Unusually for me I have been struggling with high blood pressure since the transplant. This conbined with the weight gain and fluid overload has made controlling it dificult. The fluid means I don't absorb the tablets properly and the weight adds to the problem. Consequently my old knee and foot problems are flaring up.
Despite all this I do feel there is a new spring in my step and I am looking forward to further improvements over the coming months. I regularly chat with the two other transplant recipients at clinic on Wednesdays. We have each had our individual issues. They have both had to have two earlier biopsyies. (I am due to have mine next month.) So I think I am doing okay compared to others.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
47th Birthday
I turned 47 yesterday. Let's hope it is a good year. There is good news. I am allowed to take a bath for the first time since the permacath went in. That was on the 4th december 2009. I can even go swimming. Although I still need to be careful not to catch illnesses. The blood tests are still looking good, fingers crossed. I am also able to start lifting things.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Removal successful
For once I seem to have had a straight forward easy procedure. The stent removal was quick and painless. I have no ongoing pain, just a small twinge now and again in the region of the transplant. I was surprised at how long the stent was, about 10 cm. But it is out now and I am happy.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Stent
The time has come for the stent that is in the tube between my new kidney and the bladder to be removed. Sadly, yes, it comes out via the ureta. So I am off to day procedures on Thursday for that experience. I am told it hurts for about 24 hours afterwards and then settles down. The doctors are quite happy with how things are going at the moment. Stuart has arranged to work from home on thursday so he can pick me up after the procedure.
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