Thursday, December 31, 2009
Home again
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Contact details
Austin Hospital patient calls line: 9496 5500
Ask for: Jane Thomson
Sunday update - good news
They're very pleased.
She's showing zero protein in her urine, for the first time in 8 years, and all the other test results are very good. It looks like the new kidney is doing very well.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Friday update
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Wednesday update
Monday, December 21, 2009
Tuesday update
The doctors operated on Jane again last night, and this time they're pretty convinced they've fixed the bleed. Jane was looking much better when I saw her today, sitting up in a chair and trying to convince me to smuggle her in an icy-pole.
Lois was also looking very well today, and is now resting happily at home.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday update
Things haven't gone quite as well for Jane as we'd hoped.
She's got some post operative bleeding, which prompted the doctors to operate on Friday night. They thought they'd fixed it, but it's come back, so she was having all sorts of tests today to try to identify the problem.
The doctors are confident they can fix this, but Jane hasn't had the easy, restful weekend we'd hoped for.
Meanwhile - the good news is that Lois was very bright and chirpy today, and looks likely to be going home soon.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Last Day of Freedom
Visiting the Austin
Monday 14th Dec
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Improvement
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday 9th Decmber
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Plasma- exchange and Dialysis
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Permacath Inserted
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Get it off my chest
Thursday, November 26, 2009
dialysis
Friday, November 20, 2009
Lead up timeline
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Coordinators
Friday, October 30, 2009
Time Line
A brief time line
(This has been put here for some people who have requested it and did not receive via email earlier)
early december, jane will have a number of infussions as day procedures to prepare for transplant. This is to try to get the levels of FSGS as low as possible with the intent that it will not attack the transplant. FSGS is my kidney disease. It is thought to be an auto immune disease. The chances of it coming back in the transplant are roughly 50/50.
A week before the transplant jane will be put back onto immume supressing medication. This in known to effect mood, that is i am likely to become quite emotional. I will also start to swell up again with fluid, in time will get hairer etc. I will remain on this medication for ever. The dose will reduce over time.
Wed 16th december jane admitted to Austin Hospital in Heidelberg, ward 7 north, to be put on a drip. This is to get my blood to the correct thickness to have an operation. I have been on blood thinning medication ever since the stroke two years ago.
Wednesday 16th december Mum is admitted to the Austin also. we are both prepared for the operation the following day.
Thursday 17th december The kidney is taken out of Mum in the morning, 2-3 hour operation. Then put into jane in the early afternoon about 4hour operation. we are returned to the same floor, in seperate rooms. The recipients usually in a single room and the donors in another room.
Jane is in isolation for 3 days due to high levels of immune supression. This is to reduce the chances of complications through infection.
Monday 21st December Mum may be discharged. She will not be allowed to lift or drive for 4-6 weeks.
Jane can have visitors if all is going well. Please do not visit if you have a sniffle or if someone in your family is ill. No flowers will be allowed in the hospital. (Please save them for when I come home). Visits are restricted to no more than 10-15 minutes and a maximum two people at a time. You will be able to ring stuart to arrange a good time to visit.
Thursday 24th december Jane may be discharged.
For the following 6 weeks
jane must visit St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy every day for blood tests and outpaitient consultation, yes that does include Christmas day and the other public holidays. I am not allowed to drive or lift.
For the 6 weeks following, that is week 7-12. jane may be allowed to start driving and lifting. I will still have to go for blood tests and outpatient consultations three times a week for 4 weeks, and then twice a week for another 4 weeks.
During the first 3 months after a transplant most recipients have a period of rejection that is controlled quickly (98%).
For the first 12 months I am advised not to travel. That is I should be within 15 mins. of medical help at all times.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Help Needed
1) Meals for the family while I am indisposed, ie from mid december until about mid January.
2) Child minding and entertainment, bearing in mind that it will be school holidays for most of the time.
3) Occasional transport to and from Hospital, North Melb to Fitzroy and back.
4) Visits to keep me from going around the bend. Please call first.
Thanks in advance and please don't feel obliged to do anything. It's only if you would like to.
Jane.