20 Days!

20 Days until my wife gets a new Kidney! And 230ish days into daily dialysis….


It has been a long frustrating journey to get to this point! She was diagnosed with her condition at 12yrs old. Was told she would never have children…but we have a single son who is turning 18 in two weeks!


In 2016ish her kidney function dropped into the low teens, and it has been hell since to find a transplant center willing to do her surgery. She has a living donor, so getting a kidney was never the issue…it was finding a willing cutter to do it! They don’t like long shots, and don’t want to mess up their numbers (success rate).


We finally found a surgeon willing in Dallas, so we’ll be living up there for the entire month of March to be close to the hospital for the 35days post-surgery they will want to observe and monitor.


Anyways…thought I’d share, and see if there are some others who have been through this…sometimes it is nice to chat and talk about it….


Wish us luck yalls!
Jag

Good luck to you both! Prayers for ya!!

Good luck ! Good story

A friend of mine did this last year, also in Dallas. He is around 60 years old or so and is doing pretty good so far. Prayers for you guys!

Talk to the anesthesia team and inquire about an epidural for post-operative pain control. Reduced dependance on opioids for pain control has been all the rage for a few years now, so most major medical facilities will be onboard with some sort of alternative pain control modality similar to this.

Best of luck. Sorry for the difficulty finding a surgeon. I do work for Donor Network West as a side hustle here in N.California a few days per month. Over the last few years, the number of donor patients has absolutely exploded. Perhaps it was a geographical thing?

Sending positive vibes and best wishes to both of you!

KDC said:

Talk to the anesthesia team and inquire about an epidural for post-operative pain control. Reduced dependance on opioids for pain control has been all the rage for a few years now, so most major medical facilities will be onboard with some sort of alternative pain control modality similar to this.

Best of luck. Sorry for the difficulty finding a surgeon. I do work for Donor Network West as a side hustle here in N.California a few days per month. Over the last few years, the number of donor patients has absolutely exploded. Perhaps it was a geographical thing?

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will def talk to them about epidural post op! thanks for that tip!

donor was never an issue, her dad and brother were matches...it was the risks of her condition and cutters not wanting to effect their %'s.

thanks man!

You're both in our prayers.

Best wishes for her speedy recovery!

The countdown must be nerve wracking, however all will go as planned .

Wishing your wife a successful transplant and all the best with the recovery.

Just read this thread. Don’t know if your still in the DFW area, if so let me know and lets see if we can get together sometime and chat about whatever you like to take your mind off the stress for a little bit. Hope everything is well with your wife and wishing a speedy, fast and healthy recovery.

Transplants are no joke. Make sure everyone that she’ll come in contact with is vaccinated for the flu or wears a mask since she’ll be immunocompromised. If it were me, I’d isolate as much as possible during the first month or until docs say otherwise. Up walking asap. In fact, if it’s possible preop build up reserves (eat eat eat) and strength (planks are probably the best exercise before surgery). As a caregiver, don’t forget to take care of yourself. And if something doesn’t make sense in the hospital, advocate to get a clear answer.

Helios said:

Just read this thread. Don’t know if your still in the DFW area, if so let me know and lets see if we can get together sometime and chat about whatever you like to take your mind off the stress for a little bit. Hope everything is well with your wife and wishing a speedy, fast and healthy recovery.

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Thank you very much, my friend. That’s incredibly generous. I appreciate that thought.

SuperDomestique said:

Transplants are no joke. Make sure everyone that she’ll come in contact with is vaccinated for the flu or wears a mask since she’ll be immunocompromised. If it were me, I’d isolate as much as possible during the first month or until docs say otherwise. Up walking asap. In fact, if it’s possible preop build up reserves (eat eat eat) and strength (planks are probably the best exercise before surgery). As a caregiver, don’t forget to take care of yourself. And if something doesn’t make sense in the hospital, advocate to get a clear answer.

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Totally agree, we are following that protocol and more

She has absolutely zero immune system right now we are terrified of even catching a cold



Also, thank you everyone for the kind wishes. Her surgery went very well. The brothers donor kidney was extremely healthy and about twice the size as my wifes

Her GFR is in the high 80s three days after Transplant

She made about 4 gallons of pee in three days

And her creatinine levels are .8

Because of this amazing recovery, the doctors cut us loose from Dallas 3 1/2 weeks early so we got home yesterday afternoon

They were very surprised at her speed and strength. She’s doing so well I can’t even tell you guys. It’s like having a new wife. Her skin color is pink and full of life. She’s full of smiles and hope for the first time…..in a very long time.

Jag

This is “Billy the Kidney” yall.
Brother picked the name!

KDC said:

Talk to the anesthesia team and inquire about an epidural for post-operative pain control. Reduced dependance on opioids for pain control has been all the rage for a few years now, so most major medical facilities will be onboard with some sort of alternative pain control modality similar to this.

Best of luck. Sorry for the difficulty finding a surgeon. I do work for Donor Network West as a side hustle here in N.California a few days per month. Over the last few years, the number of donor patients has absolutely exploded. Perhaps it was a geographical thing?

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We actually had this discussion. And for liver transplants this is what they are doing


For kidneys, they wanted her up out of bed that same day so that’s really difficult with an epidural.

Appreciate you looking out for me, my man

SirJAG said:

Thank you very much, my friend. That’s incredibly generous. I appreciate that thought.




Totally agree, we are following that protocol and more

She has absolutely zero immune system right now we are terrified of even catching a cold



Also, thank you everyone for the kind wishes. Her surgery went very well. The brothers donor kidney was extremely healthy and about twice the size as my wifes

Her GFR is in the high 80s three days after Transplant

She made about 4 gallons of pee in three days

And her creatinine levels are .8

Because of this amazing recovery, the doctors cut us loose from Dallas 3 1/2 weeks early so we got home yesterday afternoon

They were very surprised at her speed and strength. She’s doing so well I can’t even tell you guys. It’s like having a new wife. Her skin color is pink and full of life. She’s full of smiles and hope for the first time…..in a very long time.

Jag

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What a great outcome! Very happy to hear the good news. I wish you and your wife many, many miles of happy riding together. I'm certain the hospital, doctors and staff are providing you with all the care and support you could use but if you still need to chat or have worries don't hesitate. Cheers!