3 months

Our 3 month post op date was Wednesday. Everything has been good! Creat is about 1.0-1.1 depending on how hydrated I am. BP has been a lil on the high side so the doc started me on a new BP med which he said can bump the creat a tiny bit but that doesn't mean it's from damage but it's from blood stuff. 

He changed my appointments from every 2 weeks to every 3 months which means I won't see the team again until October! Blood draws got moved to once a week instead of twice a week! My tacrol dose hasn't been changed since beginning of June and now hangs around 9 or 10 which is right where they want it. My ebv levels (Epstein Barr virus) has been fluctuating. The ID docs aren't worried but I think when it goes up my body definitely feels it. I've finished my 3 month course of the antiviral, one less pill to take! 

Transplant course is going well, really well actually. Still working, now that my incision has healed and it feels good 80% of the time I'm trying to work out and get this weight off, and of course I'm always wedding planning!!

Xoxo britt 

Life as I knew it

What a lazy girl. ^^ 

Not sure if anyone reads this anymore but I'm still going to post! 

Life has been good, really good. Been back to work now for a week. It has been great to see my work family and get back into the swing of every day life. The first day back was a bit rough.. But I've finally got the groove back and feel like I haven't missed a beat.. Although I do forget stupid stuff here and there! 

Everything is going good with my medications- except still having side effects with myfortic. I'm not sure that will ever straighten itself out. Doc says ill still be getting blood draws twice a week until July. Labs have been good.. Creat runs from .9 to 1.1 depending on hydration and prograf level. It seems when the prograf creeps up so does my creat a bit. 

Incision is okay. It gets sore after work, prolly just getting used to all the moving around- not lifting anything over 20lbs at work! 

Other than that things are good. Ill post some more once I get my hands on a computer.

Xoxo, britt 

10 weeks since this journey began..

It feels so good to be able to say I feel so good only 6 weeks since I received this kidney. I remember my last day of work like it was yesterday and I remember getting my port..like it was yesterday. Now I go back to work in 2 days, less days per week but work none the less- or normalcy as I like to think of it. To me this is kinda the last step to it. 

Everything else is going well- the swelling has gone down some more but still noticeable. I wore jeans for the first time postop the other day..again normalcy. Been enjoying summer. Ron has had this whole last week off and it's my last week so it's been nice spending time together. 

As far as labs go I'm still going twice a week but hopefully at my next appointment that will change. Numbers have been normal- except my prograf which was high so they adjusted my dosage down and yesterday it was within range. Creatinine has been stable at 1.0-1.1 and BUN was great at 15. Meaning the kidney is filtering pretty well so I am happy. They adjusted the dose of the myfortic because of side effects. 

Still chuggin water like a fish. Instead of buying new shoes I feel like I'm buying new water bottles instead lol. 

Ron & I set a date for 9/6/14 and we booked a venue. I have a pretty sick obsession with looking at wedding stuff it's so much fun! 

Will update again next week.. Until then xoxo, britt

5 weeks

I had another post op visit with my nephrologist yesterday. Everything is going well, my creatinine yesterday was 1.1 which he is pleased with. He said that once my medication doses stabilizing my creatinine will stabilize as well. He said that when my creat was 0.9 it wasn't truly saturated with drugs yet and now that it is it fluctuates because the drug is metabolized by the kidney meaning the kidney has to work to excrete it. So all in all no new news which is good. He moved me to be seen every 2 weeks instead of once a week, YEAH! Still will be getting labs drawn twice a week but don't need to wait at the hospital for appointments. 

The swelling in my belly has gone down a bit but not all the way yet. The incision looks good all the scab is off so now it just looks like, well a scar. 

The biggest and most exciting news on this blog this post is that Ron and I got engaged!!!!! We are super excited and looking at wedding stuff has been so much fun it's like a new found hobby! It's kinda funny how life can go from so scary  and gloomy to so happy and exciting within a couple months! We are going to see some venues this weekend but we don't plan on getting married for awhile 😄 

Ill be getting my blood drawn again tomorrow so I'm hydrating this kidney up!! 

Until next time, xoxo britt 

Teeny tiny bump in the road

So I wanted to give everyone an update as to what happened yesterday. A true reminder that a kidney transplant is NOT a cure only a treatment to kidney disease.

I had my blood drawn on Tuesday. I seen uofm's number pop up on my phone and thought "oh shit". They never call for good news, only bad. The first thing she said was "well....your creatinine took a jump.." And my heart dropped. When everyone asked me before this all happened "are you scared or nervous about the surgery?" I never was. Surgery is no big deal to me. You're out, you get a good nap and wake up and it's all over! The real worry I had was the recovery and this was exactly why. Creatinine can jump for many reasons, the major one being rejection of the organ which is more likely in the beginning. So of course in the back of my mind I was planning on spending my weekend at uofm getting a biopsy and tons of IV meds. I always think of the worst and hope for the best. With my creatinine jumping from 1.0 to 1.2 isn't a high jump and technically 1.2 is still considered normal for a man kidney they still worry it could be rejection in the early phase. 

So the next step was to make sure I was very well hydrated for Thursdays blood draw. Your creatinine can increase because of dehydration. So I drank 4.5L of straight water. I was worried. Everyone kept telling me it would be alright but what else would they say? So I turned to Facebook. The power of prayer is amazing and I knew I could count on my support system. I really don't feel like I'm going through this alone. I feel like so many people are here along with me,  and it helps. 

I got my blood redrawn Thursday and had to wait awhile before the results were in. If it stayed the same or went higher I was gonna spend Memorial Day with my favorite 5C ladies. Last transplant I spent EVERY holiday after jan 20 in the hosp getting biopsies so of course that was in the back of my mind as well. 

The nurse called me at about 3 and first said "well I have some good news" and the weight was lifted! She said my creatinine dropped back down to 1.0... Life was good...again. She said all my other labs looked great and to recheck on Tuesday. I quickly called my mom and sent the news to Facebook! We were all SO happy! It's such a relief. 

So then my mom and I did what we do and hit the streets for a little retail therapy ;) after all that stress why not?! 

Thank you for all the prayers support and kind words. They get me thru times like these. I really appreciate you all more than you know 💗

Xoxo, britt 

Officially one month!

Today is 1 month post op and things are still going very well. They have still been having a bit of trouble controlling my prograf level. Last Thursday it was 13.0 (they want it between 8-12) so they titrated my dose. Creatinine was 1.0 which is still as normal as normal gets! All my other labs have been normal, my phosphorus has been stabilizing which they are happy with as well as my potassium. Things are looking good! 

Yesterday I had my stent removed. They place a stent in a ureter to keep it from collapsing. It's kind of like a long plastic tube. They put a camera up the urethra and use a grasper tool and pull the stent out. It's pretty painless just very uncomfortable. It only takes MAYBE a minute in a half but we waited to be seen for 2 hours. We were in the same clinic and waiting room that we started at way back in November when I was first seen for the pre-kidney transplant evaluation. It was kinda nice to end where I started. 

I moved out of my parents last week, well more like pushed out, lol. It's nice to be back home with my pups. Been trying to get the house in order, planted flowers and been up moving around a lot, pain is pretty much not there unless I cough or sneeze. I still can't lift much. But things are getting more and more back to normal!

Xoxo, britt

The picture here is of me reading a special present I received from a group of 2nd graders :) 

3 weeks out

Went to another follow up appointment. The doctors are still pleased with how everything is going. My kidney function has still been normal, with my creatinine at 0.9 :D The doctors cleared me to go back to work on June 10th, and I am hoping to go back part time so I can ease into things.

My incision pain is very minimal, my back gets sore if I'm up running around. I'm pretty much off the pain meds just taking Tylenol if needed. The scab on the incision is starting to come off, but I am still swollen and still looking pretty preggers!

I plan on going back home soon. Ron is busy with school and work so I would be myself a lot, so we will see.

No news is good news, so I'm glad this is a boring post!

Until next time,
Xoxo britt

Post op day #12

Things are still going extremely well. Still peeing and drinking a lot and still looking 5 months pregnant from all the swelling and extra organs in my belly :) I can't wait until someone asks me when I am due haha

The bowling fundraiser was this past weekend. Ron took me up there while everyone was setting up. Everything looked so nice and everyone worked so hard! It was an awesome turnout and I am so glad that everyone who went had a great time! Some people went home with some really cool prizes! I need to give everyone who worked hard on it a huge THANK YOU! But especially my aunt Marti, aunt Beth, aunt sharon, and aunt Suzy! As well as my grandparents and all their friends! You guys rock!!!! Love you!!!

Been gettin antsy to get out of the house. Today I went and my aunt Marti gave my feet some much needed love. Blue sparkles! I feel like I'm coming closer and closer to normal or whatever normal is. Next thing that is up is getting these roots done and ill be all dolled up again!

I go and see the doctor, surgeon, nurse and social worker again tomorrow. Nothing has changed in the past week but ill get my labs drawn again so prayers all my numbers are still good!

Love ya all!!
Xoxo britt

Post op day #9

It's been over a week since I got my new kidney and I've never felt better! Yesterday I went to the U for blood work and to get my hemo catheter removed. I was kinda nervous about that because I am a huge wimp when it comes to pain. They told me that the longer it is in the more painful it will be because your tissue will start to grow around the tunneled part. The doctor numbed me up with some lidocaine which hurt like hell, then he gave it a lil tug and BAM! It was out! It was so long, because the end of the cath sat right in my right atria. It was crazy to see out of me since we have become such close friends over the last month lol. All that is left is a tiny scabbed circle that I have to keep a bandaid on for about 1-2 weeks or until I see its healed.

I took my first REAL shower today! No help from anyone! I felt normal for once it was a great feeling! No tubes or lines coming from me anymore!! My incision is healing nicely and starting to scab, I still look 5 months preggers from all the swelling that's still going on. I thought about taking a mirror pregnant belly pic then decided against it lol Ron might freak out.

My labs came back GREAT again! Creat still 0.9 and my prograf level is finally where they want it. I go back on Tuesday for another appt and more labs, twice a week for a while.

Yesterday I flew the coop! I went to visit my gramma, aunts, Adi and the girls. It was nice to get out and see some family <3 my mom then took me to michaels and bed bath and beyond for a belly pillow. I love to shop no matter what the purchase is lol

Tomorrow is the big bowling fundraiser! I hope to hear/see everyone that goes. I just want people to have a good time in honor of organ donation and my uncle and I. I want all my aunts and uncle who have worked so hard on this to relax and drink up and just party to where they don't remember the next day haha :) I mean my aunt marti didn't earn the nickname aunt margarita for nothin!!

I'm easin up on the pain meds, the pain is pretty tolerable! I'm just so lucky, blessed, and happy to be feeling as alive as I do.

Xoxo, britt

Life is good

Feeling pretty damn good today. My incision is the most sore it has been but I was up walking around a lot yesterday from all the doctor appointments I had to go to.

Yesterday was my first post op visit and I met with a pharmacist, the surgeon, my nephrologist, and the RN. No news is good news and it's always good to be a boring patient. Everything is going really well so I really didn't have much to say or questions to ask. Everyone that came in kept saying "we seen you on the news!" Which is really cool. I have ALWAYS wanted to have my story on the news because I want to get the importance of organ donation out there and I think our story is very real and uplifting for those considering it.
My creatinine yesterday was 0.9 WOOHOOOO! That is NORMAL! All my other labs were NORMAL too!! I haven't been normal in years haha. I just want to get out of this house and put this kidney to use! I wanna shop and go see friends, do things with my boyfriend- I just can't wait!
They made so much money at the salon benefit and BDubbs! The support and generosity people are showing is amazing and leaves me speechless. My family and I really appreciate your continued support as I recover.
My uncle is still doing really well. He deserves the Nobel peace prize for the new lease on life he's given me. Love you uncle Phil :)
My mom was feeling left out of the blog lol so I feel like I need to say how great my mom is. She hasn't been around a whole lot because of the new job she started she can't take a lot of time off work now but she's been incredibly strong for me and I know at times she's prolly wanted to break down but hasn't- she also makes a pretty delicious salad :)

So that's it! Still recovering, miss my boyfriend and my French mastiff Layla and just gettin ancey to get out of the house

Until next time,
Xoxo britt

Post op day # 5

The last day or so of recovery have been going well. I was discharged saturday around 1230 and have been getting around pretty well despite my smiley face incision :). I am able to get in and out of bed by myself now which is a huge accomplishment at this stage for me.

While I was in the hospital my blood sugars were running a bit on the high side (because of the prednisone) the doctor said it was up to me whether or not I wanted to check my blood sugars at home. Since I didn't want to be walking around with a 300 blood sugar I decided it would be best to poke my finger 4 times a day. Since I got home and am able to control my diet better my sugars have been under better control. I only needed insulin once and that was while I was in the hospital.

I've had some pretty great nurses while I have been home too. Ron came over the other night and hung out with me and we watched a movie. My dad has been cooking my food and helping me sort out all the new medications, even though he can't pronounce 75% of them lol. I've been staying on the main floor on a blow up mattress. My room is filled with flowers so it's a nice place to stay :)

Ive finally been able to see my four legged babies! ellie sleeps with me on the bed. She has been really good about not coming close to my face or belly. Yogi is too scared to come near me because of all the flowers and new stuff in this room, it's kinda funny.I also miss my little Lou baby. Ron has been face timing me so me and her can visit haha.

Yesterday was thehair cutting benefit. I'm excited, They had a huge turnout and raised so much money! thank you to all those who helped make it such a huge success, you all rock!! I sooo wish I could go up there and tell everyone thank you but it's better I am not around that large of a group.

I am feeling GREAT! It's so amazing the way I felt just 5 days ago to the way I feel today. I just feel so blessed and lucky to have gotten this new strong kidney that's kickin some major butt in there!

My donor, my uncle, is doing well too! It's kind of a nice time to be off since the weather is finally breaking so hopefully he can get out and enjoy his little vacay !

Thank you all for your continued support, recovery is much easier knowing you all have my back!

Xoxo britt

Today was a good day. Doctors woke me up at 6am. Came in pulled my bandage off and said he was putting in the order to have my catheter removed. Before he walked out the door I asked him what my creatinine was and he said "0.9, BAM" did some crazy emeril lagasse move and split hahaha. I started peeing about 2 hours after the catheter was removed and go about every hours 4-600ml at a time. Drank a lot of water today. My other doctor told me that yesterday the new kidney put out 7 liters in one day!! This kidney sure is working!

Ron came up here about 8am and stayed all day with me and is gonna spend the night. He's been my nurse today and we've even promoted him to doctor- he earned his long white coat :) my dad came around 4 because I slept most of the day. They give me 50mg of Benadryl and 2 Norco before my thyroglobulin which basically knocks my immunosuppression down and since you can have a reaction they premedicate you so I was out COLD. It was nice to sleep a little.

My incision looks exactly the same as the old one just on the other side. It's getting easier and easier to move around and get out of bed. I've been taking pain meds around the clock so I can move around and get up to pee. I've also been getting heparin shots 3 times a day. These things are awful too! My thighs are full of bruises and blood.

They are still continuing to check my blood sugars 4 times a day. Today they lowered my prednisone to 80mg a day and that reflected in my blood sugars so we are on the right route.

This evening my aunt Faye, aunt pay, aunt sharon, an my old neighbors Fred and Lisa came to visit. It's always nice having ppl come visit it really breaks up the day :)

Today was also the Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser. Ron went and got us carry out. Sara from work sent me a pic of everyone at work with their carry out :) too sweet!

I'm hopefully going home sometime tomorrow! Ill keep you all updated!

Xoxox britt

A fresh start

Well yesterday was a bit of a crazy day. I started taking all my medicine. They started me off on 100mg of prednisone. Yes you read that right, 100mg. I seen a lot of doctors who are still really happy with my progress. This new kidney is putting out a ton of urine, making me feel like a brand new woman :)

Yesterday we did our channel 7 news interview that will air on Monday. She interviewed me, my uncle, and my mom. I am not really sure of the questions she asked me but I do know I cried most of the time. She asked a lot of question pertaining to how it is to deal with something like this being so young and how I dealt with it. Not to mention that 100mg of prednisone working its magic. So everyone be sure to tune in to channel 7 news this weekend they will be doing promos all weekend long and airing it sometime on Monday.
Yesterday I came off all the fluids which is nice not to be hooked up to anything. This morning my catheter comes out and dressing comes off. So I can already imagine today I'm going to be a lot more sore from getting up out of bed so much.

All of my nurses here have been AMAZING, not to mention all the doctors and the other staff.

Don't forget today is the BDubbs fundraiser! Take your flyer and head out and buy lots of booze and wings for me!!! Love you all!!!

Xoxo,
Britt

Super kidney!

So here's how the surgery went..

We woke up at 400a to get to the hospital on time. My uncle went back to preop around 530 and I went back at about 545 to get my IV and labs drawn than sent back to the waiting room to do more waiting.

I started feeling sick and nauseous so I laid on my moms lap for most of the time. I wasn't scared or nervous. I've been praying a lot and I believe God took care of all those feelings!

I was called back to preop at around 730. My mom came back with me to wait. We seen all the crew- anesthesiology, RNs, doctors and pharmacists. Everyone was so nice and caring I felt like I was in good hands. Ron had worked the night before so he didn't get up the hospital until about 5 minutes before they took me back to OR. I was so happy I got to see him before I went back, poor guy was more nervous than anyone I think!

They gave me a little cocktail as I was wheeled back. All I remember is getting on the small OR table and them putting and O2 mask on me, next thing I knew I was awake in postop in a lot of pain. I finally got a couple doses of morphine and along with pushing my PCA button we were able to get it under control and I was able to rest.

I couldn't believe how good I felt other than the pain. It was amazing. They drew my labs and my creatinine one hour after surgery and it was half what it was yesterday. I was so incredibly happy to see near normal numbers!! I guess the docs told my uncle that it was a record of how much urine this kidney put out immediately following sugery! They are replacing me with 1:1 fluid to carefully watch my i&o but at one point I put out 950ml in one hour. They switched my IV while I was under too, thank god because its a 14 gauge!!! I think that's a garden hose.

I am more painful this time or at least it feels that way. I think it's because my uncles kidney is so huge that is more painful bc something was put in. I think I know how painful breast implants would be.

I got up to my room about 5 hours after postop. My RN couldn't believe how wel I was doing and how alert I was. The nurses I've had have been awesome and very helpful. I'm not in a private room- bummer but that's okay! My mom and dad were waiting for me when I got up here everyone else went home once they knew how well we both were doing!

My uncle is doing great! He has already had his foley out and has been walking the halls. He will probably go home tomorrow. I can't thank him enough for this gift he has given me. Thank you doesn't even come close. I hope he knows how much of a difference he has made in my life and becuse of him I can start living it again.

Tomorrow I have to get up and start working. I can already tell its going to be painful but I am starting to move around more and more and the PCA is helping.

Thank you EVERYONE for the prayers I know they helped!

Tomorrow channel 7 news crew will be interviewing my uncle and I. I have always wanted to be on the news and share my story so others can be aware - it's so exciting!!

Ill post again tomorrow!
Til then,
Xoxo britt :)

Phil visits Britt

Phil took his first walk and came to see Britt. She is so thankful❤

Talked with Phil

Phil is doing very well. He was asking about Britt and how she was doing. He said how lucky we are to have each other..,

Surgery

Phil is done all went well. Britt on now getting new kidney. We are so happy😘

Surgery day

Well the day has arrived. This is Brenda and I will be making posts while Britt and Phil are under the knife. Britt is sleeping on my lap waiting to get called back. Richie is sleeping and Janet is reading magazine.

4-24-2013 <3

Today was my last dialysis.. Hopefully ever. It was so hard to wake up and go because just the thought of feeling like I do during it MAKES me sick. I only ran for 2 hours and came home and slept most of the night.

Surgery is tomorrow. We have to be there at 515am. My uncle's surgery starts at 715 mine will be at 10. He's been on a clear liquid diet all day and I will be NPO starting at midnight.

Tomorrow I get three doses of some type of globulin which will knock my tcells or the cells that are responsible for attacking foreign things, down to nothing. I've already been taking an additional medication for immunosuppression for the past couple days so I am getting there..

I left Ron today and came to my parents. Ill be staying here after my surgery for a few weeks so I have someone to help me if I need it.

So here goes nothing, please keep sending the prayers ill need them tomorrow :)

Xoxo britt

Don't Forget!

Don't forget to come out to Lodge Lanes on May 4th from 8pm-?? For not only a fundraising opportunity for my kidney transplant but also for a GREAT time! My family has worked super hard to get some awesome prizes for the raffle including some signed Lions and Red Wings gear and even front row Tiger tickets, plus lots of other really cool items!!

Tickets are $25 and for $25 you get two games of bowling, pop, pizza, and shoes. You can purchase tickets by clicking on the PayPal link below.

When you come to the bowling alley you will sign it at the front. They will have a list of everyone who has paid via PayPal and that is considered your ticket in!

So mark your calendars and come enjoy a couple games of bowling, good food, and great company!

Since ill be very immunosuppressed and recovering from surgery I won't be there but people will be taking pictures so I hope to see your smiling face there!

Xoxo, britt

Pre-op visit

My uncle and I had our preop visit today and it was a long day filled with a lot of waiting!!

First I met with research who offered me a couple opportunities to participate in clinical trials. I probably won't do any of them. But it was interesting to hear the different types of things they are working on for kidney transplants.

Next my uncle and I went and had our blood drawn for type and screens and tissue matching.

After that I met with a couple nurses to go over postoperative care and kinda what to expect afterwards. I requested a private room but they can't guarantee it, so hopefully I do get one. We call to find out Tuesday what time our surgery is on Wednesday.

I then met with the PA who I had a lot of questions for. My main concern above everything is taking the drug prograf again. It is was scarred my kidney in the first transplant and ultimately caused it to fail because one of the side effects is kidney toxicity but it is the drug that keeps my body from attacking the new kidney. They said I'd he on that because its the best drug for second transplants and since I've been on it for 10 years my body is used to it. I also have to be dialyzed both Monday AND Tuesday next week. They are worried about my potassium being too high because if it is they will cancel surgery. I've never been high I've been low so that's not something I am worried about. I just pray pray PRAY that the doctors will watch my drug levels closely and we won't have the same problems as before.

At the end I met with the financial coordinators who went over everything including copays for drugs and what I can be expected to pay.. Yikes.

So all in all it was a good day.. Please Keep the prayers and good thoughts coming, it's getting closer and closer.

Xoxo, britt

Almost there!!

Dialysis was this morning at 6am bright and early! When I weighed in I didn't lose or gain anything, same weight- woohoo!
They hooked me up and everything was going good but the machine's "low flow" alarm kept going off which will usually go off if the line is occluded. The tech had me cough and laid me flat and that alarm only went off one more time during my treatment. He said that sometimes these CVCs can be positional.

My whole time went really well. I rented a movie from the iTunes gift cards josh had gotten me and the time went by really fast. So thanks josh! I only got a little dizzy at the very end so I got another bolus and life was good again! My BP stayed stable the entire time- I'm hoping they finally got me figured out!

My dad came and picked me up- which he usually does everytime. He comes over to my house at 520a and drives me out to Westland and then picks me up at 9a and drops me back off at home. Since my mom started her new job he's also been going with me to all my doctor appts and his question asking skills have gotten better :) couldn't ask for a better dad who is ALWAYS there :) thx dad love ya! A funny story that we always tell.. During my first transplant I was admitted the night before and they use to have a Wendy's at uofm. So for dinner my dad and I got Wendy's. He had ordered a chicken sandwich for him and some nuggets got me. When he got back to the hospital room and got his food out he noticed that his chicken sandwich was just a bun lettuce and tomato, they forgot the chicken!! Hahaha anyone who knows rich knows how he looks forward to his meals.
I think he ended up eating it anyways.

I found out today that I got approved for short term disability thru work which allows me to keep my insurance. I am just waiting for my work to receive my FMLA paperwork.. Ugh. Dialysis, surgery, paperwork, insurance... It never ends!

Tomorrow is a big day! I'm ready to find out everything so come back tomorrow I will be posting everything I find out!

Until then,
Xoxo britt




Lots of pictures posted- enjoy :)

<3

A day late but nonetheless- visited with infectious disease doctor who has been following me since my previous transplant. Here's a quick story of why I needed to see him...

There's a virus called EBV that is checked in the donor and recipient before surgery along with many others. This virus is the one responsible for mono. 10 years ago when I was 16 and had my first transplant my mom was positive for the virus in her blood and I was negative. Since I was going to be immunosuppressed they worried that the virus will have the strength to run rampant. After my first transplant they were able to detect the virus in my blood but I was always asymptomatic. The reason this virus is so bad is because it can cause a type of cancer similar to lymphoma. When I was tested for my second transplant they were still able to detect the virus but at a pretty low rate.
So like the previous transplant they are going to monitor me very closely and if they notice the EBV virus levels start to rise in my blood they will adjust the immunosuppressive drugs.
One thing the doctor said was that since my uncle is my moms brother they will probably need to keep me even MORE suppressed because my mom and uncle could have similar antibodies and my body has already built up them against it. Confusing I know. There's so much more that goes into a transplant than just going through surgery. Surgery is the easy part it's the recovery that can be rough, but I did once before I can do it again!

Had dialysis later in the day yesterday because of my doctor appt which is why I haven't posted until today. It actually went very well! I lost .3kg over the weekend (usually I gain) and my standing BP pre treatment was 90s/40s. I thought for sure I was going to bottom out and get sick. They gave me more a bolus before and throughout the whole treatment my systolic didn't get below 120, which I can tolerate. They continued to give me 100cc bolus every 30min and life was good :) I left the same weight I came in at, which is good for me.

Thursday my uncle and I go in for our history and physicals. So hopefully ill know more about the medication regimen, postoperative recovery and what I can expect this time around.

Only 3 more runs!!!
Xoxo, britt


Pictures posted are of my uncle (my donor) and I, enjoy :)

Lucky number 7 run this am in the chair. I had lost 1kg over the last day which is 2.2 lbs. The dialysis tech gave me a bolus before he even hooked me up to the machine and I was feeling good until I WAS hooked up to the machine. Onceeee again I started getting restless and lightheaded and quickly the room around me got quiet. My BP dropped to 90/50 from 130/80 and I sure was feeling it. He bolused me with additional fluid and within seconds I felt better. It's amazing how instantaneously I can go from feeling like absolute hell to normal. I got comfortable, put my earphones in and turned on Married With Children (morning television is pretty scarce) and tried to sleep.

About halfway thru I started getting anxious and short of breath again so they put me on a few liters of O2 and bolused me YET again and I felt better.

The tech was telling me today how all the patients ask about me and always say "Wow she's so young to have to go thru all this, I feel sorry for her" I don't want people to feel sorry for me. It may look on the outside when I'm attached to all these tubes that, yeah, it must suck to be so young and have to endure this but in all reality what you don't see is how incredibly blessed and lucky I am to have such a great life. I have an amazing family who is beyond supportive and loving. I have the best boyfriend who has been my bestfriend and cheerleader (haha :) ) thru it all, a great rewarding job with understanding and supportive coworkers, and of course all my lil 4 legged babies!
When you lose something like your health it opens your eyes to appreciate all the things you DO have!

After dialysis I gained .7kg. i was very weak leaving. But Ron came and picked me up today and he had breakfast waiting in the car :)
When I got home I felt very weak and extremely tired. I had a little bit of tingling in my legs but no muscle cramps or headache.

On Monday I have an appointment with infectious disease to go over blood work and talk about possible complications regarding the transplant at the U.

Xoxo britt

Had my 6/11 dialysis treatment today and it went pretty well. Weighed in .7kg lighter than when I left Monday so as usual today was all about replacing fluids.

I felt really good until about 2.5 hours into it all. I can always tell my BP is dropping because I start to get restless and short of breath. Sure enough my blood pressure was 100/50 which is very low for me so they gave me an additional bolus of fluids and I felt normal again for the last half hour of treatment. Next time the RN said they will give me a bolus of fluids before I start which sounds like it should help.

They also took my stitches out of my port site today. I don't ever remember having stitches removed before but they hurt ! I'm starting to think I have super low pain tolerance.

When I got out of the chair I wasn't as weak or tired- I only lost .3kg. I also didn't get cold during my treatments. When i got home i didn't have any tingling or muscle cramps, just a headache. Maybe my body is adjusting to all this? Not sure, but I am definitely glad I tolerated it today!

Everyone is being so kind and generous with all the fundraiser and benefits it's so amazing to feel all the love and support. I am very thankful for all of you!!!!

Xoxo, britt

If he brings you to it, he'll bring you thru it

Fifth run of dialysis & I'm not so sure how much more I can handle...

I woke up this morning for my 6am treatment and felt like this time was going to be a breeze. Friday was my best run yet and I thought that we've finally figured out how to NOT make me feel like hell during it- I was wrong.

The first hour in a half was good. I thought I was in the clear until I started feeling short of breath. I told the techs who gave me additional fluid which helped, but only for a few minutes. I kept feeling like it was difficult to breathe so I asked for oxygen. They put oxygen on me which helped but then I started feeling like my heart was beating out of my chest and I was restless and very very anxious- something no amount of fluids could fix I basically just had to deal with it. I was very jittery thru the whole treatment and was SO glad when my 3 hours was up! As soon as I got unhooked from the machine I began to calm down and was able to take the oxygen off. I ended up leaving dialysis the same weight I came in at thanks to all the fluid they gave me.

When I got home I still had all the same symptoms I've been having- leg cramps, tingling, headache, fatigue. Today tho my entire body felt very VERY weak. It takes effort to get out of a chair. I feel like I'm on the verge of needing that hover round.

I really don't know how people handle hemodialysis for any longer than I have to. My heart breaks for these people and it just makes me realize how incredibly lucky and blessed I am to have found a match for transplant so quickly.

Until next time,
Xoxo britt