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