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😘