Complications

Complications are a part of life.  If we like it or not.  The last couple of weeks were supposed to pass in a flurry of excitement and getting ready for the next surgery (the happy one).  I had actually started feeling like I was alive.  Things often don't go as planned!  Saturday (about 2 weeks ago) I woke up to blood all over myself and a dialysis catheter that decided to fall out.  I called my center (since I was supposed to have dialysis in an hour) and they sent me to the emergency room.  Great place to spend Saturday!  After about 10 people telling me how lucky I was that I didn't bleed to death I got sent to radiology to get a new line placed.  Normally they sedate you for this procedure.  I still needed dialysis and think I am much tougher than I am, so I had them put it in without sedation.  I really don't recommend it.  

The next week was tough because the dialysis cath they put it hurt like crazy and I could hardly move my neck or right arm.  Then Thursday last week my platelet count dropped (I mentioned this in my last post).  Friday  the transplant team caught wind of this and freaked out.  I was sure the transplant would be delayed.  They sent me in Monday to see a liver specialist.  He ordered a bunch of tests.  Tuesday I had to skip dialysis and have a liver venogram and biopsy.  I was at the hospital most of the day for that.  Wednesday I had dialysis at 5:00 am then had to go over to transplant for our pre-op appointment.  Corinne and I tried to cause some trouble, but I was too tired.  Corinne took lots of pictures and she will have to post them (hint hint).  Yesterday I had dialysis again and went back to see the liver doctor.  My platelet count had gone back to normal and he found nothing wrong (YAY!)  I'm not sure why all of this happened.  I'm sure there was something to be learned.  I sure hope I learned it!

That leaves us with only 4 days to transplant!  

Paying it forward...

Well here it is my long awaited post. I was so excited to start this blog with Vicki and then found it was impossible to find the time to actually write. I have thought about what I would say a million times and how eloquent my words would be! I imagined the 3 readers of this blog would just be mesmerized at what I had to say THEN I woke up from my crazy dream! Reality is its just plain and simple. There really isn't some big story or lightening bolt moment... it's just all been meant to be! 

My dad was given 6 months to live when he was 40 years old, I was a senior in high school! He suffered from Juvenal diabetes and his kidneys were failing as a result. His sister donated her kidney to him and gave him a second chance at life. He later had a pancreas transplant and another kidney transplant 4 years before he actually passed away. He died at the young age of 58. He lived long enough to see his kids marry and met all of his grand kids. I will forever be grateful for my unselfish hero's Jeri and Chad whom extended his life through kidney donation!

I met Vicki about 6 years ago and we immediately discussed our common experiences of one of our parents enduring a kidney transplant. We talked about her kidney disease and how one day she might need a kidney and I jokingly offered mine. Little did I know :)

Well the years went by, our friendship grew - we never lost touch. I got healthier- she got worse. She posted her acceptance letter of transplant on face book and I zoomed in on the number and called to set up my testing. Many people offered to donate to Vicki but I figured action speaks louder than words. It was a long process and at times frustrating but each time I would be so surprised when the transplant team would call me and approve the next step. I was so afraid of failing, as if I could study for this type of a test or something. The only thing I could really do was drink more water and less Diet Dr. Pepper - um hello... that was HARD! 

So 8 months, a million test, many tears, gallons of water and a whole lot of love later - we have arrived at our transplant date. I am super excited and can't believe I get this incredible opportunity to pay it forward! I was always on the recipients team and watched as someone so close to death got a second chance at life. What a blessing it is to be given the chance to donate life! I am even excited for my scar! I'm thinking of it as my legalized tattoo! It will serve as a reminder of our incredible journey that didn't just start with Vicki but with my own childhood and the miracles I was able to see. Recycled life! Come on weren't we all taught if you have 2 of something you should share? Well the way I see it, God has blessed me beyond measure and it is only right that I give back! I am honored to give to this amazingly strong friend of mine and I marvel at the strength she has shown during her our journey. Here is to a better life Vicki! Now just keep fighting so we can make this happen! 

Less than 2 weeks and counting! 

Jeri (left) Chad (right)

 My cute son and "Pa"

T-shirts...check

A few months ago I came up with a design that I wanted to use for t-shirts. Last night when I was wide awake at 3:00a.m. (as usual) I completed the design. I got the first 2 made today! I am pretty excited with how they turned out!

On a completely different note, we had a bit of stress at dialysis yesterday. My platelet count has dropped to 65(they are what clot your blood. Normal is 140-400)  the nurse at dialysis told me that would delay my transplant 2-3 months. I was super stressed. Thankfully the doctor came in a few hours later. He said they could do surgery as long as my level is above 50. He did some tests to see why they are low. So now we must pray for them not to drop any more!

This is the fun we had at our house today. We are getting ready to celebrate Easter and the resurrection of our Savior. How grateful I am for Him and all that He has done for us! It is a especially meaningful for me this year as I will be receiving a new kidney and a whole new life. Thank you Corinne for following the Savior's example and giving me this precious gift!

A little bit of good.

Tuesdays are my hardest day of the week.  Normally I have dialysis every other day, but I skip two days Sunday/Monday leading up to Tuesday.  That means I always gain extra weight (I don't have kidneys so I don't urinate) and am often swollen.  Also, for some reason the dialysis is almost painful.  If I can come home and crash for and hour or so I can usually sleep of the misery I feel after.  If I can't well…
So today was no exception.  Actually quite a bit worse than normal. We took off too much fluid and they makes anyone miserable.  I did't get to sleep it off either.  I really hate to complain, so I'll be done with that now.
I did get some good news at dialysis.  My monthly labs came in.  There are  a lot of labs watched in dialysis.  Many of these are things that can be somewhat controlled by diet. These are the ones I have been most concerned about:

Lab                                  Normal for dialysis patient               mine
______________________________________________________
Potassium                                        3.5-6                                        4
Phosphorus                                      2.5-5.5                                    1.4
Albumin (protein)                             over 4                                   3.5
Hematocrit (blood level)                   30-33                                    30

So I totally rocked my labs!  The best news is that because my phosphorus is low I don't have to take tums every time I eat!!  I am so sick of have the residual tums taste in my mouth.  This is huge!!!  Also I can have a little more phosphorus in my diet (dairy products, chocolate, who care about the rest).
I can have more potassium in my diet (avocados, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, long list).
My protein is getting so much better I am not taking the nastiest liquid protein in the world anymore (they didn't tell me to stop taking it….I just decided I have enough torture in my life right now!)
Things are certainly improving!  For the most part I have been feeling good!
                                 Only 3 weeks from today!!!

Meet the parents night

Well the time has come that the parents want to be involved.  Even though Corinne and I have both met each others moms and in-laws it was time to get together and make sure everyone approves.  I was a little bit nervous.  What if they met me (or re-met me) and decided I was not worthy of this incredible gift I was receiving from this amazing daughter of theirs?  I know I am not really worthy.  I mean how could I be?

Anyway we had an amazing dinner at the Harryman house.  Our kids are very close in ages so of course they had a great time!  It is funny as time has gone by our two oldest (Daxton and Faith) who used to have a lot of fun together have become very shy around each other!  Chalk that up to teenagers.   It was really a lot of fun spending time with the parents.  My mother didn't come, but my mother-in-law did. Everyone seemed to get along great!  It is good since are families are merging in a very different way!  From my perspective it was and amazing night! Hopefully everyone agrees...

22 days until transplant!  Isn't that crazy?  I do not have one once of fear or nervousness.  The Lord has blessed me with peace and Faith.  This time of trial really is a blessing.  I have learned so much.  I have never felt so much gratitude in my life either.

Knowing your limits

Ok this is one area I struggle in. I may know my limits, but I don't necessarily stick to them!
I felt really well yesterday. Right now I don't have a lot of days like that. I really do take advantage of them. Last night and today I am paying the price.

Sore feet! Hopefully sitting here at dialysis the fluid will get pulled out of them.  As I have more good days it makes me so excited to have this transplant done and have many good days.  It has been so long!  I am really going to try harder not to over do it right now.  I just need to be patient.  Great times are on the horizon!!!

Corrine…it is your turn to write!

The count down has begun!

Corinne and I wanted to document our journey to transplant.  It all started almost 6 years ago.  The first time our families spent time getting to know each other Corinne told me she would give me a kidney someday.  I think we both thought "someday" would be a lot further away.
August 2013 is when it all officially started.  I started communicating with the transplant clinic.  In October I went in and started tested and got approved for transplant.  Corinne started her testing in October as well.  It has seem like a crazy twisty path to get to the point we are now, but Corinne and I have held hands and followed the yellow brick road together!

Girl bonding  time at dialysis

I had my kidneys removed February 28.  I have been going to dialysis 3 times a week since. On April 29th Corinne will give me the greatest gift possible.  She is giving me a new life.  I could go on forever about my gratitude and how amazing I think it all is, but I don't want to cry!

27 days to transplant!!!!!

-Vick