7 Weeks....

Yesterday was 7 weeks, and all goes well. Since my last blog I had my stent removed...it was somewhat traumatic, but as painful as I first thought. Not to say I would like to go through it again anytime soon! 

Let me explain the process...first I was led into a type of mini operation room with a examination table located in the right corner surrounded by monitors and various equipment. Next a nurse asked me several routine medical type question, then she asked me to disrobe and handed me a hospital gown. After I got changed I was asked to get on the table, at this point the nurse began prepping ominous equipment on a table near me. I saw the nurse squirt generous amounts of KY jelly on two sections of the table, then she began to assemble the scope to be used during the removal. The scope consist of handle with controls, and a long black snake about 2 feet long. After the prep it was my turn...she took out a funnel type instrument and screwed a syringe full of lidocaine into the larger end. This where it began to get crazy...she grabbed the head of my penis and jammed the smaller end of the funnel into the tip of my penis! All the while she's telling me to relax and keep my legs open, while she pushes this lidocaine up my penis!

Once the nurse completed her prep, it was show time. The doctor suddenly appeared and without hesitation approached me, had me sign off on the routine legal matters and promptly began! This guy took the snake device and began feeding it up my penis, while trying to hold a conversion with me. Imagine being rapped while rapist ask you how your day is going, maybe about the weather, etc. So at some point the doctor ask me to look at the monitor to my left so I can see the live video from within my bladder. He shoes me the stent, remarks it's 14 french on size before grabbing it and pulling it out of my bladder/kidney/penis.

Oh yeah, at some point he mentioned something about passing water. At the time I was per-occupied with that 2 foot snake hanging out of my penis to ask questions. Afterwards I noticed everything below my waist felt wet...the nurse didn't seem like she wanted to answer questions about whether or not I pissed on the table. I can only speculate I pissed on the table!

So, there you have it...stent removal 101. 

Ohhh I forgot to say Happy New Year to those who still follow this blog.

Until next time...here a few pictures...take care!

Lil over three weeks

I'm doing great, nearly full range of motion with little to no pain. I still feel pain when doing certain things, but in general I feel improvement from day to day.

I drove myself to barbershop today...felt like I ran a marathon when I returned home. I just it takes time to regain stamina after laying around for three weeks.

Another side benefit is weight loss. MD's say it's excess water weight being stripped off by the new kidney. Not complaining in the least, I needed to loss a few pounds...I should be beach ready by summer!

I want to thank everyone who has supported me through this journey. This ordeal has changed my outlook on life and my understanding of the nature of good people. I hope to be able to pass on good deeds in the future.

I'll post some pictures from the hospital once I locate my transfer cable for the camera.

Two weeks out

It's been just over two weeks now since the transplant. Revocery seems to get better from week to week. Currently, I'm schuduled to visit the transplant clininc twice a week for the next month to check my progress and recieve my Belatecep infusion. Some days are hard to get out of bed, but I've been managing. All in all things are going well, just wish I could fast forward to the easier days.

Nexr major event is to have this stent removed from my bladder...not looking forward to that one!

Post Transplant Day 2

OMG I've got a great freaking new kidney! I feel like a million bucks and my mind is clear and unburden with my future. It's positivly amazing how miraculous the change in health over a period of 24 hours.

Aside from the usual pain of recent surgery my body feels amazing. I looks forward to resuming lost hobbies and being active with my family, espeically my daughter.

More to come!

Here we go...

It's the day before the transplant and I'm understandablity a little nervous, but excited about regaining my good health. Today, I plan to relax and get things in order for my next few days in the hospital.

Pre Op

Just got call from hospital to come in 11/11 @ noon for pre-op and consult with surgeons. The operation has been confirmed for 11/19.

Transplant Date nearing

Looks like I've got two possible dates for surgery. The dates are 11/17 and 11/19, which will be confirmed sometime early this week. It feels somewhat surreal now that the time is drawing near. Apryl has told me a few horror stories, but I'm still feeling good about the operation. I'm fortunate since I'm otherwise healthy and should not expect any complications.

Let's see, I'm being presented with a couple options regarding the surgery. First is the traditional transplant and the other is research based. The traditional relieves on 5-7 meds per day which can be harsh on the body and new organ, which could lead to shorter organ lifespan. The other is research based which uses new medications that are less harsh, which might man longer organ lifespan. Problem is research has only been done for a short number of years, whereas traditional has been monitored for the last 30+ years.

I hope to gain additional information on the positive and negatives of each within the next few days.

And, I believe that's it for now...