1. I began monitoring my kidneys' chronic disease back in January of 2005, while living in Eugene, when I visited a nephrologist, Dr. Zakem, for the first time. I had just, in December of 2004, begun to see a new primary care giver, Dr. Ghandour. I had been feeling awful for months. He ordered a comprehensive series of tests and discovered that my kidney function was low. None of the symptoms I had been experiencing back in 2004 were related to the kidney disease he discovered, but my long road toward eventual transplant began over nineteen years ago.
I never have experienced kidney disease symptoms. If it weren't for what my regular blood work unfolded, I would never have known I was ill. Kidney disease can be that way, an almost phantom illness.
The disease progressed slowly over the years. If you've read this blog, you know that my kidney function, while key numbers were poor, remained stable.
I was listed for transplant in Baltimore back in the spring of 2015.
I've been fortunate over the last nine years on the transplant list. I've never been on dialysis. I never stopped producing urine.
The transplant on Saturday was what's known as a preemptive transplant. For several years, the hope has been that I could receive a third kidney before this disease progressed to the point that I needed dialysis.
Now, after the surgery, one of the chief concerns of the transplant team is that I continue to produce urine.
I now log my urine output, along with logging every drop of fluid I drink.
I am drinking about 200 ounces of fluid during the day and producing about the same amount of urine all through the day and night.
All through the night, I'm back to the bathroom, urinating in a bottle, logging it, grateful that this aspect of my kidney function and my recovery is going so well.
Yes, I would one day like to enjoy a rarely interrupted night of sleep, but if that happens, it won't be right away.
I will continue this voluminous intake and output of fluid for another three weeks.
2. Things slowed way down at home today.
Debbie can leave me alone.
She worked.
I didn't have much to do. No trips to Spokane. No labs. No meetings. No toting around a catheter bag. Nothing scheduled.
Fortunately, I'm able to get up and walk around with only the mildest of discomfort at the incision spot.
And I can cook!
I fixed myself a delicious breakfast of potatoes and eggs and another delicious lunch of pasta, butter, lemon juice, and roasted panko.
I'm eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, drinking milk at every meal, and eating yogurt.
Saturday, I'll carry a light load of laundry (under five pounds) to the basement and get it washed and dried.
I'm taking it easy, as ordered, but I'm also under orders to keep moving around, keep showered, and to do whatever light tasks I can. I can load and unload the dishwasher, keep counter tops and cutting boards clean, and do other small chores around the house.
It's working.
3. Debbie had this superb idea to make us each a hamburger using naan as the bun.
I loved this burger. It was light and flavorful. The small chopped salad she served me with it was perfect.
So while I could have made my own dinner, I never would have come up with this idea.
Debbie and I are working very well together as I continue to improve and adjust to life with a new kidney.
I'm very grateful.
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