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7 weeks post-transplant surgeon appointment!

Today was the ‘big day’ after the transplant. Customarily kidney recipients have a checkup by their surgeon 6 weeks after the transplant (for scheduling reasons, mine was at 7 weeks). At OSU, the surgeon is also effectively a nephrologist, so he not only covers the physical surgery but also all the medications, the kidney function, etc. He reviews the last 7 weeks of blood tests (I’ve had blood drawn twice a week since the transplant) and of vital signs (I’ve been taking my temperature, pulse, and blood pressure 4 times a day). He goes over medications, symptoms, side effects, etc. This is all in addition to checking the surgical incision, healing, and complications. He also removes any staples or stitches still present, and finally checks out your “pee“.

Everything was hunky-dory, folks. My kidney function remains within normal parameters. In other words, the kidney is serving me just as your kidneys are serving you. My blood pressure is beautiful, probably better than yours! As a matter of fact, the doctor instructed me to lower one of my blood pressure meds; it looks like I need less of it, and it has some unpleasant side effects. I asked the doctor about any activity restrictions such as swimming; he examined my scar and told me no restricted activities. I told him that I am feeling great and have even started going back the gym, which he seemed pleased with.

The only minor downsides are as follows: the blood pressure side effects mentioned above, which we are addressing. A little bit of anemia, which is making me a titch weak but which we are also addressing (yay iron!). A little bit of gout, my painful kind of arthritis, which we aren’t specifically addressing but which is getting better on its own.

His exact words were “You’re doing great”. He doesn’t want to see me for two more months! I am very pleased by this, and still in amazement at how quickly I’m healing and returning to health.

In modern times, miracles are performed through the agency of human actors.

Tags: transplant
Posted by mark beadles in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Back

Back on the Chain Gang
Back to School
Back in Black
Back in the Saddle
Back in the High Life

Tomorrow will be six weeks after my transplant. I went back to work today. My children and my wife are ecstatic: sick of me I suppose. I know I’m sick of not using my brain, and I’m getting cabin fever, and I’m getting sick of just sitting around here. So instead I’ll go sit around in my office. Physically the work was not a problem and I felt just fine. Admittedly my job is sedentary, but still, no blood pressure problems (too high nor too low), no fluid retention, no fever, no nothing. Excellent!

The work day was low-key, especially since I spent most of my time digging through mountains of e-mail and snail mail. No voice mail though, I turned off my mailbox.

So, here we go. The first phase of recovery is over, and I’m a breadwinner again. On to the second phase, which will consist of optimizing my physical condition. AKA getting buff!!

Tags: transplant
Posted by mark beadles in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »