June 19, 2012
Next Biopsy
Steven's next biopsy is scheduled for July 3. We'll know then what the rejection looks like. Steven is definitely feeling much better. Better color, has an appetite, and more energy! It's really SO great to see him looking and feeling so well. We have been out for many walks with the weather being nice at least a few days out of the week here. It's hard to believe that we won't have better news at the next biopsy, when he's feeling so much better. At any rate, we are grateful for Steven's health right now!
Steven's been very productive too with his activity/lifting restrictions. He has updated our budget spread sheets, created graph charts for his daily vital signs and lab stats, and updated his resume. He has even started studying for the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering)exam in October, which is a credential/certification that elevates your status in the engineering field. What a great guy!
June 12, 2012
Out in Public
Steven has been feeling better, tapering off the huge doses of steroids. He even felt up to going to church on Sunday. Of course, he just wanted to slip silently in the back, but he can't really be incognito with a bright orange duck-bill mask on! A little girl asked him why he had to wear that "thing on your face." I told her it's to keep him healthy, but maybe we'll just start telling kids he's getting ready for Halloween, early. :)
He's been going on daily walks, too, which is great. His creatinine level dropped a tiny bit on Friday (yay) and has stayed constant as of Monday (yay, again). Looks like he's on a good trend, here!
June 8, 2012
June 8, 2012
The maxi-pulse of steroids is being tapered down now. Lab levels haven't really changed, but the only true indicator of knowing if the rejection has been reversed will be another biopsy in beginning of July. This is basically the synopsis of his clinic visit yesterday. Steven has handled the extremely high doses of steroids with minimal side effects. His blood sugar has been high, but just a good excuse for us to both kick the sweet tooth snacking! He hasn't been able to sleep very well, but the Lakers might be interested to know that he has several pages of trading drafts drawn up for them to have a successful next season! Haha! We'll be interested to see labs today...whether the creatinine has gone down at all since being on the steroids. Steven will continue with his days as usual- with walk breaks throughout the day! :)
May 26, 2012
May 26, 2012
Today has been a good day so far! It's after lunch, and Steven has graduated to real food! That means, toast and a tiny salad. Another great thing- he got to take a shower! It's really those little things that make all the difference. His spirits are much better today, and he's weaning off his IVs, drinking more, and just all-around looking better. I think his patience in taking it easy with the food will serve him well, making it a lot easier on his stomach and poor innards that have been jostled around a bit. 3 cheers for a good day! Yay, yay, yay!
I went and picked up Steven's medication, as he could possibly discharge this weekend if he tolerates eating food. I joked with Steven when I came back and said I had gone grocery shopping, as I literally had 2 grocery bags full of meds. Hey, we are happy and grateful to have modern medicine that saves his life and keeps it going!
June 1, 2012
Biopsy Results
Well the results show that Steven does have rejection: mild acute cellular rejection. This is treated with mega doses of Prednisone. They'll do another biopsy next month to see if the steroids reversed this or not. We still have our faith that things will make a turn for the better!
May 31, 2012
Biopsy
Today, 5/31/12, Steven is getting a biopsy on his kidney. The doctor thinks there are some symptoms of rejection. I don't like that word, but there are several different "stages" of this, and if it's something like inflammation, it usually can be treated pretty quickly with mega-doses of steroids. His creatinine has crept up, and the doctor's just want to make sure that everything is good. It's an all-day process today, including a 4 hour rest with a sandbag on his abdomen afterwards. We should know the results tomorrow, and any resulting prognosis. On the bright side, we should get a good start on book 2 in the series we have been reading during the hospital stay!
May 29, 2012
May 29, 2012
Steven was released from the hospital yesterday on May 28. Medical staff mentioned that he was an "ideal" patient. His doctor wants labs everyday, as he is concerned if there is inflammation around the kidney. If labs indicate there might be, than he will have a biopsy on Friday. His meds are constantly being monitored as well and updated as needed. Just in the last 24 hours, there have been multiple changes/additions to his med list. Thank goodness for medical technology that can monitor these things so accurately and timely. Steven enjoyed a good night's sleep at home last night, and he is doing well!
May 26, 2012
May 25, 2012
Apparently there is a universal knowledge in the surgical unit that the 3rd day is a hard one, emotionally, for patients. Steven and his brother both had a rougher time yesterday. Matt seems to be doing much better today, and is actually walking circles around everyone else on the transplant floor. Steven is still having a hard time with some discomfort and pain. It has to be hard to try and keep your spirits up, too, when you haven't really eaten in 4 days. They tried to switch some IV meds into the oral form, and his stomach just couldn't handle these anti-rejections without being able to eat food. So, back to baby steps! Medically, things are fine, and this experience is pretty normal for post-surgery. He still may be on track for a Sunday discharge home.
May 24, 2012
May 23, 2012
Steven is surprising us all with how well he is doing. He looks great, and he has even walked 4 times today! Granted, he needed a long nap after walking, but he deserved it. He is still in great spirits, and the nursing staff have commented that he and his brother, Matt, are wonderful, polite patients. Steven is especially proud of his incision, where it will be a scar. It looks great, and Steven told the surgeon today that he thinks it is "pretty." It's a curved incision that goes across his (R) side of his pelvis. Anyone that has entered his room has been offered to see his mark. His nephrologist told him he might as well make it into a smiley face and just add some eyes and a nose on his abdomen! Steven's goal for tomorrow is to hopefully be able to eat some food; although he has got to be the easiest patient to please since he has declared the jello, popsicles, and frozen lemonade to be delicious. He also said that he's not worried about his catheter, but finds it rather convenient instead! He says he hasn't known what it's like to not have to get up to go to the bathroom about every half hour or more! That's Steven- always looking for the positive!
July 5, 2012
Biopsy Results
On 7/3/12, Steven went in for his re-biopsy to see if the rejection has been reversed. It is kind of fun to see familiar faces with the nurses in IRU, and even the transport workers. I really, truly enjoy getting to know people in the transplant community. There are some really inspiring people. There was an elderly couple there. The wife was getting her routine 3-month biopsy right before Steven's. I got to learn a lot about them, showing them which floors to go to and waiting during the procedures. It's about a 9 hour day, going to 3 different floors. I got a good amount of a book read, and Steven finished an entire level of Sudoku.
We are SO excited to report that the biopsy results from 7/3/12 show no signs of acute rejection! We were really anxious, because Steven's creatinine levels shot up a couple days prior. The team said that was concerning, and Steven was a little worried, too. He told me that he hoped this kidney wouldn't be rejected, because he didn't have time for another transplant. It was hard waiting for an extra day- since the holiday was the day after the biopsy- but I think the extra prayers really helped! Boy are we so grateful! The lady from the transplant team who called to give us the results stated that the transplant team will still meet next Tuesday to discuss the results, as they like to be extremely cautious when there has been rejection. However, she stated that the physician who performed the biopsy has already talk with the pathologist herself. We'll hear next week if there are any changes, but I think that it's safe to say that this has been a great day! I know I said a silent prayer as soon as I heard those words "no rejection" over the phone.
Steven's been feeling great (now that his anxiety is relieved after getting the results), and full of energy. I need to get used to Steven planning things to do, because before the transplant he just didn't have the energy to do a lot of extra things. We've gone to movies, the zoo, the OMSI museum, and most of all lots of walks. Of course, his mask, clorox wipes, and hand sanitizer accompany us everywhere. :) It's really been great to see him doing so well!
May 23, 2012
Transplant- May 22, 2012
Steven received his kidney from his brother, Matt, today. The transplant team is great, and we couldn't feel more at ease with the medical team providing their care. We checked in at 5:45 AM and Steven finally left the PACU at 7:30 PM. It was a longer surgery process for both due to extra veins and arteries in Matt's kidney (compared to the average kidney), but no complications for either. Both Steven and Matt are doing well.
Steven's creatinine levels have already dropped to 3.6, and should continue to decrease. Steven is still in great spirits, despite his obvious pain/discomfort. He will continued to be monitored hourly for signs of rejection/infection. He will be very happy when physicians give him the "go ahead" to eat and drink tomorrow morning.
The sentence that Steven has most often said is, "Matt is the best." I don't think anyone will argue with that!
We are thankful for everyone's support, thoughts, and prayers. They have been very much appreciated throughout this whole process!
