This morning I had my final blood draw taken for the final tissue matching. It’s just a redundant test they run to make sure I am what they think I am…a kidney match. I also had to fill out some final forms which made me laugh a little. The first one was a number of questions about whether or not I have had sex with someone suspected to be HIV positive or positive for Hep B or Hep C recently. It also inquired as to whether or not I have had sex with a man recently. I can only imagine what it must be like to get this questionnaire a week before donating a kidney and actually have to answer “yes” to one of those items. Obviously it happens, or they wouldn’t make me fill the form out.
Actually, when I met with the adult nephrologist many weeks ago, she told me a story about a guy who was a match to donate to his friend. The guy went through all of the tests and everything looked good and he was given final approval to donate. To celebrate, he went out for a wild night with friends, ended up having sex with a guy, contracting HIV and then donating an HIV infected kidney to his buddy. Sounds crazy, but life is crazy. I can’t say I was surprised to hear that story. The older I get, the less I’m surprised by human behavior. When you’re in your twenties, you’re pretty idealistic (and simplistic) about things. Once you start having kids and grow up a little, you start opening your eyes to the world around you, mostly to make sure you are protecting the little people whose safety you’re responsible for. I wouldn’t say I’m a cynic, but I’m very rarely shocked by people anymore.
Anyway…Piper was doing great this morning when I left her and I just got a text from Cathy McAdams that her hemoglobin looked very good, which is a relief. Barring some unforeseen circumstance, things look good to go for next Tuesday, and I’m excited to get this kidney into my littlest baby! Cathy reaffirmed today that I am completely done with all of my tasks and that I am to check myself into the hospital next Monday evening after dinner. It’s a strange protocol given that hospitals are notoriously unclean places (for obvious reasons) and most of the time, surgeons want you to stay away until the last possible moment, but this is the way this hospital does things, so I’m in no position to question it. Luckily, I will have my own room.
I was also reminded that beginning Sunday, I’m to begin a clear liquid diet. I can have soup on Sunday, but then on Monday, only Jello, popsicles and broth. Apparently, the less I have in my stomach when I get the anesthesia, the better I will feel after surgery. I can’t remember the last time I couldn’t eat what and when I wanted to!
I am also very excited to have my Mom and Dad here this Saturday. Clemson plays South Carolina on Saturday at noon, so it will be fun to have them around to watch that game together. If we lose a sixth game in a row to those coots, Piper and I will be very disappointed!
Here’s a picture of Steve Spurrier enjoying some downtime before the big game:
Love – Chris and Erin
One thought on “GETTING CLOSE NOW”
Thank you for the continued updates. I will be praying extra hard for you all this next week:-) have a happy Thanksgiving.
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