POST-TRANSPLANT SUNDAY UPDATE

It has now been five days since the transplant and everyone is doing well. Piper is recovering nicely in the hospital and her new kidney is doing what it is supposed to do. I’m at home and have been since yesterday, and each day gets a little bit better. I have not taken a pain pill since I left the hospital and am feeling good about that.

Piper looks so good other than a little dehydration which is a result of her adult kidney working TOO well at drawing the water off of her. Erin has spent most of her time with Piper but has gotten some nice relief from Desiree. As long as Piper continues to make progress at this rate, she will be home very soon. When I saw Dr. Kaiser at the hospital yesterday morning he just smiled while looking at her test results and said “this was such a good kidney.”  I’m so thankful for that. God knew that Piper would need this kidney one day so He made it extra strong.

Dr.’s Kaiser and Dunn were also very positive about my test results.  My blood looks great and my kidney is doing its job.  Apparently they put 14 pounds of fluid on me during surgery and it will take some time to pee all of that off. They encouraged me to go home and drink lots of fluids and rest. I should be back to normal in a month.

Harper and Sophia are very happy I’m home and I’m glad to be with them.  They have been such great little troopers through this and I’m really proud of them. I know this hasn’t been easy on them.

My pain is much less now and mostly I just have tightness in my belly, some intestinal problems (what’s new?) and a lot of fatigue.  Each day gets better though.  I guess the intestinal problems have a lot to do with the fact that Dr. Frank had to really manipulate my intestines to get to my kidney and as a result, my intestines have gone on strike.  It’s slowly getting better though.

What can I say about all of the support we’ve gotten? It’s been unbelievable.  We are so lucky to have so many people supporting us and praying for us.  We will forever be grateful.

I’m also reflecting a lot on the whole thing.  Many people have told me how amazing and selfless my donation was but I just don’t see it that way.  I never made a decision to do this as there was never any decision to make. I never weighed the pros and cons or put any other kind of thought in it. I simply did what everyone else who loves their children would do. It really is that simple.  I admit I was surprised by the pain afterwards and the reality that I could do so little to help around the house, but everyone was very clear about what to expect.  I just wasn’t listening, because there was nothing that was going to stop me from doing this so why even discuss it?  I can honestly tell you that if given the chance to do it again, I would without hesitation.

I’m sure I will babble more about my thoughts and feelings as the weeks progress (and I can write posts on a computer rather than my cell phone) but thanks for reading and for all of your support.

I will also push Erin to write more.  She’s been amazing through this and I’m so proud of her. I look forward to taking a vacation with her as soon as possible.

All my love – Chris

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