Billy the Kidney’s Adoption
(Written 4 days post op still on pain killers)
I thought many of you would like to read what I remember about the experience.
Monday night: Did the bowl prep so that everything would be spanking fresh for the surgery.
Tuesday (Sept 6, 2011): Arrived at IMC Same Day Surgery at 5:15 am and got all signed in. John and Rebecca arrived shortly after. Around 6:30 they called me back. John and Rebecca met us in the prep room and we shot the breeze for a couple of hours. The surgery was postponed a two hours because of an emergency surgery at another hospital. The plastic surgeon came in and did her markings. They wheeled me back, while they were putting me on the elevator John ran up to say good bye and give me hug. When I arrived in the OR I learned that the anesthesiologist went to high school with my Dad. Don’t ask how this came up, it was very convoluted. I was happy to hear the PA say, “Hey the A team is in here”. They showed me the door that Billy would be exiting through for his adoption in the OR next door. They put the mask on my face….
This is what I have been told took place. Rebecca, John’s parents, Ali, my Dad and Eric waited and received updates throughout. Everything went very smoothly. Billy worked so well that before they could hook the ureter up to John’s bladder is fire hosed the PA with urine. Way to go Billy. When the plastic surgeon arrived my belly button was missing. This was recounted to be while I was on a lot of drug and I was trying to figure out how you lose a belly button. Do you just set it down some place and lose track of it. What really happened was that the Kidney surgeon had to cut through the belly button. No worries. I will not be a freak. The plastic surgeon has made me a fake belly button with a skin graft. We will know next week how good it looks. I believe I was out for about six hours. Not sure how long John was out.
I woke up in the recovery room, which John has described a gymnasium full of moaning people. I have the impression that John had been there awhile before I came it. All I remember immediately was that I was in a lot of pain. They gave me phentanol. Thank you phentanol (sp?). The nurses said someone really wanted to see me. They wheeled John over and we held hands for quite some time. It was a very touching moment. I wish Eric and Rebecca could have been there to share that with us. They then took John up to the transplant floor and I was wheeled up about an hour later. My family visited me during this time, but I do not remember much. I do remember a very nice conversation with Rebecca. Around 10:00 pm I went on my first walk and felt great. They mentioned that I may be able to go by Thursday.
Wednesday morning: I woke up feeling pretty good and went on a walk with John. We also had many visitors. Wednesday night I was relying pretty heavy on the pain pump. I decided that I wanted to get my digestive system working so I started to wean myself. Still not sure if this was the best idea. That night my body realized what it had been through. John also describes this as his most difficult time. I got very little “real” sleep.
Thursday: I was a mess. I had nausea and headaches. I would dry heave and it would make my body ache. The plastic surgeon came to see me and straightened everything out. She save me an anti nausea drug and I slept for six hours. Thank you Kim Mallas for taking care of me when I woke up during this crazy sleep. She took me to the bathroom and made me a pillow nest to sleep in. When I finally woke up I felt 1000X better. Things had really turned around. I slept most of the next two days, but I was out of pain.
Saturday (Today): I woke up feeling good. I even showered myself for the first time since Tuesday. It was my day to be emotional. I visited John and Rebecca and let them know how special I felt to be part of this. I really do feel like they are family. John made it out of the hospital a couple of hours ahead of me. Always so competitive John.
I want to thank everyone for visiting, well wishes on Facebook and prayers. All of you have help to make this an amazing experience and something I will define my life as. Eric and Rebecca, thank you holding down the fort and for taking care of us. There is still recovery ahead but the worst is behind us. John came home with a lot of med and I emphasize “A LOT”. I came home with gross drainage tubes, a belly button “plug” and a walker. On an upside, John and I both got a free t-shirt.
Topic: Tomorrow is the Day (Read 9833 times)