♥Happy ♥ Happy ♥ Joy ♥ Joy ♥

WOOOHOOOO! Mariama's creatinine levels are back down to 1! PERFECT! Her breathing is better and she sounds WONDERFUL! Glad to have you back Mariama!

FUN KIDNEY FACT: 100%-50%= 150%

If a person has 2 healthy kidney's each kidney works 50%.
When 1 kidney is removed the remaining kidney increases its function to 75% (or more)
The removed kidney then placed in another body also increases its function to 75% (or more)

75% +75%= 150%
(75%  kidney function from 1 kidney is more than enough to sustain a normal, healthy and happy life).

 ♥WOOOHOOOOO ♥

"Don't Make Me Come Down There!"~ God

I paid Mariama a visit on Thursday. She had a biopsy and an ultrasound to try to pinpoint the focus of her discomfort. I was pleased to hear that she is not rejecting kidney! It's functioning perfectly. I noticed she felt discouraged not knowing the cause of her pain. She is experiencing pain in her chest which causes shallow breathing. She was working on deep breathing exercises to help. Her muscles are tight so I told her I'd bring Nick next time to give her the best massage of her life. LOL

Her eating and drinking are minimal. It's very important for her to stay hydrated and nourish her body. Above all she needs to hang on to the hope that she is getting better everyday and that this too shall pass. Changing your thoughts can change your life!

By the end of our visit I noticed her mood improve. She laughed and smiled more. We watched One Life To Life, General Hospital and The Oprah Show together. Then we went for a walk around the hospital wing. Staying in bed with a little movement can cause more of the same. It is important for her improved health to get up and move.

A Social Worker came in to speak with her about her recovery and how she was feeling and there was talk of her going home soon. I'll speak to her later today for an update and she if she will be going home.

All positive thoughts of love and supported are gratefully received. Thank you!

Cheers~

Biopsy

I spoke with Mariama about an hour ago. She was feeling quite groggy when I called to check in. She told me that she had just gotten out of a "biopsy." My brain started to scramble. " I had a biopsy on the kidney." She told me and was feeling "high" from the morphine and wasn't completely clear. It took me by surprise. Imagine my surprise. I felt bad and a little guilty. Is the kidney that I donated, poisoning her?

I read online its not uncommon that a kidney recipient can experience complications. This includes symptoms of rejection.  A drastic rise in creatinine is one of the symptoms that Dr.'s look for. In simplest terms levels of creatinine are determined by how well your kidney filters blood. After the transplant my kidney went from .85 to 1. Which is normal. Mariama's went from 4 down to 1. Which is fantastic! However it slowly increased to about 4. Generally, any high level of creatinine that persists or increases warrants a biopsy. The rise could be a sign of possible rejection. Another way to look at it is Mariama's body is adjusting to a "foreign" organ in her body. It's only been 5 weeks and it can take upto a year or more for her body to fully accept the kidney. Mariama is taking and will continue to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life.

I remind myself that Mariama is in the perfect place to work through her symptons and she is well taken care of. It's not much fun being in a hospital bed but considering the magnanimous undertaking of a kidney transplant I thank God that she is getting the care that she needs and deserves.

We all appreciate your positive thoughts and prayers for Mariama's full recovery!

Love to All

Getting back to normal....a new normal!

Has it really been 5 weeks? Yes, it's been 5 weeks post surgery and I'm 80% back to myself.  I'm working though a bit of fatigue and I'm moving a little slower (not sure if its from surgery or age..lol) but I'll be 100% in no time. It's amazing how your body recovers from organ removal surgery. Nothing less than MIRACULOUS!

Mariama is still in the hospital after being re~admitted for dyhydration. I spoke with my sweetheart Mariama yesterday for Valentine's Day. She has had some other issues outside the kidney transplant. At the moment the Dr.'s are trying to diagnose a tightening in her chest. So she has been going through several lung examinations. She is in the right place and we look forward to her complete healing!

It's been quiet a journey. It's pretty quiet around the house. The 4 Freeman's (Nick's kids) have left. (I could write another blog about that experience). I've decided to re~enter the job market and that in itself is a full time job. Wish me luck ;-)

The past few months have been an tremendous experience. A wild ride. Thanks for sharing this time with me. I will continue to post updates on Mariama's progress.

Cheers!

3 Weeks Post Surgery. Then and Now

6am headed to pre-op. All smiles

6am on Tuesday Jan. 11 Mariama and I checked in and headed to pre-op. I was feeling great! I felt pure joy that the day had finally arrived.

It took a few hours to prep. I must have spelled my name and gave my birthdate to about 10 people who made sure I was the Thea donating her left kidney.


Nick, Joe, Eliza wait with me

  I loved the anesthesiologist. She was cool and when they started coming at me with big needles to administer blood thinners, Amy was there with "Momma's Little Helper!" After 2 minutes of liquid valium....I was completely relaxed. At 8:30am I was wheeled into the operating room. A bit more prep and with a few deep breaths it was sleepy time!





One last kiss before "go time."

I woke in post op at about 11:30am. Feeling groggy but good. Glad that it every thing went great. There were no complications and I was on my way to recovery. Mariama was still in surgery when I woke but after an hour or so the nurse told me she had just gotten out of surgery and everything went very well. The kidney was working for her instantly. I was so pleased!

Over the next several days I felt pain from the incision and nausea and dizziness from the medication. Extreme thirst, lack of appetite and constipation.  I was told I was going to experience extreme fatique and I did. That was caused by my body's adjustment from two kidney's to one. So I slept alot which, if anyone knows me, is one of my favortie things to do. Nick stayed by my side the enitre time.



Thea and Oneta

                                               
I checked out of the hospital on Friday but was offered a generous stay at the Boston Westin by Oneta and Jon Bobbett. The Westin's Heavenly Bed is HEAVENLY. Room Service was DEVINE! There were still Nick and my blended 8 kids to manage when I got home and Oneta also made sure that when I got home, my house was clean and orderly so that I would have nothing to worry about.

My girl friend Diana came by with groceries which was so very helpful. Melinda stopped by with various breads and Nick is a constant provider always at my beck and call. I am very grateful to all of you.

One week post op I had my check up and everything went well. I was right on track. The only challenge I experienced is a job I had been waiting for over 1 year wanted to interview me 2 days after I got home. The timing was interesting. I was still nauseous, dizzing and in pain. The position was very demanding and I needed to be at my best. I went on the interview and decided not to tell them what I had just been through. I wasn't at the top of my game at that time. I didn't get the job! Maybe there will be another opportunity at another time.

It's now 3 weeks later (Feb 2) and I feel better and better every day. I'm no longer on pain medication and I'm not feeling as tired. I can laugh, sneeze, cough and clear my throat without pain shooting through my body. Mariama just called me from the hospital. She was admitted last night (Feb 1). She is very tired and dehydrated as the medications are causing vomiting and extreme diarrhea. The doc's will hydrate her and get her back on track and on her feet as soon as possible. 

My birthday is coming on Feb 7th. We're thinking about having a Super Bowl Birthday bash on Sunday Feb 6th. What a celebration of life and love that will be. Not exactly sure who I will cheer for. I just want to watch a good game. Well, maybe the Steelers :-)

Love To ALL!