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