National Kidney/Pancreas Transplant List

I was just called by my transplant coordinator at the UM Transplant Center. As of today, I am now on the National Kidney/Pancreas Transplant List. There is a few things I need to do ASAP. The Transplant Center needs fresh blood platelets(my last samples were from this past Feb)and every 2 months I will need to have blood drawn here in Duluth to be sent to the Transplant Center. Mary Beth(my coordinator) is sending me a packet that I'll need to fill out and list every name and phone # where I can be reached. This included my home/cell, my work #, and any family #s. I'm letting some of you know that I will list your name/#s. Now we all need to cross our fingers that the 'PHONE CALL' comes sooner then later. Right now its an average of 6 yrs to receive a kidney.

This past Friday I had my peritoneal catheter surgery. The surgery went fine but I was sick and some pain for 2 days after the surgery. I'm at home now doing pretty good. Still little sore and still not much energy or appetite. It takes bout a month for the peritoneal to heal before I can start the dialysis. Every week I'll go to the Dialysis Center to have the dressing changed and have it flushed. Oct 6-10 I'll have all day training at the Dialysis Center then after the week I will be doing the dialysis at home. My Kidney nurse told me once I start dialysis it should take bout 2 weeks for me to start feeling better. FOR ME THAT CAN'T START SOON ENOUGH.

Another Update

Another update with my transplant process.

My health as been slowly going down. Not feeling well, no energy, no appetite, and loosing weight(which y'all know I can't afford to). Each week I go in for lab work and visit with my kidney nurse/doctor. Last week we all decided it was time to start some type of dialysis.

On Friday Sept 5th I will have minor surgery to place a small catheter through my lower abdominal wall and into the peritoneal cavity. A small hose will be attached to the catheter to which provides the means of attaching the bags of dialysis fluids. The fluid will stay in my peritoneal cavity for several hours. During this time,waste products and excess fluid pass from the blood into the peritoneal cavity. After the completed dwell time (period of time dialysis solution is in the abdomen). The solution will be drained from the cavity. I will then fill the cavity with fresh solution and the process will begin again

Since I don't have to go to a dialysis center for treatment, PD (peritoneal dialysis) give me more control. I can do treatments at home, at work, on trips. Give me a lot more independence. I've been working not to go on dialysis but the way I feel its time.

Also last week I got quite a surprise at work. One of the maintenance guys at the Depot came up to me and ask how he can be tested because if we match he'd like to donate one of his kidneys. What a SURPRISE. I didn't know what to say, it was such a shock. This next week John will get tested so if everyone could cross fingers,arms,legs,eyes and say a little prayer that there is a match. I'll let everyone how the test comes out. **If anyone else might be interested in being tested. You can contact Me, Mom or Laurie to start the process***