A HAPPY FUTZINGDAY TO YOU!

Good morning, Dearies!

I had a very interesting night's sleep. As I rolled from side to side or got up to use the facilities, I automatically reached for the wound vac to make sure I wasn't tangled in the tubing or that I wasn't going to knock it off of the nightstand.

(Amazing how being tethered to something for that long can train your brain.)

I've had a lot of questions about things....like what exactly was the wound vac and did it hurt, etc. The answer is that it didn't hurt at all, but in the initial stages the changing of the dressing was excruciating. The vac didn't go into the incision....they had a special sterile foam that they would cut and insert into the open areas, and then there was a plastic sheeting barrier that they would use to cover everything. Then they would cut a tiny hole in that barrier and lay what looked like a small disc of plastic over it that was attached to the machine. This little disc basically sucked all of the fluid, etc out and allowed the wound to heal from the inside.

Another question I've been asked is about Buzzy, and whether or not they removed him. The answer to that is nope...Buzzy is still in my left arm and will remain so unless he causes heart issues due to blockages. He will eventually shrink and go to sleep and stop buzzing, but he and I will remain very good friends.

The most popular question has been "how do you feel?" I'm still making my way through the physical aspects of transplant, so fatigue and feeling a bit weak are both very much with me. My mornings seem to be the roughest part of the day, and then again in the late afternoon. Waves of absolute exhaustion kind of wash over me and if I don't find a pillow I'm miserable. But, for the most part, I think that once I am full speed ahead again it's going to be amazing!

Weight and food and overeating have been a huge issue, especially the last three weeks, but this is very normal given the dose of steroids I was on. I have been craving Combos (the little cheese filled cracker/pretzel things) and, of all things, gyros. I don't even like gyros but I have had about fifty of them since being here! They told me to eat protein to help the wound heal, and apparently what my body wanted was gyros. I've also eaten my fair share of grilled vegetables on rice, as well as steak medallions from the Weber Grill, so maybe what I've really been after was meat in general?

I am allowing myself to indulge a few more days, and then I will be right back on the stick when I go home. I do weigh myself daily and know that I've gained a couple of kilos, so I promise you I am aware and watching things carefully.

Another question is about restrictions. I won't be able to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for about six months, and I still need to make sure to drink lots and lots of water, but dietary restrictions have all been lifted. I need to avoid grapefruit, starfruit, and pomegranate, but other than that I can eat whatever I want. Bananas are now back on the menu, and I've enjoyed one every day! (Couldn't have them on dialysis because of potassium). The weirdest thing is that I need to add things with high phosphorus in them (like dairy and chocolate, etc), whereas before I had to avoid phosphorus entirely.

Diet Coke and the like, I'm afraid, will never cross my lips again. Any type of dark cola is a big no no for kidney health, so I will stick with the diet Sprite or ginger ale every now and then and will be happy with that. 

I swear, these little kidney beans of ours are complicated little gizmos, and when you think about all of the stuff they do for us, you really have a new appreciation for the complexities of dialysis and transplant and balancing medications, etc.

Well, Dearies, it's time for me to take my first shower since surgery. I am really looking forward to it and have the big fluffy towels, the Irish Spring body wash, and the shampoo and conditioner all ready to go! I might never come out of there, so if you don't hear from me in a few days, you'll know where I am!