Two Years Post Transplant!

Two years ago, on June 3, 2010, we, as a family, were preparing for surgery...arising early to bathe in some special antiseptic soap and arrive at the hospital at 5 AM, as I remember. Amazingly I slept soundly, confident that all would go as planned after several glitches. It is funny the things you remember looking back at this time...I remember showering and thinking, "I wonder how clean I really have to be? Won't they still use antiseptic when they do the surgery and won't the clothes I put on add some germs to my clean body?" Arriving at UVA Medical Center we were not the only ones to be corralled into a group and escorted up the elevator to the surgical floor by a gentleman in a red vest. Bryan commented to him wondering if he was the 'tour guide'.  I wondered as we went up the elevator if all these other people were having transplants! On arrival at the proper floor, I remember being separated from Ashley - she went her way and I went mine - isn't there a song sort of like that? We did see each other shortly before surgery but neither of us were worried or apprehensive and maybe we even joked that if there was a time to back out this was it! I remember the special blue warming suits we got to wear and they were awesome! Pumping warm air into these puffy suits....'heaven' considering I was ,or am, generally cold. I remember alot of waiting...then getting a "cocktail" and sort of becoming drowsy, but remember being wheeled into the surgery room...lots of chrome- or whatever the metal is...and thinking it sure was a small room and wondering if Ashley was on the other side of the wall.

As the time goes by I am sure my memories will fade, but I will never forget the wonderful care we received, the terrible food, the one or two nurses who were not the best but certainly the others who went over and above to be sure we were comfortable.Funny, but I remember the special way the nurses would say "you're welcome" and I knew they really meant it! I am thankful for the quiet strength of my family..never showing worry and always on call as we recovered to our full strength.I have thanked so many in previous parts of the blog and again I think of them. We celebrated this year as we did last with family and a couple special people who helped hold up Bryan and Ashley during this time having dinner at the same restaurant as last year. Maybe it will become a tradition.We reminisced about the event and how well things went and each person's memories of that time...a very special time in my life.

Now that we are a couple weeks past the 'anniversary' day, I have continued to have good blood work over the months, save one thing...my sodium seems to have been running low, only 5 pts. below normal, but enough to cause some worry to my transplant coordinator at Piedmont Hospital. She thinks that possibly I have been drinking too much water (go figure since I have never been a water drinker). I was instructed to drink other things - no water - so that is what I am doing. I will have the blood work done again in a week or so and then we will see what is going on. Because I have been so fortunate to have no problems, I continue to believe that all is  or will be fine. If it is not, and it would not be a liver problem, rather a kidney problem, I will see a kidney doctor go from there. I am not concerned and know that whatever is the issue will right itself. I feel good and do all the things I did before the surgery, thankful everyday for not only my health, but Ashley's good health and for the support we have received over the years of this adventure.