When I woke up, I was still having terrible gas pains. Anything that I tried to eat or drink immediately made this worse. Suddenly the logjam broke and all of my systems were working fine. I had no problem eating or drinking and walked about four miles (not all at once). I was like a new person. It was six days after my kidney donation and I was almost back to normal -- except for being tired.
Kate came home from the hospital. We had a long talk on the phone. She is doing well and so happy that she can sleep through the night and no longer has terrible "night sweats" requiring her to change the sheets.
Life is good. Tomorrow (Thursday) is my one week checkup at the hospital.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
T - 0 to T + 2 The Next Day - Nurse Joanne
Surgery was Thursday, Thursday night/Friday morning was a lot of monitoring and nursing care throughout the night. I did not get much sleep.
The nurse's aide took my vital signs every 4 hours. I remember BP about 105 over 65, or something close to that. My oxygen was 91. This was always an issue and I had to suck on a device to get it up. With hard work and much pain, I could usually manage to get it up to 94.
I was constantly reminded that I would have to get up and walk. At that point, it hurt to LOOK up, I could not imagine that I would GET up.
At 8am the shifts changes and shortly after that I met my day nurse, Joanne Ramoutar. I know that so many of you have been praying for me, but I didn't know that God sends a special nurse. Joanne was wonderful. She asked how I was doing and about getting up and walking. I told her that I felt terrible and the thought of getting up was painful. She said, "OK" and came back in a few minutes with two Percocet and told me to rest. I went into a deep, uninterrupted sleep. When I woke up, Joanne was there and asked if I felt like walking -- I said, "Sure". She adjusted the tubes attached to me, adjusted the bed, and I got up with no problem at all. The next thing I knew, I was walking up and down the hall with the other pole pushers. It was easy and I felt great!
The next time that my vitals were being taken by the aide, Joanne came in. The aide told her about my low oxygen level. Joanne said that she would try it. First she switched the oxygen sensor to the opposite side from the BP cuff and then she said that I need to sit up straighter so that my diaphragm was not compressed. She gently helped me do that and my oxygen went from 91 to 99.
After I was able to get up and walk, Joanne said that she could remove the catheter for my urine. I asked if she was good at it, she said yes and got up and walk to the other side of the bed. It was out and I never felt a thing.
Joanne kept a close watch on my pain medications and also started me on stool softeners -- something I would appreciate later.
Later that day, Barbara and I were going to visit Kate. We asked for the "Escort Service". Someone came to disconnect the IV, but he got flustered because he didn't know how to disconnect the fittings that were used. He said that I needed to wait for a wheel chair to take me down. We never got a wheel chair, but Kate was sleeping anyway. The next time Kate was available, we asked Joanne. She fixed my IV tube, disconnected it and said that we could walk down. It was so easy and so nice to be free of the pole.
I had my first visit with Kate. She looked good. She said that she had no pain -- I was amazed.
Our son, Norman, visited for a while on Friday morning and then left to catch a plane for CA. It was so good to see him.
The rest of Friday went well and I got more rest on Friday night. The next challenge was to get some output from my digestive system. It was a criteria for going home on Saturday. I, actually, did not care if I had to stay until Sunday. The atmosphere was pleasant and the care was good.
The nurse's aide took my vital signs every 4 hours. I remember BP about 105 over 65, or something close to that. My oxygen was 91. This was always an issue and I had to suck on a device to get it up. With hard work and much pain, I could usually manage to get it up to 94.
I was constantly reminded that I would have to get up and walk. At that point, it hurt to LOOK up, I could not imagine that I would GET up.
At 8am the shifts changes and shortly after that I met my day nurse, Joanne Ramoutar. I know that so many of you have been praying for me, but I didn't know that God sends a special nurse. Joanne was wonderful. She asked how I was doing and about getting up and walking. I told her that I felt terrible and the thought of getting up was painful. She said, "OK" and came back in a few minutes with two Percocet and told me to rest. I went into a deep, uninterrupted sleep. When I woke up, Joanne was there and asked if I felt like walking -- I said, "Sure". She adjusted the tubes attached to me, adjusted the bed, and I got up with no problem at all. The next thing I knew, I was walking up and down the hall with the other pole pushers. It was easy and I felt great!
The next time that my vitals were being taken by the aide, Joanne came in. The aide told her about my low oxygen level. Joanne said that she would try it. First she switched the oxygen sensor to the opposite side from the BP cuff and then she said that I need to sit up straighter so that my diaphragm was not compressed. She gently helped me do that and my oxygen went from 91 to 99.
After I was able to get up and walk, Joanne said that she could remove the catheter for my urine. I asked if she was good at it, she said yes and got up and walk to the other side of the bed. It was out and I never felt a thing.
Joanne kept a close watch on my pain medications and also started me on stool softeners -- something I would appreciate later.
Later that day, Barbara and I were going to visit Kate. We asked for the "Escort Service". Someone came to disconnect the IV, but he got flustered because he didn't know how to disconnect the fittings that were used. He said that I needed to wait for a wheel chair to take me down. We never got a wheel chair, but Kate was sleeping anyway. The next time Kate was available, we asked Joanne. She fixed my IV tube, disconnected it and said that we could walk down. It was so easy and so nice to be free of the pole.
I had my first visit with Kate. She looked good. She said that she had no pain -- I was amazed.
Our son, Norman, visited for a while on Friday morning and then left to catch a plane for CA. It was so good to see him.
The rest of Friday went well and I got more rest on Friday night. The next challenge was to get some output from my digestive system. It was a criteria for going home on Saturday. I, actually, did not care if I had to stay until Sunday. The atmosphere was pleasant and the care was good.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
T + 5 (Tuesday, 6 April)
Today as a very small step forward. GI system issues are still the major problem. I took two tylenol in the morning and two at night -- just because they may help with gas pain. I also took two stool softeners. None of the other pain is an issue -- like there is none.
I was able to walk outside today. The weather has been beautiful.
Trying to figure this out: What to eat, how much to eat, should I take pain killers. I am erring on the side of moderation.
I was able to walk outside today. The weather has been beautiful.
Trying to figure this out: What to eat, how much to eat, should I take pain killers. I am erring on the side of moderation.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Monday - 5 April
Today was a step back day. Although I am down to 2 tylenol a day, the effects of percocet on my digestive system are in full force. A couple of donors have told us this is normal, but it is still quite unpleasant.
I think Kate is working on adjustment of anti-rejection drugs. Think it could take a couple of days. My brother, Keith, talked to her. She is walking and eating a lot.
I am still getting to walk outside, which is nice.
I think Kate is working on adjustment of anti-rejection drugs. Think it could take a couple of days. My brother, Keith, talked to her. She is walking and eating a lot.
I am still getting to walk outside, which is nice.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
T - 0 to T + 3 (Waking Up)
When I woke up I noticed that the clock was a little after 2:00pm. I was disoriented, but the pain in my gut quickly brought me to the reality that I was now a kidney donor. I asked to see Barbara and she was brought in almost instantly. (Please be reminded that things were pretty hazy at this point, but she confirmed seeing me shortly after 2pm).
(Snopes says that the story on the internet about going to sleep with a pretty nurse and waking up missing a kidney is a hoax -- I need to write to them!)
The next thing I remember was being told that I would be brought to my room. The thought of being moved was very painful. I felt every little bump, like getting on and off an elevator. Sliding from the gurney to the bed was actually worse in anticipation than the actual move.
The nurse, Steve, put some morphine in the IV and that put me in la la land and took the sharp edge off the pain. My vital signs showed that I was still alive, although my assessment was, just barely. MY BP was about 100 over 55. I may have discovered a cure for high blood pressure, but I don't recommend it.
The next time that I needed pain medication, Steve said that he was going to switch me to Percocet because I need to be on oral medication before I could be discharged. A BIG MISTAKE!! After some time I told Steve that the Percocet was not taking the sharp edge off the pain. He said that I would have to wait a little bit and he would be able to give me some more morphine. When the time came, Steve put some more in the IV and things got better.
I had no pain at the incision, it was all related to my core muscles and the bloating putting pressure on things. Actually, most of the pain was where the kidney was. Having to turn in bed was the worst part. I never thought that I would be happy to have a catheter, but not having to get up to urinate was wonderful.
I had a complete team of people attending to me and somehow they would know when I got sleep and send in the next team member.
Dr Delpizzio's Team -- They were concerned with the incision and would give me the big picture about what was going to happen.
Nurse: She answered any questions and took care of pain medications.
Nurse Assistant: She took my vital signs (BP, Heart Rate, temperature and Oxygen level) every time that I managed to get to sleep.
Nurse Practitioner: I never figured out what she did. She asked if I had any questions and every time that asked one, she told me that the nurse would answer that. I tried five or six questions, but never hit on one that was within her purview, but she was cute.
Norman came in some time early evening. It was wonderful to see him. That brightened my day.
Barbara was checking with Fran (Kate's husband) on a regular basis. Kate did well and the kidney was functioning, but she had other issues like nausea and a rash. She stayed in the recovery room until the next day (Friday )-- more due to room availability than medical reasons.
My room was great. It was quite large and the staff immediately brought in a bed for Barbara. We were treated very well.
Thursday night was pretty tough -- the percocet wasn't cutting the pain all that well.
An aside: We have learned a lot about the Civil War because of living near Manassas, VA and numerous hiking trips to battle ground area. These soldiers were in make shift hospitals with limited supplies and freezing weather and I was in one of the best transplant hospital in the nation, if not the world -- I decided that I was going to live.
(Snopes says that the story on the internet about going to sleep with a pretty nurse and waking up missing a kidney is a hoax -- I need to write to them!)
The next thing I remember was being told that I would be brought to my room. The thought of being moved was very painful. I felt every little bump, like getting on and off an elevator. Sliding from the gurney to the bed was actually worse in anticipation than the actual move.
The nurse, Steve, put some morphine in the IV and that put me in la la land and took the sharp edge off the pain. My vital signs showed that I was still alive, although my assessment was, just barely. MY BP was about 100 over 55. I may have discovered a cure for high blood pressure, but I don't recommend it.
The next time that I needed pain medication, Steve said that he was going to switch me to Percocet because I need to be on oral medication before I could be discharged. A BIG MISTAKE!! After some time I told Steve that the Percocet was not taking the sharp edge off the pain. He said that I would have to wait a little bit and he would be able to give me some more morphine. When the time came, Steve put some more in the IV and things got better.
I had no pain at the incision, it was all related to my core muscles and the bloating putting pressure on things. Actually, most of the pain was where the kidney was. Having to turn in bed was the worst part. I never thought that I would be happy to have a catheter, but not having to get up to urinate was wonderful.
I had a complete team of people attending to me and somehow they would know when I got sleep and send in the next team member.
Dr Delpizzio's Team -- They were concerned with the incision and would give me the big picture about what was going to happen.
Nurse: She answered any questions and took care of pain medications.
Nurse Assistant: She took my vital signs (BP, Heart Rate, temperature and Oxygen level) every time that I managed to get to sleep.
Nurse Practitioner: I never figured out what she did. She asked if I had any questions and every time that asked one, she told me that the nurse would answer that. I tried five or six questions, but never hit on one that was within her purview, but she was cute.
Norman came in some time early evening. It was wonderful to see him. That brightened my day.
Barbara was checking with Fran (Kate's husband) on a regular basis. Kate did well and the kidney was functioning, but she had other issues like nausea and a rash. She stayed in the recovery room until the next day (Friday )-- more due to room availability than medical reasons.
My room was great. It was quite large and the staff immediately brought in a bed for Barbara. We were treated very well.
Thursday night was pretty tough -- the percocet wasn't cutting the pain all that well.
An aside: We have learned a lot about the Civil War because of living near Manassas, VA and numerous hiking trips to battle ground area. These soldiers were in make shift hospitals with limited supplies and freezing weather and I was in one of the best transplant hospital in the nation, if not the world -- I decided that I was going to live.
T - 0 to T + 3
This is actually the first time that I have gotten to write since the operation. The previous T - 1 entry was written by Barbara with some fuzzy input from me. We are now back at my mother's house in Farmingdale.
On Thursday morning we got to the hospital at about 5:15am. It was surprising how many people were on the subway and streets at that time. Kate and Fran and Kate's sister-in-law, Kay, were all ready there. They quickly took us all to a family waiting room and then Kate and I to rooms where we could change into those famous gowns with open backs, however, they gave us nice robes to put on top. It was kind of strange to remove my wedding band for the first time since we got married, almost 46 years ago. Barbara put it on and wore it the whole time.
We went back to the family waiting room. They came for Kate first because they needed to start an IV on her. My surgeon, Dr. Delpizzo, came and got me and marked my left side with his initials.
About 7:00am the nurse anesthetist (N/A) came and got me and we walked into the operating room. I layed down on the table and there was flurry of activity. They put compression legging on my legs, something on my back and an IV port in my left hand. Everyone was very nice and they explained everything to me as they did it. I thought of a recent Netflx that we saw where everyone was singing in the operating room. However, this group seemed totally focused on the task at hand. Very comforting.
The N/A said something about starting some anesthia and that is the last thing that I remember. I thought that they ask you to count -- I guess not.
I will continue in the next installment to keep these in reasonable size pieces. I, also, might need a short snooze at this point.
On Thursday morning we got to the hospital at about 5:15am. It was surprising how many people were on the subway and streets at that time. Kate and Fran and Kate's sister-in-law, Kay, were all ready there. They quickly took us all to a family waiting room and then Kate and I to rooms where we could change into those famous gowns with open backs, however, they gave us nice robes to put on top. It was kind of strange to remove my wedding band for the first time since we got married, almost 46 years ago. Barbara put it on and wore it the whole time.
We went back to the family waiting room. They came for Kate first because they needed to start an IV on her. My surgeon, Dr. Delpizzo, came and got me and marked my left side with his initials.
About 7:00am the nurse anesthetist (N/A) came and got me and we walked into the operating room. I layed down on the table and there was flurry of activity. They put compression legging on my legs, something on my back and an IV port in my left hand. Everyone was very nice and they explained everything to me as they did it. I thought of a recent Netflx that we saw where everyone was singing in the operating room. However, this group seemed totally focused on the task at hand. Very comforting.
The N/A said something about starting some anesthia and that is the last thing that I remember. I thought that they ask you to count -- I guess not.
I will continue in the next installment to keep these in reasonable size pieces. I, also, might need a short snooze at this point.
Friday, April 2, 2010
T+1
Short note....
All went well and all kidneys are working! The pain is less today and I've been up and walking. Very tired. Visited Kate and she was sleeping.
Our son, Norm and good friend, Marion were here yesterday and today. That was so special! zzzz
All went well and all kidneys are working! The pain is less today and I've been up and walking. Very tired. Visited Kate and she was sleeping.
Our son, Norm and good friend, Marion were here yesterday and today. That was so special! zzzz
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