Transplant Eve

Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve….fun, celebratory eves. But transplant eve...how does one celebrate that?

Well, by packing a small bag and taking a shower with a special antimicrobial soap, of course.

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is the day. When I started this blog back in April, I had no idea that I’d be getting a kidney just six months later. It seemed like something that probably wouldn’t happen for years. Yet through the generosity of my friend and donor, I am getting a kidney tomorrow. I still don’t quite feel like it’s real yet. Even though in a few short hours I’ll be heading to the hospital, I’m still in disbelief.

The biggest question I’ve gotten in the last couple weeks is, “Are you excited?” As lucky as I am, I’m not sure excited is the word I would use. When I got the call that I had a kidney, that was exciting. That’s the call that everyone on a transplant list wants to get.

A couple weeks ago I had my pre-op appointment. I started the day at the Maine Med Brighton Campus for bloodwork, an EKG, a meeting with someone from anesthesiology, and a nurse. Then I went to Maine Med for a meeting with someone in the transplant department and for a tour of the floor I’ll be on as well as finding the surgery center. Then I finished the day at Maine Transplant where I met with my nurse coordinator, a nephrologist, and a surgeon. It was a full, overwhelming day. I heard about what would happen before, during, and after the surgery. After that day it hit me a bit more and the excitement went more to nervousness. Then I had two weeks to focus on this whole crazy day. Getting a living donor is ideal for many reasons, but there is something to be said for getting a cadaver kidney. You get the call and you have a short amount of time to decide to take it or not. You don’t have time to focus on all the what-ifs and the procedure. It just happens in a whirlwind.

So tonight there will be no tree lights lit, noisemakers blown, or champagne at midnight (because I can’t eat or drink after then), but I will be celebrating this eve quietly as I prepare for my transplant journey. I am nervous, but thankful and lucky.