Transplant Anniversary

That was a fast year.

It doesn’t seem possible to think that it has already been a year since I received my new kidney. It truly feels like it just happened. From the days leading up to the surgery, to being in the hospital, and to the recovery at home, it’s all so vivid in my mind.

Fortunately I’ve had a good first year. In my many appointments, which went from twice a week to now once a month, the doctors have been pleased with my recovery and my kidney function is solid. The numbers in all of the blood work have been where they want them for the most part. I was lucky to not get any viruses (such as CMV or BK) that new recipients can acquire. The only thing I did get, which is common due to a suppressed immune system, is thrush in my mouth. Yes, I know this sounds gross. It just took some medicine that I had to swish and swallow four times a day to take care of that.

It was an adjustment to taking all the pills morning and night, but as the doctors always remind me, my med list is small compared to many recipients. One of the anti-rejection drug levels took some adjusting for the first few months. It was either too high or too low and wouldn’t hit the correct range. It has gotten better and fewer adjustments are needed now. As long as the dose is correct, I don’t notice many side effects from that pill anymore except for hand tremors. Another of the anti-rejection drugs is a steroid, so I still have a puffier face and a little extra weight that wasn’t there pre-transplant. But let’s face it, being over 40 and on a daily steroid makes shedding pounds a bit tricky. However, if shaky hands and a little extra weight are what I have to deal with for a working kidney, I think I’ll be alright.

I will be taking anti-rejection, or immunosuppressant drugs, for life, or as long as this kidney lasts (hopefully a long, long time). With that comes the issue that I am more susceptible to simple things like colds, as well as more serious illnesses such as cancers and diabetes. The drugs suppress my immune system so that my body doesn’t try to fight off the foreign object, the kidney, but that opens me up to other problems. I have become a bit of a germaphobe. I use a lot of hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes in my classroom. Every time someone coughs or sneezes near me I feel contaminated and want to wash immediately.  

The one certainty about a transplant is the uncertainty. While things seem good now, there’s always the fear that things can go wrong. My body could reject the kidney at any time. I have a higher level of donor specific antibodies which puts me at a higher risk for rejection. Last month my antibodies were elevated, so they increased one of my other anti-rejection drugs to see if that will bring them back down. Also, a transplanted organ doesn’t last forever. Some people are lucky to get many years and sometimes that’s not the case. I try not to dwell on what can go wrong and continue hoping that it all stays fine. I feel good, so I hope that’s a sign that all is going well.

And, of course, how can I forget my friend, Jill, who opted to be part of a paired exchange when we weren’t a match. Without her willingness to donate to a stranger for me, which she did December 6, 2016, I likely wouldn’t have a new kidney right now. And my donor Denise. I’m very fortunate to have been given a kidney by such a kind and thoughtful person who is now a friend. These are two people for whom I will be forever grateful. And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank all of you who took steps to be a possible donor and those who supported me before, during, and after the transplant. The doctors and nurses at Maine Transplant and R5 at MMC are all fantastic as well. There are too many people to name by name, but I know who you are and I thank you.

December 1,  2016
Jill and Denise...the first day I met my donor! 

While I am fortunate to be able to celebrate this one year of my transplant, I’d also like to remind people that there are many others waiting for kidney transplants. While I may be greedy and have three kidneys, most people are able to live with only one. Even if you don’t know someone specific who needs one, you can be an altruistic donor for someone. The information for the Maine Transplant Program is here if you would like to know more. Or you can ask me! I’d love to see someone else be able to celebrate their one year anniversary as well!

Here’s to another year of good health!

The chain (that we've met so far, minus our altruistic donor Bruce)
doing the Maine Nephrology 5K in April 2016.
Our team was "The Chain Gang." Get it?  :-)

The first part of our kidney swap chain...a summer get together!