Last night, we had our first little scare. M's temp had been jumping all weekend, going from 98.0 to 100.6, back down. I called the nurse and she just said to watch it. He got sick Saturday night, we just thought it was his meal. Last night, he got sick again to the point his incision started weeping and his temp was 100.4, so we called and they had us go to the ER.
We spent all night in the ER and they ran labs. He indeed had a low grade fever, they are now attributing that to removing the drain. The vomiting was caused by his Cellcept, one of the anti rejection medications. They had upped the dose on Thursday. He has too much in his system now and his body is getting rid of it, the only way it can.
Dr.Gallo the young fellow transplant surgeon was WONDERFUL. She has been nothing but wonderful to Marty and I. She came in and checked on him. She told us we are being very dilligent and doing a great job. She isn't overly concerned, they don't like the temp most of all. They will watch that this week.
Please pray for the temp to go away and for them to get these digestive issues figured out. Some of the problem is diabetic gastroparesis, another side effect from being a diabetic for so many years. That could eventually get better, it might not.
Good news, it ISN't rejection!! His kidney and pancreas are looking better than ever!!! His labs looked great in that respect.
Bad news, we spent all night in the ER, came home, slept one hour and now are headed back out to appointments.
A modern day Pollyanna waxing poetic about her life.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Weekend visit
We had a nice weekend visit with the kids, my Dad and Rachel. We are so thankful to Rachel for driving them all up here so we could be together. It was nice to have the kids for the night, Conner slept right by us. Elizabeth kept hugging me.
The kids wanted to see the Hoover tower at Stanford today, but we couldn't find parking. So we took the kids to see the offices of Facebook and Google. That was fun for everyone to see.
It was quite the teary goodbye this afternoon. Conner wanted to stay with us and didn't want to leave. Elizabeth did pretty good leaving this time. I wish there was a way for us all to be together, but there just isn't. They will be visiting with family in So.Cal this week.
People keep asking how they can help. The best way is financially, not going to lie, running two households has been a burden. We are thankful to our church, family and friends who have already been helping out. We are very thankful for the help and it is appreciated. All of our needs have been provided for while we have been staying here. We know that God will continue to provide our needs.
The kids wanted to see the Hoover tower at Stanford today, but we couldn't find parking. So we took the kids to see the offices of Facebook and Google. That was fun for everyone to see.
It was quite the teary goodbye this afternoon. Conner wanted to stay with us and didn't want to leave. Elizabeth did pretty good leaving this time. I wish there was a way for us all to be together, but there just isn't. They will be visiting with family in So.Cal this week.
People keep asking how they can help. The best way is financially, not going to lie, running two households has been a burden. We are thankful to our church, family and friends who have already been helping out. We are very thankful for the help and it is appreciated. All of our needs have been provided for while we have been staying here. We know that God will continue to provide our needs.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday and Friday update
We went to the clinic yesterday. They continue to be thrilled with Marty's progress. He had the last drain removed. That was huge, for the last five years he had a tube of some sort coming out of his stomach. First the insulin pump and then a dialysis catheter. So he feels free now!
His blood pressure has shot up. That is because one doctor told him to take off a very strong clondine patch and the other doctor said to let it run out. We knew the second doctor was right but we keep seeing the first. So we took the patch off knowing what would happen. It isn't outrageous, but still high from being rather low.
His blood sugars are good. The highest it has been is 180, which I re-took a hour later and it was 129. What a working pancreas does!!!
He is still eating only little bits at a time and has a constant full feeling. He has been told his appetite will come back. He is still having restless nights, but we are told those will dimish once his bladder stretches back out.
We are looking forward to this weekend our kids, my dad, and good friend Rachel will all be visiting. We did have a overnight visit from Marty's mom last night also.
He does have to have a procedure on Monday to remove a stint holding a ureter open. We are told it is a very quick procedure and he will be out in 30 minutes. He is very anxious about that. So pray for it to be painless and quick.
Thank you all for the support. It is keeping us going and encouraging his recovery!
His blood pressure has shot up. That is because one doctor told him to take off a very strong clondine patch and the other doctor said to let it run out. We knew the second doctor was right but we keep seeing the first. So we took the patch off knowing what would happen. It isn't outrageous, but still high from being rather low.
His blood sugars are good. The highest it has been is 180, which I re-took a hour later and it was 129. What a working pancreas does!!!
He is still eating only little bits at a time and has a constant full feeling. He has been told his appetite will come back. He is still having restless nights, but we are told those will dimish once his bladder stretches back out.
We are looking forward to this weekend our kids, my dad, and good friend Rachel will all be visiting. We did have a overnight visit from Marty's mom last night also.
He does have to have a procedure on Monday to remove a stint holding a ureter open. We are told it is a very quick procedure and he will be out in 30 minutes. He is very anxious about that. So pray for it to be painless and quick.
Thank you all for the support. It is keeping us going and encouraging his recovery!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Before the morning
Two weeks ago, we were before the morning. Today, two friends told me the same thing, "It feels great to be on this side of transplant." It truly does, it still really hasn't sunk in yet. I still have a hard time believing it really happened and we are here. It feels almost unreal at times.
We have been taking walks and really just being. We haven't been doing much each day, but resting and relaxing. I have started the process of turning the blog into a book. I am going to call it "Before The Morning" after a song that gave us hope during the dark times.
We are so thankful to God for his mercy and faithfulness. These are the words that kept Marty going, these are the words that gave him hope. Perfect to share on the two week anniversary. We are singing a new song today. One of joy, hope, peace and amazement.
Psalm 40:1-3
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
We have been taking walks and really just being. We haven't been doing much each day, but resting and relaxing. I have started the process of turning the blog into a book. I am going to call it "Before The Morning" after a song that gave us hope during the dark times.
We are so thankful to God for his mercy and faithfulness. These are the words that kept Marty going, these are the words that gave him hope. Perfect to share on the two week anniversary. We are singing a new song today. One of joy, hope, peace and amazement.
Psalm 40:1-3
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A interview with Marty
We all know, Marty is a man of few words and I am definitely the mouthpiece of this operation. Everyone wants to know how he is feeling and taking all of this in. The best way is a interview, so I can convey his feelings to everyone.
How were feeling before the call, what state of mind were you in? " I was very tired. I really didn't feel like doing much of anything except stay in bed. Tired of being tired, tired of it all. I didn't feel like talking to anyone, I didn't feel like being out. "
What kept you going? "that there was hope. Hope that I would feel better after the surgery. Hope that I would feel better to do things with the kids and with you."
So how did you feel when the call came? " Excited, nervous and a little scared. I have mentioned it before, it's like when you are a kid and you go to the theme park for the first time. You want to go on a big ride and you have fear, you know it will be okay and that you'll have fun but there is fear. The next thing you know, your next in line and your heart is pounding and you are scared."
When did it hit you, this is was really it? "When they were wheeling me back for surgery."
How did you feel when you woke up? " Well, when I first woke up I had a breathing tube down my throat and I was aggitated. Kind of upset they wouldn't take it out. They put me back to sleep I guess, it seemed like thirty minutes but I guess it was a day. When I was able to talk, I was looking for you."
What amazed you the most after surgery? " the doctors telling me that I could eat whatever I wanted and that I could eat the things that I have had to cut out of my diet, or that I was expected to eat those things now! Being able to eat things I have never been able to eat before. Having orange juice with breakfast, eating ice cream."
He turned the tables and just asked me, "What amazed you the most?" When they came out and told me you went from a blood sugar of over 500 before surgery to 120 after surgery. Everytime we check your blood sugar, I am amazed. Seeing it be 98 this morning after it was 122 last night, that was pretty darn amazing.
What do you think about the outpouring of love, the calls, the texts, the emails, blog comments, people praying? " I was just amazed, I read all of them. It definitely helps when you are going through the times of pain and are wondering if it's all going to be alright? I am thankful for the support. It means a lot to me."
So how are you feeling today? " I feel good. My energy is coming back day by day. That is exciting for me, I have energy to do things like go out and walk."
How do you feel about living here at Stanford? " I think it is a good program, I don't see how we could do it any other way. The only thing I wish they would have is more options for families with kids. I miss my kids!"
What are you doing with your recovery time? " Spending time with Julie. Hooked on the Boba tea, going to get Boba tea once a day. Enjoying shopping at Trader Joe's, since we don't have one near us."
What has been the most stressful part of this time? " Worrying about the kids. Missing them"
What are you looking forward to in the coming months? " Going back to work! Making plans for the future. Doing more activities with the kids."
What would you like to say to the donor family? " You know, it may sound cliche but my deepest and sincerest thank you for a second chance at life. You have given me the opportunity to see my grandkids. I would like to know and learn about your child, who donated their organs to me. I would like to know about their life and given the opportunity, I would like to tell them we were praying for them for three years."
Closing thought? " Three words that I would have had a hard time saying two or three months ago, To be continued."
A/N: That's a lot of words from Marty! I am impressed!
How were feeling before the call, what state of mind were you in? " I was very tired. I really didn't feel like doing much of anything except stay in bed. Tired of being tired, tired of it all. I didn't feel like talking to anyone, I didn't feel like being out. "
What kept you going? "that there was hope. Hope that I would feel better after the surgery. Hope that I would feel better to do things with the kids and with you."
So how did you feel when the call came? " Excited, nervous and a little scared. I have mentioned it before, it's like when you are a kid and you go to the theme park for the first time. You want to go on a big ride and you have fear, you know it will be okay and that you'll have fun but there is fear. The next thing you know, your next in line and your heart is pounding and you are scared."
When did it hit you, this is was really it? "When they were wheeling me back for surgery."
How did you feel when you woke up? " Well, when I first woke up I had a breathing tube down my throat and I was aggitated. Kind of upset they wouldn't take it out. They put me back to sleep I guess, it seemed like thirty minutes but I guess it was a day. When I was able to talk, I was looking for you."
What amazed you the most after surgery? " the doctors telling me that I could eat whatever I wanted and that I could eat the things that I have had to cut out of my diet, or that I was expected to eat those things now! Being able to eat things I have never been able to eat before. Having orange juice with breakfast, eating ice cream."
He turned the tables and just asked me, "What amazed you the most?" When they came out and told me you went from a blood sugar of over 500 before surgery to 120 after surgery. Everytime we check your blood sugar, I am amazed. Seeing it be 98 this morning after it was 122 last night, that was pretty darn amazing.
What do you think about the outpouring of love, the calls, the texts, the emails, blog comments, people praying? " I was just amazed, I read all of them. It definitely helps when you are going through the times of pain and are wondering if it's all going to be alright? I am thankful for the support. It means a lot to me."
So how are you feeling today? " I feel good. My energy is coming back day by day. That is exciting for me, I have energy to do things like go out and walk."
How do you feel about living here at Stanford? " I think it is a good program, I don't see how we could do it any other way. The only thing I wish they would have is more options for families with kids. I miss my kids!"
What are you doing with your recovery time? " Spending time with Julie. Hooked on the Boba tea, going to get Boba tea once a day. Enjoying shopping at Trader Joe's, since we don't have one near us."
What has been the most stressful part of this time? " Worrying about the kids. Missing them"
What are you looking forward to in the coming months? " Going back to work! Making plans for the future. Doing more activities with the kids."
What would you like to say to the donor family? " You know, it may sound cliche but my deepest and sincerest thank you for a second chance at life. You have given me the opportunity to see my grandkids. I would like to know and learn about your child, who donated their organs to me. I would like to know about their life and given the opportunity, I would like to tell them we were praying for them for three years."
Closing thought? " Three words that I would have had a hard time saying two or three months ago, To be continued."
A/N: That's a lot of words from Marty! I am impressed!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday clinic update
Went to the kidney clinic today. So far, so great! They are very happy with everything still!
His blood sugar was 160 once last week, they said Predisone or Prograft ( anti rejection med) can contribute to that. So they are going to try to lower the Prograft, he is already being tapered off the high steroids. His pancreas is working just fine. They have him on high Prograft because they are more worried about pancreas rejection but it is toxic to the new kidney.
The said the kidney was still a bit sleepy, but that is due to the Prograft. So they fully expect things to just keep getting better and better.
He gets to ditch a high powered blood pressure medicine he has been on. He is down to two and they might be able to wean him off those soon.
Our good friends Matt and Tammy came to visit yesterday and today. It was so good to see them and have a piece of home here with us. Thanks for coming to see us!
The kids are coming for the weekend this weekend. Our good friend Rachel is bringing them up along with my Dad. We are looking forward to that!
His blood sugar was 160 once last week, they said Predisone or Prograft ( anti rejection med) can contribute to that. So they are going to try to lower the Prograft, he is already being tapered off the high steroids. His pancreas is working just fine. They have him on high Prograft because they are more worried about pancreas rejection but it is toxic to the new kidney.
The said the kidney was still a bit sleepy, but that is due to the Prograft. So they fully expect things to just keep getting better and better.
He gets to ditch a high powered blood pressure medicine he has been on. He is down to two and they might be able to wean him off those soon.
Our good friends Matt and Tammy came to visit yesterday and today. It was so good to see them and have a piece of home here with us. Thanks for coming to see us!
The kids are coming for the weekend this weekend. Our good friend Rachel is bringing them up along with my Dad. We are looking forward to that!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
This is my year!!!!
Marty got his transplant and is recovering nicely and now the Packers are going to the Superbowl!!!!
Marty is feeling really good this weekend and everything looks great. He goes to the doctor tomorrow morning. I will update more then. We had to say goodbye to our kids after a 45 minute visit yesterday and that was hard but our good friend Rachel is bringing them up next weekend for a overnight visit. Marty is bummed about football this year, his Vikings had a bad season, so he could care less about the game.
Everyone always wants to know, how did your California family become Packers fans? Our Grandma was born and raised in Milwaukee. They were huge Packer fans and our grandpa adopted the team when they married. So we grew up Packers fans. My cousin Andy is the biggest fan in the family! We are all thrilled. This is just the icing on the cake of good things happening to our family in 2011!!!
Now we are wanting the Packers to win and Marty to continue making a great recovery. And if it's not too much to ask, maybe Conner and I's favorite cyclist Andy Shleck could win the Tour De France this year too!
Marty is feeling really good this weekend and everything looks great. He goes to the doctor tomorrow morning. I will update more then. We had to say goodbye to our kids after a 45 minute visit yesterday and that was hard but our good friend Rachel is bringing them up next weekend for a overnight visit. Marty is bummed about football this year, his Vikings had a bad season, so he could care less about the game.
Everyone always wants to know, how did your California family become Packers fans? Our Grandma was born and raised in Milwaukee. They were huge Packer fans and our grandpa adopted the team when they married. So we grew up Packers fans. My cousin Andy is the biggest fan in the family! We are all thrilled. This is just the icing on the cake of good things happening to our family in 2011!!!
Now we are wanting the Packers to win and Marty to continue making a great recovery. And if it's not too much to ask, maybe Conner and I's favorite cyclist Andy Shleck could win the Tour De France this year too!
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