February 5, 2008 - Mama Rose got the phone call she had been waiting on for many years. The next day she was cut open and some dude's kidney was hooked up to her body. It was quite a turn of events. Her first grandchild was born January 25, then 11 days later she gets a new kidney that would give her new, dialysis-free life.
February through March 2010 - Mama Rose recovered from the invasive surgery within a few months. Her body accepted the kidney fairly well and the creatinine levels got close to normal range, but it was never perfect.
March 2010 - Her creatinine levels rose and she went back on the list for another kidney transplant.
August 2010 - She went back on dialysis. It wasn't a great scenario, but the dialysis helped her body regulate a bit and gave it more energy than it had with just the partially functioning kidney.
January 20-21, 2011 - After an up and down health week, she got another exciting call on a Thursday evening: "Mrs. Rose, we think we have a kidney for you that is a great match. Don't eat or drink anything after midnight. We'll call you in the morning." Around 7:30 the next morning they called and told her to never mind, "go ahead and eat breakfast." Then at 10:30am they called and said essentially, "Never mind about never minding. Come on in. We think we'll be able to do your transplant at 4:00 this afternoon." It was a roller coaster of events. The smart people who paid a lot of money to go to school for a long time (aka doctors) began her surgery around 6pm that night; nearly three years after her first transplant.
January 22 through February 17, 2011 - The surgery went well. The doctors described her getting that specific kidney as "hitting the jackpot." She had some other complications in the days following surgery, but her body accepted the new kidney well. Her creatinine levels returned to optimal levels and she was able to go home. She ended up not feeling well and had to go back to the hospital. Some stuff that only those smart people who paid a lot of money to go to school for a long time could explain happened. Mama Rose had to have more surgery. It was quite exhausting and hard on a body. Other complications came and then the sad news came that the "jackpot" kidney had to be removed. More surgery. Her body had been through it.
Today - Mama Rose has had even more complications and is flat worn out. She is, understandably, ready to feel better. She has been very tough throughout the process. She must have the pain tolerance of a (insert something that has a high pain tolerance).
Prayers to The Great Physician are appreciated. Mama Rose's body needs to be healed. The doctors need to be directed to make good decisions as they try to care for her.
We are so grateful that our families are here in Winston-Salem together. And that Russ has his own ruts carved in I-40 between here and Raleigh.
So that's the quick recap of the last 3 years with Mama Rose's kidneys. Papa Rose will begin to provide updates via this blog as new developments come about.
Thank you for your prayers and concern.
- Blake
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