Update on my kidney transplant

I'm sorry but not been on here for a few years although I am a member on other sites. Some of you may remember me. I had a double nephrectomy in 2011 due to PKD and then in December 2013 I came off hemodialysis when my friend gave me a kidney. My journey has been very successful although pretty tough at times. The double nephrectomy was z very difficult operation and recovery and unfortunately in the months that followed my husband decided to leave me after 27 years together. My aunty who also suffered the same disease as many of my family members do was waiting for a kidney at the same time as me whilst on dialysis but she wasn't do lucky and she developed a liver infection which took her life. My amazing friend Helen who used to be my boss at work gave me a kidney which completely changed everything and reopened my eyes to living again. It took about 4 months to start to feel really well and within 6 months I felt and looked pretty normal with little or no sign of what I had been through. I still suffer from organmegaly with my liver but at the moment its manageable. I take anti rejection medication in the morning and before I go to bed but other than that very little else. I work full time as I always have and having fantastic support from my employers meant I never needed to give up work. I used to turn up every day despite being extremely ill unable to eat solid food or walk without a rollator and being sick all day and having only 67% lung capacity due to my massively enlarged liver and kidneys. I used to spend most of my working days asleep in the first aid room and that continued when I was on dialysis. Anyway long story short I did home hemo 5 days a week then ended up back at hospital doing 3 days as I moved out of family home and went into tented accommodation and I wasn't allowed to have my machine plumbed in. I continued to administer my own dialysis SBD never used lidocaine as you need to feel the needle going in. I would always recommend you do your own as whilst the technicians are great at what they do they cannot match the care you give yourself. Even at the hospital train to do your own. Anyway my friend offered me a kidney and she was absolutely adamant and would not be swayed. She was extremely fit anyway but became even more motivated to look after herself leading up to the op. The op went very well and Helen left hospital after 3 days and refused all the pain relief she was offered. 3 weeks after she walked 12 miles home after her hospital check up because she felt like it. I struggled s bit as I developed a blood clot in my kidney and as my bladder hadn't been used for a long time it had shrunk to the size of a walnut do recovery wasn't easy. I went back to work after 6 months and couldn't wait to start living life. I got a double promotion within a few months and embarked on  very busy social life not wanting to lose a minute. I appreciate everything every day. I know everything could have been so much worse and I've now got a second chance to do everything I want to do and live life the way I want to. Everyone comments on my energy and passion for life and even people who don't know me say I'm infectious and draw them in. I have very little complications, maybe a few digestive issues every now and again from transplant meds and anti depressants even though I don't feel I need them. Otherwise I feel very healthy and committed to taking care of this wonderful gift from my friend. I am note thank happy for any of you to join me on Facebook if you want to see me living life or just want a peek at how I look now. I still can't believe it myself after looking so bloated and sick for many years. My Facebook name is Julie Rogersmoore and if I can be of help to anyone please let me know.

Replies

andreacha
andreacha

Thanks so much for your update, Julie. May you continue to enjoy life to the fullest. Kudos to your friend who was so giving and unselfish and obviously wanted to make you better. I\'m sorry your husband was such a coward. You are better off without him. Will follow you on FB.
rogerjd
rogerjd

Thanks and reach a I\'ve accepted your friend request. And thank you for prompting me to come back to this site. xxx
andreacha
andreacha

So glad you updated your status and everyone knows how well you are doing. Blessings for a wonderful future.