Kidney Transplant Day- A day in my life. Leaving dialysis behind after dealing with kidney failure.
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- Transplant day- A day in my life.
I recently had a kidney transplant and those kinds of days are definitely unique. There is so much going on not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.
The day started finishing what could be my last dialysis treatment. I didn't know how the day was going to go. What I did know is that today's surgery was going to change my life. It could mean no more dialysis, feeling better, more energy, or as with any transplant surgery. Rejection, complications, and even death…everything was on the table and the worst part is that this time, I was dragging my little brother with me.
When we walked into the pre-operation waiting room, I felt a sense of community. Every person in there besides their single companions is there to have major surgery just like us. My surgeon's words came into my head many times while I was waiting to be called in. I was hopeful and trusting that everything was going to be ok.
In the pre-operation room. After I stripped down, I was promptly connected to a heart and oxygen monitor. The nurse placed IV,s in my arms. He took some last-minute blood samples and asked tons of questions. Countless Medical people who were going to be in my surgery, when in to introduce themselves. The anesthesiologist, interns, assistants, nurses, doctors, and finally I saw my surgeon. Seeing her was the best part.
Eventually, I was alone. With a bunch of cables attached to my body. There was no doubt, it was happening. I was getting a kidney transplant. That moment that I wished for so many times. All those hours that I spent on the phone with the doctors and the insurance company. The countless trips to San Diego to do my workup. All that led me to that moment and all I could hope then is that everything will work out.
I was in the room waiting for about two hours. My door was open with a curtain only closed halfway. At some point, I saw my donor being taken away. I assumed he was being taken to the operating room. Seeing that made me very emotional. I thought about what he was doing for me, the risk that he was taking. I felt guilty for even accepting his kidney. I also thought about what it all meant for me. I just hoped he truly knew that it meant so much to me.
45 minutes after they took my donor, multiple people came into my room all at once. I knew it was time. My anesthesiologist approached me and said, it's time to go. She said, I am going to give you a cocktail, Just to take the edge off, and then once in the operating room I will give you the full anesthesia to put you to sleep. When she said that I thought I was going to be somewhat conscious until I was in the operating room. That was not the case, the last thing I clearly remember was her pulling the needle from my IV. At that point, I was gone.
I kind of woke up in the recovery room. My husband was allowed only 10 minutes with me due to covid restrictions. I was awake but completely unconscious, I have no recollection of any conversation I had in the recovery room. I was on lots of drugs and in a lot of pain.
I am glad I was not very conscious to hear that at, that moment, they didn't know if my kidney was working and also to realize that because of that, my Peritoneal Dialysis catheter was still on my abdomen. I knew very well what that could mean..and knowing that they would have been terrible to hear.
At about 8 pm, I was transferred to my official room where I fully woke.
My husband said that the surgeries went great. That Julio was doing pretty good and that now they knew for sure my new kidney was working!
My creatine decreased from 11 to 9 up to that point. (creatine is a measure of how well the kidneys work, the lower the number the better the job they are doing at filtrating waste in the blood). 11 to 9 wasn't great but it was a start.
Sleeping the first night was almost impossible. I had nurses coming in and out every hour. Either Taking vitals, giving me meds, checking my blood sugar, Taking blood samples, changing IV bags, and stopping random and constant beeping noises that the ivy machine makes. But that is what they have to do. Organ rejection can happen and is best if they catch it right away,
As painful and tired as that first day and night were, I was happy. Decades guessing what things will look like after the surgery. I was now living that moment I felt so much uncertainty about, and so far, everything was ok.
In my memory that was the shortest day, I can remember, mainly because I was unconscious for most of it. It was also the day I learned many lessons. Some about Courage, life appreciation, hope, unity, possibilities, and love.
Facebook page @Wendycopeland2.0
Instagram @wendy_cpld
I am getting my kidney transplant Feb 16th 2022 and watching your video is encouraging. Thank you.
That is amazing! Congratulations 🎉
Best of luck to you ❤️
Congrats to u madame.. I just received my transplant on my birthday 5/22/2022 i was on dialysis for 5 years.. Now I'm enjoying life and all it has to offer.
That’s amazing to heard!!! Congratulations 🎉🎈 how is everything going??
And I am sorry I just find this comment.
@@wendycopeland2.0 everything going great with my new kidney... as long as i dont have to see the inside od dialysis ever again I'm cool with that. How's everything with u wendy?
@@kcck2442 I am with you on that!! I do not miss dialysis for sure!
I know ckd it’s a difficult road to navégate. It makes me happy to know you are doing good. Stay strong 💪🏼💚
I am a Kidney and Pancreas transplant patient! I had mine 6 years ago and it has been a journey! Love your videos! ❤️
I can imagine Krystle! Congratulations to you 🍾 I hope the best years are yet to come! 🎉🙌🏻
Thank you very much ❤️
Waiting for my second transplant. Had my first at 17 and was fine until 48 . Thanks so much.
I had my transplant in May 2021 after 10 years of PD. I got the call at 16:00, "would you be interested in a kidney"? They told me no eating or drinking and I would get the call to come in. 23:00, the call came in and off I went. Surgery was at 06:00 and went for close to 4 hours. My surgery had some complications but once that was settled and I got home and the kidney woke up, I peed 3L a day for 11 days. I also lost 17 kilo. Most of that was water that PD didn't pull out and some of it was due to the horrible hospital food. The weirdest thing in hospital was the phlebotomists that showed up at 04:00 to take the blood draw for the docs that do their rounds. I think they get the weird ones to pull that shift or at least with a strange sense of humor. That helped a lot.
Congratulations Wendy. I had my kidney transplant two months ago. Thanks God I'm doing very well.
Thank you so much! Congratulations to you as well!! A transplant has changed my life. I am sure it will change yours for the better. 💚
Wow that’s amazing I have kind of the same story. My sister wanted to give me her kidney but I rejected her because she had five kids. I was looking out for her and she was trying to cover me. I didn’t want her to later on be in dialysis because they also take a risk. But later someone ended up taking her life away. You are so blessed to have a brother like that. Who gives just for you to be happy. 😢
I am so sorry to hear that…. 😔😔💔
Taking someones kidney is definitely a very hard decision. I am very thankful and happy that my donor is doing pretty good so far. 🙏
😊😊
So sorry,
It's a play of fate.
Nowadays almost nothing can happen to the donor(we believe).
Sorry to say 'you did mistake'.
Don't worry, this is what others telling me always.
But i always worrying.
Beautiful story! I’m so happy you found the other side & so grateful for your brother.
Thank you. I feel very lucky and thankful for everything that has happened so far.
Amazing. Thank you so much for posting this!
Thank you Wendy ..you are so strong .. your videos are motivating and I pray you keep getting stronger
Thank you so much, it means a lot ❤️💚
Beautiful video!!! Best one so far!! I am so proud of you for telling the world about your story! I am so thankful everything went so well! Always here for you, every step of the way
Thank you! It makes me happy you were there for such an important day. So thankful to have you in my life.
I am learning so much as I go. 🤗
Nice job, I think this is your best video yet
Thank you! I am trying my best to learn as much as I can as I go.
I appreciate the ongoing videos....just over the one year mark on transplant and am looking at IVIG infusion due to some ongoing rejection complications.....definitely a marathon and not a sprint. Keep the content coming.
So sorry to heard that. Do they say what is causing the rejection?
And you are totally right, all we can do is take one day at the time.
Wonderful
Beautiful and pround
Thank you so much Isabel! It means a lot.
Really very tough time for kidney failure patients,,,my nephew suffering CKD 5,,i am from india,,LOVE You dear❤
So nice
Thank you for sharing your story . I have kidney disease and may need a kidney one day .
Hello 👋 Wendy! Congrats 🎉 on your kidney transplant! I received mine on 8/11/20
Thank you Jonathan! Congratulations to you as well. How is it going for you?
@@wendycopeland2.0 15 months post and doing great 👍
@@HopewithJonathanPodcast that is great to hear. I hope everything continues that way. Best of luck!
@@wendycopeland2.0 thanks and you too! 🙏💚
Hi sister firstly how are you 😊 how is your health.recently i watched so many videos of your and also i inspired by you.
I got my kidney transplant in 26,nov,2021. I had two dialysis because my creatinine was 7,8 before transplant.I got symptoms since childhood not hungry, vomiting, increasing heartrate blood pressure problem and so on. Since childhood, i almost felt like i didn't grow up as much like my brother cousins and nephews. After 2 years, i feel healthy and i do exercise, running as well . I get some problem if i dont look up such as weight gain , hair fall and among others. However, hair fall is the biggest problem that i have because just after transplant, i got to see hair damage and also my scalp is being seen. Now,my medicine's are tacrolimus 1,1.5. oh i forgot to tell im only 18 years old but i just trying to be physically and mentally healthy.my mother was a donor.lastly, i just want to say thank god for everything and also the important thing is that in life,what our parents brother, sister do for us nobody can do. Thank you 🙏
Good for you nice story
We just found out that my husband is going to do dialysis soon because his kidneys are working 10% and he’s going to be on a big waiting list for a kidney transplant from a donor
If we can find one 😥
wow im happy for you.
I am currently on PD and havnt been able to find a donor yet 😞
Thank you, I apréciate that. 💚 don’t lose hope but also don’t be afraid of sharing your need for a kidney with others when appropriate. There are many people who are not just willing but that want to donate. Best of luck to you 💚 I really hope you find one soon.
Hang in there Jennifer. It will happen for you. I’m blessed it’s taken 2 years and I’ll get mine on Feb 16th this year but 6 months ago I never thought it would happen.
See if the local paper will run an article about you needing one or maybe a local radio talk show.
In the meantime just keep praying and chugging along. It will happen!
Consider newspaper, radio, social media, local news stations
I got a deceased persons kidney and it worked right away I was out the hospital in three days. But I did have acute kidney rejection in my second month but my kidney is back to working normal again.
Thank you for the video I’m getting a kidney in 5 days 3-12-24. Im excited and nervous
Congratulations! So so happy for you. It will change your life just like it did mine I am sure. ♥️
@@wendycopeland2.0 ❤️❤️
@@wendycopeland2.0 did you have a really hard time sleeping before transplant?
@@wendycopeland2.0 I got my kidney and I feel like a million bucks
👍
Pray for me i am in still que.
inshallah you will get soon just keep praying
Madam my transplantation done but i am very poor , everything is too much cost to buy ,for maintaining my new kidney very hard ,😢 i am facing too much financial problem i lost my job also please help me madam from your side...
Hello sis. Can i ask about the health of your brother today 🤗 i am planning to donate my kidney to my elder brother. hope you notice me sis.
Hey girl! 😊 of course, my brother is doing pretty good so far. He’s lab work is in range for everything. I always ask him about his energy levels as well and he says he feels the same as he did before transplant. His health is so important to me and I always check on him. I hope that helps.
What you are doing for your brother is amazing. You are a true hero. His life will change for the better because of you. 💚❤️
@@wendycopeland2.0 Wow! THANK YOU SO MUCH dear. your reply gives me motivation and inspiration 🥰 It helps me to be strong. Take care!
Malay kidney with Johnny check
আমি আমার একটা কিডনি বিক্রি করতে চায়
I m also kidney patient stage 5
I have donar but but I don't have money
Don’t need money I got my kidney transplant free of charge thanks to disability insurance.
What country are you in?
@@wendycopeland2.0 United States got my kidney transplant at Emory university Hospital in Atlanta
@@kennethdaniel1516 👍🏻 I assume Jafar is in a different country.