Post transplant update

Well, Arrived home from Birmingham QE last night after about 2 weeks since transplant. Thankfully, the coordinator was able to give me very basic details of my donor/benefactor/hero, I feel so humbled.

All went well, a decent 5 hour operation and now the ultrasound couldn't be better, there was a time when expected early rejection required some alteration in the meds but that was soon sorted.

Kidneys are running a bit dry so I have to keep forcing a water down.

Having a little trouble going for a wee since catheter removed but that's getting better.

In a hell of a lot of pain when stab drain gets blocked, walking around and gentle massage helps but of course if at night it's worse.

So overall, Things ain't so bad and I feel so lucky and happy. Pam, the boys and my great friends and ex colleagues are doing a marvellous job of supporting me.,and thank you so much for your kind words of support, you guys are a superb bunch.

Heard Helen Sharman (the astronaut) on the radio saying how insignificant we all are... That is soo wrong, we are all significant beyond belief especially now when I think of those who have died and selflessly enabled others (like many of us here) to live once again.

Much love and best wishes to all you guys.

Mike

[AyrshireK]

Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery.

Katie x

[liveronmymind]

Such Wonderful news to hear this and you're doing so well. I am pretty sure that it would be of great comfort to the donor family were they to read your post. It's good you have been told some of the details. Not only do people like yourself live again but for the donor family at least a small part of their loved one is still alive if that makes sense.

Best Wishes to you and your family

[Jahida]

So happy to hear from you! Well done for doing so well. Gosh the pain and the problems after transplant but it does get better. I bet you feel heaps better. I bet you came across all the lovely nurses that I miss!!!

How are you finding your appetite? Are you able to eat and drink OK? The water drinking part is hard. I've never been great at drinking water much. I tried for a few months to drink over 2litres but it was crazy. I was waking up every few hours at night to go the toilet and it was disturbing my sleep. I try to drink it with squash but maybe between 1litre and 1.5litre.

Also about your pain, it does get better. The first few months are excrutiatingly painful. I remember after 4 weeks of transplant I couldn't stand. I had a hematoma but for some reason I was I'm absolute agony and crying. It still hurts but I can move much better now.

So happy for you though! We aren't insignifant. Every life is significant on this planet regardless of race and religion. We are someone's world....especially our parents' world and our children's!

Keep on doing great!

[Hidden in reply to Jahida]

Hi Jahida,

Birmingham QE certainly is wonderful, the nurses are lovely and I do miss the place, yes, I really do feel better already. The pain though, only once I remember trying to eat my breakfast, sobbing cause of the pain whilst a young nurse held my hand, thinking that maybe, maybe I'd have been better without, immediately I felt so ashamed. I'm always a really positive guy so I can only blame the meds. Sorry to admit that on here, it was just a moment of weakness and It's past now.

My appetite is fine although now I prefer slightly blander meals as opposed to the spicy food that I used to crave.

So sorry that you're still suffering with the pain.

Mike x

[Jahida in reply to Hidden]

Dont apologise. I felt the same too. I was bend bound for 6 weeks after transplant. I had complications too after and I kept saying that I wish I hadn't had the transplant because it is such a difficult road. You shouldn't feel bad because these are natural feelings. It isn't everyday that we have a transplant. But it is such a life changing surgery

You'll feel all well soon!

[RodeoJoe in reply to Hidden]

Yes the meds! Hi doses of steroids will make you very emotional. Were you not warned? I remember when I got back home, I'd spent a few days watching TV when a program about the holocaust came on the history channel. I was sobbing like a baby!!!

[jeqe2000]

Good to hear from you Mike. I'm glad you're making progress. Get well again man.

[RodeoJoe]

Hi Mike,

So glad you're doing well.

The whole experience for me can only be described as bitter sweet. Being that Ill and close to death did have a profound effect on me, as did the generosity and compassion of all involved including my donor.

Astronauts often have an epiphany, as they look down and see the entire human race on a seemingly tiny speck of a planet in the infinity of space. However in that infinity of space as far as we know that tiny speck is the only place life has ever existed. Each life is of a major significance in that infinity!

[Hidden in reply to RodeoJoe]

What a nice reply from you Joe, you explained my analogy far better than I could, so thanks for that.

Strangely I feel like a fog has been building in and around me for a few years, but has suddenly cleared, leaving pure clarity and with it, a rebirth of strength, life and a yearning to learn and create. A profound effect indeed.

All the best mate.

Mike

[RodeoJoe in reply to Hidden]

Yes I can definitely identify with the fog lifting. I had trouble thinking in a straight line before, but literally a day or two after transplant the fog had lifted. It was an incredible feeling, like I'd got my mind back. Before I wasn't confident, I was paranoid and couldn't even get my head around reading the daily papers. Now I'm doing all sorts of online Physics and Maths courses and passed various software engineering exams.

Quite a relief to find out I'm not as stupid and lazy as I thought.

[grumps]

Well done Mike keep strong, keep well and enjoy the rest of your life now.

I'm sure the pain will be a part memory soon.

Donar families are brave brave people and our thoughts and thanks are imessurable

Onward and upward

Regards to you and your family

[art4949]

It is humbling...I hope your recovery from the operation goes smoothly and you can begin to spend quality time with your family and friends once you have healed. It is a gift and we pass it on through our love and compassion for those around us.

[retwos]

Really chuffed for you fella now it's time to take things easy , I was in the same place with the stab wounds but it will pass , used to be worse in the morning , one step at a time mate , try n do a little walk maybe down the hall n back , but not to much , your angel gave you the greatest gift , I haven't asked about my doner yet but I will as I'm need to write a letter to the family n explain how grateful, humble I am n let them know how I'm doing , I bet your smile is getting bigger everyday , noticing the changes in your body/ self as you know it will take time my friend but you will get there , when I was really struggling there were people on here who really helped more , good luck with your recovery Mike n all the love to you n your family , your new life has begun God bless the person who gave you such an amazing gift x

[Hidden in reply to retwos]

Hi Retwos, I think our stab wound pains are worse in the morning because it's not draining when lying down and also the pain killers have long worn off by then. Went to the clinic today and they are really happy with me, but it was busy and not many wheelchairs around so I had to do a lot of walking, knackered now.

They told me that my donor was DBD, a lady of about my age. Crucially, she carried a donor card and her family really wanted for the donation to go ahead, even wanting to know a little about me, I am so looking forward to writing that letter.

You're so right, my smile (inwardly and outwardly) is just growing and growing.

All the best to you and yours.

Mike x

[Bolly]

Great news and like retwos says, baby steps.

[Abby14]

Glad you are doing well