To start off with… Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope everyone is getting their fill of sweets and roses today! I’m sure I’ve got a taco or two waiting for me somewhere, I mean it IS Tuesday after all. hee…

For all of my friends who have been wanting to hear some updates, I have updates. I heard back from my Nephrologist yesterday and we had a good conversation about what we’re going to do, at least for the coming year.

1. As far as the cancer is concerned, he did some further testing and the results didn’t show whether it truly was or was NOT cancer. Since he did not see any masses in my last ultrasound, he’s going to treat it as if it’s benign and just keep an eye on it to make sure there are no changes. I should be having another ultrasound in the next few months. So, for now, we are going to continue to cheer Kirby on to make it as far as he can go!
2. I had an appt with my Cardiologist and he said my heart is doing great! He was informed of the fact that I’ll be getting another transplant and is already in discussion with my Nephrologist regarding preparations. Since they are both on the Transplant Committee (and both worked with me in my previous transplant), they both have my history and agree that I would be an excellent candidate for our 2nd round.
3. They have been talking up the option of having a Pancreas/Kidney transplant this time. I was turned down for the pancreas last time because of my heart issues, but they have said that restrictions have changed and they are going to try again for me. It’s a bigger surgery with more risks, but there are a few benefits that I’m considering:
   • I would be free of diabetes for however long the pancreas lasts (if it fails, I just go back to being diabetic… no other major changes as the original pancreas will still stay).
   • I would be able to get a cadaver donor quicker (1.5 years vs. 4 for just a kidney).
   • Being diabetes-free for those years can help extend the life of the kidney.
4. I don’t have a ton of tests to take as they already have my full history of records, but I will have to get a cath done with my heart again if I end up going for the pancreas/kidney option.
5. Lastly, he confirmed that this downturn was NOT due to anything I did… it was just the natural decline of a transplanted organ and the meds I need to take to keep it alive. There were absolutely no signs of rejection! He said that I have been a model patient and have done everything right… to keep doing what I’m doing. It’s still frustrating to think that there was nothing I could’ve done to prevent this from happening.

As far as being listed, I can’t be approved for a transplant until my GFR is less than 20% (the GFR is a measurement that tells you how well your kidney is filtering. A normal range falls above 60%. Anything below 15% is failure.) I’m not sure what my current rate is right now, but we’re going to have monthly labwork to monitor where I stand. He’s said that they are going to do everything they can do to try to get this done before I have to deal with dialysis. I will let everyone know where I am after my next lab results get in. Right now, I’m not listed yet. Which is good. 🙂

The one piece of news that kind of hit me hard was the fact that I should prepare to go through this every 10ish years. Sigh. I truly thought last time it was going to be a one and done thing. Even when I got the news about THIS one, I figured it would be end of story, however, it doesn’t look like longevity is in the cards for me and I get to look forward to going through this over and over. Of course, I hope that I can be an exception to the rule (as some people tend to be) and that this time around my kidney will last my lifetime! It does happen! And THAT is what I’m praying for.

I still have to consider my options as there are many, thanks to the few of you who have stolen my heart and offered to get tested to donate! Should I go with a cadaver or living donor? Get both from the same cadaver? Get the kidney from a living donor and the pancreas later from cadaver? Do I even bother with the pancreas portion? As I’ve said before, I will never ask for anyone to donate. It is such a big and personal choice to make. It still baffles me and chokes me up to think that there are people who are willing to give a piece of their physical body to keep me alive and around! It is a gift that I don’t think could ever get enough thanks from me!

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Things I’m thankful for today:

1. I’m thankful that the doctors I’m working with in the transplant team KNOW me. I’ve been with them for almost 14 years and they almost feel like family. I could tell that they shared in the pain I felt when hearing this news, and I believe them when they say they are going to do everything they can for me. I know it’s their job, but I’d like to hope that there’s also a personal bias in there too. I’m in very good hands.

2. I’m not sick…yet! I know the day will come when the harsh effects of this will start to hit me, but luckily, I’m still in good health and have my usual energy to do what I’ve got to do! I can still work. I can still hangout. I can still shop! I’m still good! Most of what I’ve been dealing with the last few months has been mostly emotional, and that is getting better as I see the lights at the end of the tunnel (yay solutions!).

3. I work from home. Even though I’m not dealing with any of the effects from before (and I pray I don’t this time), I’m thankful that if I did, I will be able to handle it in the privacy of my home vs. a very open and public office (like last time).

4. Garrett’s Popcorn. My sister bought me a huge tin of Garrett’s popcorn (my fave) to cheer me up and it’s going to last me a nice, salty, long while! Yum….