Lately, I’ve been in this challenging dilemma regarding Kirby.  I’ve been wanting to stay healthy as long as I can, avoiding the decline in anyway possible, while at the same time hoping that my GFR gets low enough (to the number I need for transplant qualification) as quickly as possible so I can get it over with.  I don’t want it to happen, but I want it to happen quickly.  Well, I finally got my wish.  My GFR is now at 18 (it needed to be 20 or below to qualify), and my doctor is sending me the application to apply to be listed.  It’s with good timing too, since I have been starting to feel the first signs of sickness.  Almost every morning, I’ve been having the “morning sickness” many women feel when pregnant…extremely nauseous and vomiting.  A lot of times, it goes away by the afternoon, but sometimes the meds I have to fight the nausea don’t help, so I just have to push through it until I can eat again.  I expected this to happen, and prepared myself for it, but I still hate going through it.  I’ve also been having a lot of episodes of passing out due to low blood pressure.  I know it’s due to the diuretics they have me on to keep the fluid buildup down, but again, not fun.  So, when my doc asked me today if I was ready to start the process of getting listed, the answer was a resounding, “hell yes!”  

I told him I was aiming for the kidney/pancreas option this time, and he feels strongly that I should be good for it. Crossing my fingers I get approved!  We also went over my options of dialysis, should I need to do so.  He was very excited to hear that several people have showed interest in donating!  (For those who are interested, I’ll have more info for you coming soon.)  So, the next step after applying is to start the evaluation where I’ll have to go in for multiple testing and background checks.  Yes, they even have to check to see if I’m a criminal or am bat-s**t crazy!  For anyone that might get a call from him asking, lie through your teeth…I’ll pay you later!  

While I’ve always entered each of my health “situations” with hope and faith that it will pull through, for some reason, I’m feeling especially good about this one.  I know my docs are good ones, they’ve proven that to me over the last 15-ish years multiple times.  I’ve also been seeing some very positive feedback on other transplant blogs regarding other patients’ outcomes.  For one, I didn’t realize it was so common for people to have to get multiple (2nd and 3rd) transplants, and now it seems people are talking about it right and left.  Maybe I just didn’t notice that before, but that made me feel much better about my own situation.  Second, I’m also reading more about the longevity of some patients’ kidney/panc surgeries.  One woman even claimed hers has lasted 25 years and counting!  I was not expecting that for a pancreas!  All I’ve ever been told is how they don’t last as long as other organ transplants.  Lastly, knowing I have several options for a possible living donor really brings light to the situation as well!  So, yeah, so far the future is looking more promising!  

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Things I’m thankful for today:

1. Hat Creek Burger.  I recently learned that not only are their fries and tater tots gluten free-safe, but basically their ENTIRE menu!  AND they just introduced onion rings!  I now have a fast food burger/chicken nugget drive-through restaurant I can eat at for a quick bite!  For all GF’ers out there, IYKYK.
2. It’s spring!  I love being surrounded in my back porch by beautiful, fresh smelling flowers, so it’ll be nice to get that started again!  Now, if we can do something about these ridiculous tornado watches all the time…
3. I’m thankful that my friend Kristan made it through her surgery ok this week.  She had a very very rare tumor removed and it was successfully done with smiling pictures to prove it!  God is good.