There is nothing more exciting and nerve-racking as waking up in the morning and realizing that something new is about to happen that could change your life. Literally. When I woke up on the morning of my transplant, I knew that this was going to be a different experience than my first transplant and boy was that an understatement! Every single step of this process was different. What made it even more special was looking across the pre-op hall knowing that someone else was about to undergo the surgery with me and he had his own thoughts and fears/hopes going through HIS mind! While I was excited at the thought of MY new beginning, I was terrified that something could possibly happen to Glenn – that he might have complications, fears, anything. He’s doing this VOLUNTARILY and this was not a small thing! Overall, though, the feeling for both of us was very positive and the theme song (at least in MY room) was the title of this blog. I truly did have a piece of a friend being placed in me. 🙂

There were definite complications (which I’ll get into in a separate post), but the surgery was successful and I’m proud to say that the kidney is doing GREAT and all numbers are looking amazing! Glenn was able to go home a few days later (with all of us lecturing him to take it easy after trying to be Superman once he got home…hee) and he seems to be doing really well!

We’ve even created the new name for Kirby’s cousin – CB! Glenn mentioned a movie character that he really liked named Chance, and it kind of morphed into 2nd Chance, to Chance the Bean, to 2nd Chance Bean, to CB! CB is now part of the family and has been fighting the fight to adjust to his new home. I’ve started the post-transplant clinics and while all is good, the docs are also telling me that I need to be drinking 3 liters of water a day, which I’m REALLY working at doing. Do you realize what a change that is when I was just recently limited to 2 cups/day on dialysis? LOL! It’s definitely an adjustment!

So, now I’m finally enjoying the ability to gulp down my fave drinks, sleep in past 4:30am with no dialysis, and look forward to seeing what my new future brings! The next chapter of my life has now begun!

For Financial – Help Hope Live – https://helphopelive.org/campaign/27559

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Things I’m thankful for today:

1. CB and Glenn. Without Glenn, I wouldn’t have CB and without CB, I would still be in a dialysis chair wishing I could be doing anything but sitting in a dialysis chair!

2. Baylor’s amazing nursing staff. While I praise the surgeons and doctors who did and are working miracles on some of us, it’s the nursing staff that really go above and beyond. The care and professionalism they showed me while there was outstanding.

3. On that note, I’m thankful for all the doctors and surgeons that made the transplant a success.

4. My family. In our family, if anyone is in the hospital, we make it a habit for one of us to stay with them. This is definitely one of those times I’m very very grateful that they were there. I realize not everyone has that kind of support and I can only imagine how difficult and lonely this experience would have been without them!