Now that we are lucky enough to have an approved donor (THANK YOU!!) we are all preparing for surgery at the end of October! Six weeks away and not a minute too soon. Mike is starting to really feel the effects of kidney failure. Knowing we have a plan makes it easier, but the exhaustion, mild (hopefully it stays that way) nausea, headaches, restricted diet, modified work schedule, interrupted sleep... a generally compromised system... it's all starting to wear thin. For some PKD patients it's much worse, but either way it's no picnic. So, we are counting down the days.
What is this going to be like for all of us? Mike and I are trying to get our ducks in a row before the surgery - paperwork, insurance, arrangements with work, preparing for complications but hoping things go smoothly and within days Mike is feeling better than he has in YEARS and within weeks he's out and about. The donor and his family are doing the same things only when the donor comes out of surgery he's going to have gone in healthier than most of us could ever hope to be and he's going to come out hurting - poor guy! But he's tough and if everything goes as it should he also will be out and about within weeks. We are all looking forward to both of them returning to their regular lives!!
Many of you have asked what you can do to help and if all goes well there isn't really much we need - just more good wishes! You've already done so much, supporting us in our search, offering to be tested, being tested. We were overwhelmed. If things don't go as planned or as expected, for either Mike or his donor, we may well ask for help, but until then, I'll do my best to keep you up to date.
For now, that's all I have. Still feeling so lucky to be headed towards the big day and in the best of company :)
With love and gratitude -
Samantha