Monday, March 14, 2011

Two Month Post-Transplant

Today, it has been 2 months since Cleos' successful kidney transplant. Oh, what a difference a few weeks make in recovery time! Cleos' doctors are really pleased with his recovery and how well he is doing overall. His bloodwork is starting to level out and they haven't changed dosages on the meds for a couple weeks now. We are both feeling so good and have lots more energy every single day. We are both able to do pretty much what we want, except lift over 10 pounds for another couple weeks and he is still to avoid large crowds and obviously sick people. Cleo will meet with his boss later this week to discuss plans for him to return to work in the next couple weeks and he is looking forward to that and getting back into a normal routine.

We have been walking every day unless it's raining and have found new routes that include some wooded areas, so it feels more like hiking than walking. The change of scenery is nice and we really enjoy doing it together. Neither of us have ever been runners or even joggers, but we do walk at a pretty good pace and it's just good to get fresh air and activity. We've started doing things outside now that the weather is getting nicer, but we're glad the grass is still dormant and won't need mowing for at least a couple more weeks :)

It's pretty funny, but Cleo was saying to me the other day that most days he can't even force himself to take a nap now! In the weeks leading up to the transplant, it was nothing for him to take 4-5 naps a day...and I'm talking full on, can't get a rouse out of him naps! I am so grateful that his new kidney is working so well and giving him "new life".

Although Cleo has never asked "why me" or dwelled on the crappy hand life delt him in the 18 years since he was diagnosed with Goodpastures' Syndrome, that 6 month nightmare and the lasting kidney damage it caused sort of robbed him of the prime years of his life. While most people who know him didn't ever realize the change, we both did. Although he's no longer a young 35 year old man, we feel blessed that he now has the energy and stamina that was missing for so many years and we plan to take full advantage of that. The drs have told him not to fly for awhile, but have given reluctant permission for us to fly to SLC in May for our son Kyles' wedding and we are very much looking forward to seeing our family then. Any other travel will have to wait for awhile, but we've become pretty patient and know that the day will come when we can also do that.

Life is really good and we look forward to spring and baseball season and summer and hot, humid days and good times with family and friends and on & on & on~~~