Post Transplant Update

It's been just a little over 2 weeks since Cleos' successful Kidney transplant and we are living, breathing proof that Science, sprinkled with little miracles do exist!!! I can't even begin to tell you how grateful we are to the entire Transplant staff at Piedmont Hospital...they are all Rock Stars in our book! We feel so blessed to be living in a day and time when things such as this are possible and to live so near a city with an amazing transplant center.

Cleo is getting stronger each and every day. His energy level is much better than before surgery and his color is great. He said he didn't realize he looked bad until people started telling him how awesome he looks now. He is still having slight headaches, which have diminished from migraines and continue to get better as they are able to lower the levels of anti-rejection meds. He is also having pretty bad tremors, another side effect from the meds, but hopefully they will get better as well with the lower dosages of meds. His staples (17 in all!) are starting to really bother him, but they are holding firm to not taking them out until 3 weeks! He was able to wear jeans by wk 1, but they now bother the staples too much so he's back to sweats until they come out! He will have the stent removed on Feb 7th.

I'm feeling pretty good. I pulled some muscles in the right abdomen right after surgery and it was pretty painful. I don't tolerate pain meds well so have been on just tylenol since day 2 after surgery and so I just thought I needed to endure the pain. Dr. Wolfe saw me at about 10 days post op and gave me muscle relaxers and within 12-24 hours I was a different person. I now only take them at night before bed and feel pretty good during the day. I was released to drive on Friday and since we are now "flying solo" that feels great!

Jarod and Lindsey were absolutely a "Godsend" leading up to and during our surgeries. Logistically speaking, we could not have done this surgery without them here. They were with us before, during and after the surgeries and took great care of us. They made sure we both got home safely, had all Cleos' prescriptions and did several airport runs to pick up family for us. I understand they were really good to update family and friends with emails and I know that meant a lot to the family. They will also be here for us in the next several weeks and months should we need anything. We love you both so much and appreciate all you've done for us.

Ashley (Cleos' niece) came out ftom Texas to be with us for the first week after surgery. She was AWESOME to have around. I think she got the worst week but she never complained and was a huge help to us. We loved having her here and appreciate Matt giving her up for a week to come help out. Tom and Cindy (Cleos' brother & sis in law) came from Texas for week two and I think it was nice for Cleo to have another guy around. They were also a huge help to us...driving us to ATL twice (once in a terrible rainstorm that had me in a panic!) and cooking for us and just being a support for us. We love you all and can't ever say Thank you enough for helping us and being a great support for us.

We know that our other kids and family would've been here in a heartbeat and we love you all more than words. Your support, encouragement and prayers made all the difference in the world to us both. It's very hard at times to live so far from our family, but we always know that no matter what, they're always there for us. This is one of the emblems to help support and promote Organ Donation...a cause very dear to our hearts.

This picture makes me cringe (I look hideous!). This was about 12 hours after surgery and I was able to walk down the hall to Cleos' room.

This picture was taken Sat night (day after surgery). I had a rough day...reaction to pain meds and then vomiting, so Cleo was able to come down to my room and hang out! He had such a smile on his face that whole weekend and I wondered if he was having any pain at all...lol! I think it was a combination of steroids and true elation at the success of the surgery.

Cleo will definately be "incognito" for awhile as they want him to stay away from large crowds for awhile (especially during flu season), so other than our daily walks and visits to the Transplant Clinic, he will be homebound. Good thing it's winter and not hunting season...LOL!!!

I will try and keep the blog updated as best I can in the weeks and months to follow. Love y'all.