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So much has happened!

Hello there, sorry it's been absolutely ages! It’s unbelievable how time whizzes by and so much has happened! Where do I even begin!?

I’ve had my new kidney for more than a year now!!! And, after several months of going to clinic once every three weeks, my visits have gradually been moved further and further apart, which is always a good sign!

In June 2011 I started a new job, working for a company called Awards International. I thought that as I had a gap on my CV because of the dialysis - and that I’d spent all that time in hospital recovering afterwards - I would be virtually unemployable.

However, I was asked to go to an interview and duly attended. I was interviewed by a very nice woman who was the managing director of the company. She understood my situation and was willing to take a chance on me. I started work full time with no hesitation and have loved every minute of it!

I’ve since progressed in my role and am now Business Manager – still loving what I’m doing.
Health-wise, I’m doing good and just need to work on losing some weight! I visited my dialysis clinic before Christmas and they couldn't believe how well I looked!!!

To anyone doubting transplantation or worried about it, or thinking that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, please take me as living proof that there is hope.

I’m now a completely different person than when I was first diagnosed with kidney failure. I still can't really process everything that’s happened – it was the darkest time of my life, but now is the best time.

Promise to keep you all posted more regularly.

Take care all of you
Love Catherine x

Clinic Time!!

Since being discharged from hospital I have been attending the renal clinic twice a week. 

My creatinine had been running high so it was being constantly monitored and on the verge of needing a biopsy.

I have had my staple out for 2 weeks now and the wound - "the train track" I call it!! is looking much better now.

On Monday (22/11/2010) I had some great news. My creatinine level had come down from 130 to 109!!!!! 

I was told I was able to be dropped to the once a week clinic. Plus my stent and my dialysis line would be coming out in December.

So my recovery is going really well. The new kidney is working really well and I am feeling really good. Even my eyesight has improved a little.

So all in all my future is looking so much brighter.

New Kidney, New Life!!

It has been quite a while since my blog but I have just got home from hospital!!!!
All my plasma exchanges and campath treatments went really well before my transplant - I only had a couple of reactions to it.

Andy went down for his operation at 7.30 on 6th October and I went down at 9.30.
The operation for both us was a complete success. Andy was in HDU for one day and then transferred to a ward.
I was in HDU for 4 days and then was moved to the ward.

Andy did really well he did have a chest infection after the operation but it was treated very quickly and he was discharged on the sunday.

Unfortunately on the Tuesday I started to experience acute rejection, one of the antibodies rebounded and that sent my creatinine levels up. I was transferred back into HDU and stayed there for nearly a week. I was going through all kinds of emotions and really hit rock bottom as I truly thought that I was going to reject the kidney but the doctors were very reassuring and said they were convinced that they could reverse every bit of rejection.

I was put on another cycle of plasma exchanges and my creatinine level started to fall again.
I was being pumped so full of fluid and had to drink (and still have to drink) 6 litres of fluid a day. This meant I am so overloaded and lets just say I am glad I havent got rid of all my big clothes!!! It will eventually go but it was so uncomfortable.

Eventually my creatinine level was low enough for me to be moved back to the ward. I had to have 10 extra plasma exchanges and by 14th October the antibody had gone and my creatinine level had come right back down.

So yesterday (24th October) I was finally discharged from hospital. YAY!!!!

I have to attend the renal clinic twice a week.
It is so brilliant not to have to go to dialysis. I havent had dialysis now for 3 weeks and I can honestly say I do not miss it!!!

So now it is a case of keep drinking the fluid and resting and looking after my new kidney.

A huge thank you to my husband, Andy for donating me his kidney. A big thank you to all the staff at the Hammersmith hospital on Peters ward, De Wardener and the Auchi Dialysis unit.

Here's to my future!!!!!