My transplant

Today we had our last appointments and said goodbye to some of the staff and doctors.  Matthew spent the morning trying not to throw up, and I had minor surgery on my chest.  They took my chest port out and that was cool.  Last time I had it out it was a crude process in an exam room at my nephrologist's office.  This was a production.  I was in actual surgery.  Don't get me wrong, I was nervous as I tend to be in awake surgeries, but I like knowing what they do.  And they let me keep my tube which was awesome.

This was a great transplant.  Not only did I feel I was in good hands at University of Iowa, I felt safe.  I haven't felt safe in a hospital in years.  I hate confessing that.  As you all may have read earlier, I had some anxiety issues from being at my local hospital and that was totally unnecessary.  Just about every visit there had resulted in a mistake that costed me a lot.  Don't get me wrong, I have some great doctors in Oklahoma.  But the hospital experience makes all the difference.

I had forgotten what a good hospital can do for your soul.  I trusted these doctors and staff members.  They were fantastic.  Being in a hospital isn't easy.  You are at the whim of a system that isn't always the most efficient for you.  You wait around a lot and get frustrated with things out your control while you are very uncomfortable and sometimes in agony.  Many people can't handle waiting around when they are perfectly healthy.  But when you know everyone around you is doing their best, it helps.  And it helps you get better faster.  Hell!  I can't remember the last time I was admitted for only FIVE DAYS!  What a breeze!

So I am grateful to the University of Iowa for their professionalism and skill.  They are a great team and I would choose them again if I had a chance.  The made us feel welcome, appreciated, and even special.  And my kidney is kicking ass.  My creatinine is 0.9!  Unbelievable!  I couldn't have asked for a better outcome at this point.

This has been a long journey for Matthew and I.  I have fought and fought for this for a long time.  I have suffered from this disease for more than 14 years now.  And I knew I needed a transplant three years ago.  I know it would have taken even longer if I hadn't gone to Iowa to learn everything about aHUS.  Now I feel like aHUS is just a thing about me that is under control.  As long as I have Soliris, I will be ok.  More than ok!  I will be amazing!  And Matthew and I can live a healthy life full of whatever we want.

Now if only I could poop...