Mayo Clinic, the miracle hospital!

[Susan]

I know many of you have read The Klein's blog and are following Jess' recovery. It is indeed a miracle! My husband and I received one of the miraclous gifts from Mayo Clinic in Phoenix as well, yesterday. Ron has been on kidney dialysis for 3 years and on the kidney transplant list for 4 years. Yesterday morning at 8:30 the phone call came that we had been waiting so long for. "This is Mayo Clinic calling and we have a kidney for Ron. Please call us asap." Ron looked at me and the expression on his face was one of disbelief! He called the Transplant Coordinator and was told to come to the hospital immediately. I had called in sick to work, so was already home. We jumped in the car and drove the short distance to the Mayo and checked in. They were so busy that they did not have a bed immediately so we sat in the lobby till 12:00 and then went up to a room. They started prepping him for surgery and finally the kidney arrived from San Diego! It was expected to be there by 1:30 but arrived at 4:00 (darn that CA traffic!). He was in the operating room by 4:30 giving them just time to biopsy the kidney to see if it was good, and started surgery at 5:00pm. The young female surgeon came out at 7:30 to tell me that they were finished and it was a very easy surgery! The kidney immediately started to work as they placed it in Ron's body. Now came the long wait while he was in recovery. Finally at 11:30pm he was moved to his room and was talking and in good spirits. I am sure the morphine helped with that! This morning he was up walking with the physical therapist early and will probably come home on Sunday afternoon. It is amazing that for a surgery such as that, he will only stay four days! Please say a prayer for the family of the man in San Diego who had an aneurism and was an organ donor. They gave my husband the gift of life that we can never repay.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

That's great news, Susan. We were all pulling for him and you.

[Susan]

Ron is home! Tired and sore, but so very glad to be home! He has to go to dialysis a couple of more times until the kidney is functioning properly, but this morning the labs were good. Kidney function is improving daily! This week will be busy with dialysis Wed and Friday and Doctor appts at Mayo on Thursday. Thank you all for the prayers and good wishes! It has helped tremendously to know I have a family of well wishers here! Ron is very appreciative as well! :)

[Susan]

Well, Ron didn't get to come home today. It turns out the donor kidney was a little inflamed. They assured us that it was normal from the kidney being on ice (this one was 19 hours, it can be no more than 32 hours). The docotr today gave a good example....if you have a living donor, the kidney goes from warm body to another warm body and will begin to work immediately. In the case of Ron's kidney, it was on ice and in transport for 19 hours. It is like you having your hand in ice water for 19 hours. It thaws out slowly before it begins to function normally again. Everything is working except the filtration. He explained that in some cases it may take up to two or three weeks for the filtration to become normal. Ron will have to have dialysis for a few more times possibly, unless the labs show that the kidney is working. But the good news is HE COMES HOME TOMORROW! Now we just have the 3 times weekly checkups at Mayo...lol. Thank you all for all the support and prayers. Let's focus on getting Jess home to Janet!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Warm hugs and doodley kisses to both of you. We miss you on The DRRC and your wit and humor. Hugs sent across the miles from NJ to you. Lynne

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so glad for you. I know someone on the waiting list and it is scary.

[Joy Williams]

Susan, what wonderful news! I know you and Ron were so excited when you got the call. I'm glad he is doing so well after the surgery and hope he will continue to do so. Sending lots of well wishes as well as doodle kisses your way and will include you and Ron as well as the donor's family in my prayers. Please keep us posted on Ron's progress.

[Beverly Wright]

Susan,
I am sorry that Ron did not get to come home today........but it is better not to come home too soon and have to go back!! Hugs and doodle kisses.
Bev

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Susan, I'm sorry to hear that Ron won't be coming home today, but I will be sending T & P that he can come tomorrow. You're right, he should be there as long as he needs to be. Hugs to you both!

[Susan]

Oh, and it was great to meet Janet! She is a strong lady and everyone's support helps her. She is fighting for Jess and will pull him through. She is incredibly sweet and talented, but then we all knew that from her blogs!
I hope she will remember that she can call me if she needs someone other than family to talk to!

[Susan]

They told Ron he can't come home today. The creatinine level is still too high, so possibly tomorrow. The doctor said a cadaver kidney takes a little longer than a living donor kidney to start working properly and we shouldn't be disappointed. I think Ron was a little, but I told him however long it takes to get well is how long I want him to stay! Luckily we live close enough that I can take a break and come home to let Lola outside while Ron naps. Although, I must say she is getting spoiled looking for treats (today was a greenie) everytime!