Transplant - Day 2 - 7:00 pm

Bad Start - Good Finish

What started out as a bad day is ending on a much higher note. Nothing seemed to be going right for Alyssa following a sleepless night. Her catheter was not working properly; her meds weren't arriving on schedule; her i.v. line went bad; she needed to have a PIC line surgically implanted in her arm to better regulate her drugs; her blood pressure was elevated; she had to have an ultrasound requiring pressure right on her new incision site; she was out of her room for several hours for tests, and, well, it was time for an emotional breakdown and a good old fashion cry. She has been through so much over the last 20 months and it kind of all came to an emotional head today. Things started improving around 5:00pm and have continued upward since.

AND...the kidney is still pumping out large amounts of urine and her lab reports are very good. For the medically inclined, here are a few key numbers:

Test.............................Pre-transplant..........................10/27
GFR...........................................3................................................. 18
Creatinine...............................17.2.............................................. 3.2
BUN.........................................45..................................................15

These are amazing changes and show that we are headed in the right direction. She's sitting up at the edge of the bed for a short time and having her first post-op food - broth and jello. Most importantly, her smile is back and she's talking up a storm. All-in-all she's about where the doctors had hoped she'd be. They have a plan and it's going as drawn-up.

On the other side of the unit, Jennifer is recovering nicely. Although still very sore and a little groggy, she is up and around and on solid foods. The plan is to have her discharged tomorrow at 9:00 am so that she can go to her daughter's birthday party at school. She'll be spending the next few weeks at home to help get her strength back.

dd

Transplant Time - # 7 10/26 - 5:30 pm

It's Working!

Back in the Room

Alyssa has arrived back in her room. She actually feels pretty good, certainly better than poor Jen does right now. This is pretty common as the transplant recipient is so used to feeling lousy, that just by adding a kidney and the resulting benefits that come with it will make a huge difference in how they feel. She's still drifting in and out but when awake, she is so excited and very expressive about what has happened today. Thrilled to have the surgery behind and ready for the next step. What she (and mom & dad) need, is a good nights rest. We are all going on 40 hours without any real sleep.

Tomorrow brings a new day filled with hope and optimism.

Let's Rock!
dd

Transplant Time - # 6 10/26 - 3:15 pm

She's out and doing great! Alyssa made 150 CCs of urine in the first 30 minutes and has been going strong ever since. She is now in recovery and expected to remain there for another two hours. Dr Marroquin, Alyssa's lead surgeon, said that he was very happy with how the surgery went. He said that Alyssa has very small veins and arteries, so she will need to be on extra blood thinners over the next few days, but that all else went very well. Poor Dr Marroquin... he quickly found out what a DeffenHug is. We thank him and his his team for their skilled hands!

I'm normally not at a loss for words, but am at that point now. This has been such an incredibly emotional day for our family. While we know that this is just the first mile in what will be a marathon for Alyssa, we can now say that the "race is on." Thank you to all of you for your words of encouragement and especially for your prayers. They mean more to us than we can say. We ask that you keep them coming in the days and weeks ahead.

aHUS is still enemy #1 to us. With our wonderful team of doctors, the drug Soliris and your support, we will win this battle!
dd

Next update when she arrives back in her room tonight.

Transplant Time - # 5 10/26 - 3:00 pm

Jen is out of recovery and back up on our floor. Our hero is in a great deal of discomfort, but says that she absolutely made the right decision and, like the rest of us, is looking forward to watching Lyssa regain that quality of life that left last year.

We haven't told you much about Jen, and that's only because that's the way that she wants it. She is an intensely private, religious and loving person, who just doesn't understand why such a big fuss is being made about what she is doing for Alyssa. She felt that it was God's calling for her to undertake this incredible act of kindness; and that it's only natural to want to help a loved one.

We have always known that Jen was a very special person. She came into our nephews life several years ago and immediately showed through example, the value of church and family and gave him a sense of pride and accomplishment that had been missing in his life...You might say that she also brought Michael a better quality of life. As he always says, "I'd be lost without her in my life." Together they are raising their son Louis and their daughter Leona. She has always handled with grace and poise all the obstacles that life can throw at you.

We all want to say that we made a difference with our time spent here on earth. Jennifer, while still in 20's, and by just being herself, has already touched and improved more lives than most people ever will.

Thank you Jen for helping us take the most important of steps in helping Alyssa get her life back. May others use your incredible act of kindness as a guiding light for all of us to find a way to help others.

The Deffs will never be able to thank you adequately for what you have done for us. We can tell you how much we love you and that we will try to "pay forward" what you have done for us.

Transplant Time - # 5 10/26 - 1:00 pm

Just heard from a member of Alyssa's surgical team - still about two hours to go, but everything is going as planned. The best news is that the surgical team has done what they call the "Pee Dance" which is what they do after the transplanted kidney makes it first urine. Another great milestone that we've passed! So get out your favorite dancing shoes, pick a great tune and join us in a rousing version of the "Pee Dance." - Gentlemen, please remember to lift and lower the seat!
dd

Transplant Time - # 4 10/26 - 11:00 am

Jennifer has finished her surgery and came through with flying colors. Her surgeon, Dr Berry reports that she gave Alyssa a beautiful pink kidney, which is now being placed into Alyssa. Jen will be in recovery for another couple hours and Alyssa's surgery will continue for two to four more hours. So far so good! If this kidney squirts as much fluid as our tear ducts have it will be a successful procedure.
dd

Transplant Time - # 3 10/26 - 9:00 am

Jen & Alyssa in PreOp

Both Jen & Alyssa are in the OR. Jen has been in for about 90 minutes, with Alyssa following an hour later. The wait begins and anyone that knows me knows that I am not a patient person. We are very confident as they both are in good hands.
dd