Day 6, Sunday at 1:30pm

She's Home

It's great what a couple plasma transfusions and 24 more hours of recovery have done for Alyssa. Even last night, we would have bet against her leaving the hospital today, but here she sits, playing with her two dogs, Quincy & Lili. The crit came back up to 30 and the swelling in her leg has dramatically decreased. The doctors felt that the emotional uplift that she'll get from being at home will help speed along the healing process. She needs to return tomorrow to the clinic as an out-patient for tests and monitoring, but that should only be for about four hours, then back home.

It's amazing to see how far she has come in just five days. She is feeling so much better and the kidney is going strong. Much to her relief, peeing is like riding a bike, even though she hadn't done it for year, she just slid onto the seat and away she went!

Jennifer is still pretty sore, but doing well at home. Last night they held a birthday party for her daughter Leana, who's best gift was having mom home again.

Again, thanks for all your support. We can't tell you how much it's meant to all of us. We are going to try and get back to a "normal" life over the next few days. I'm taking Ryan back to Oswego this afternoon and Deb & Mark will be back to work and Kyle back to Athena tomorrow and Lyss...she'll be enjoying everyday, so grateful for the incredible gift that Jennifer has given her and bound and determined to return to as a normal of life as she can.

Labs: (for you Heidi)
Red Blood Cell...........3.2
HB................................9.8
HCT.............................30
Platelets.....................199
GFR.............................59
Creat....................... .90
Potassium.............. 3.6
BUN...........................10
Phos........................... 1.4

dd

Day 5 - Saturday at 12:30pm

A Few Setbacks

As is to be expected, Alyssa has had a few new challenges to face over the last 15 hours, which will require that she continue to stay in the hospital for at least one more day. Last night, they noticed swelling in her right thigh area, which was accompanied by pain when Lyss walked. With blood clots at the top of the "Watch List," she was taken down to ultrasound to determine if there was indeed an issue here. Thankfully there wasn't, but some additional lab work did raise some other red flags. Her crit had fallen to 20 from a normal of 31, which will require a two unit blood transfusion today and her potassium had also fallen to an unacceptable level also requiring a transfusion. She is very uncomfortable, with pain and nausea issues, so to put it mildly, it hasn't been a very good day so far. She is fine with staying another day as she knows that they can best care for these issues right here in the hospital.

There is good news to share, the catheter is out and her kidney continues to pump out those fluids!
dd

Day 4 - Friday at 8:00 pm,,``

Laps Around Nurses Station

Nicole & Marie Playing Hairdresser

Very Good Day!

All has gone well today. The new kidney has continued to put out copious amounts of fluid, the lab reports were good, and she is no longer receiving IV fluids. Laps around the nurse's station are becoming easier as she regains her strength and it's T-Minus 3.5 hours until the dreaded catheter is removed. As of midnight she will no longer be attached to any machines! Incredible how far she has come in only four days.

We're still hoping for a Saturday morning discharge, which at this point is dependent on good morning labs and her ability to prove to the physical therapists that she is mobile enough. While it will be really nice to have her home, we are smart enough to realize that if she's not ready that she should stay a little longer. On the other side, everyone knows the worst place to be when you're sick is in a hospital due all the nasty "bugs" that run around here.

Debbie was under the weather today and had to stay home, so it's been a difficult day for her not being able to be with Lyss. She is feeling better tonight and plans to be part of the evacuation team if Lyss leaves tomorrow.

Following are some of today's key labs:

BUN.............. 12
GFR.............. 59
Pottasium.... 3.5
Creatinine.... .89
Glucose........ 110

Talk to you tomorrow
dd

Day 4 - Friday at 11:30 am

Good morning - all still going well. Last night was relatively quiet with Lyss getting some much needed rest. Urine output has remained at a high level, allowing the doctors to begin weening her off all the extra fluids that they are pumping into her. It also means that she can rid herself of the catheter at midnight tonight. Talk about your "midnight madness," the catheter has been Alyssa's biggest issue following the surgery, so this is really good news! She has begun the countdown!

Still don't have the lab results from today, but will post as soon as available. We're off now for a walk around the halls. If we can build up her strength, a Saturday discharge may be in her future.

dd

Transplant Day 3 - 1:30pm

It may not be gourmet quality, but Alyssa just had her first solid food, post transplant. Spaghetti was the main entry with a side of rice. Another milestone reached.
dd

Transplant - Day 3 11:15am

Jen has loaded up the flowers and checked out of the Inn. She's now on her way to her daughter's birthday at school.

Thank You Jen - we love you!

The Deffs

Transplant - Day 3 10:30am

What a Difference 24 Hours Makes!

Lyss is doing so much better, both physically and emotionally following a pretty good night's rest. This morning she took her first lap around the nurses station, and had very little discomfort in doing so. Our goal is for three more round trips today. She is still on a clear fluids diet, but hopes that this will change soon. Her biggest complaint is the catheter, which will probably be staying with her for a couple more days.

She will receive her third dose of Soliris this afternoon at 1:00 pm. Later today I'll write a post that details what the Soliris does and its important role in Lyssa's future.

One lab result: Creatinine...............1.1 - absolutely phenomenal - even the doctors are blown away.

Finally, but most importantly, Lyss just looked at me, and with the biggest smile said "I'm so glad I did this - I feel so great!" "It's been a long time since I felt like this."

Please pass the tissues!

dd