Susie Sassafras Checking in- Day 1 recovery

Today, after spending the night in a Marriott residence inn suite hotel on the Magnificent Mile provided gratis during your first few weeks of recovery, checked in at northwestern's Kovler Transplant Center at 8:45 central time. They pumped over 3 liters of fluid into me. I could not hold all the moisture and had to request a pee pan because my kidneys were cranking which I guess is a good sign. Saw the Head surgeon today. He saw me all of two minutes but he had them pull my final Jp drain. I reminded him that I had met him when first evaluated in may 2008. He asked what took me so long! I responded a low creatinine level that mired my meld in the teens until my lesion finally grew big enough to get exception points. Did get a great picture of him and his assistant for my personal journal. After blood tests, was sent obverse to radiology for ultrasound to look at my velocities??? It is the second us the new liver has had since finding its new home with me last Wednesday morning. I have to report at 9 am tomorrow for another fun filled day.

Susie, sounds like you are doing great! The ultrasounds are undoubtedly to check the bile flow. At Mayo, I had to have 3 clear ones before they would take the drain out. I went home with the drain for a bit, but it was taken out after the 3d clear US.

Thanks for staying in touch! Have been thinking about you.

Hugs,
Connie

Sassy

Wow

You are doing well

Get rest between all the going to and from your fun filled days

Our best to you for a continued slowest recovery

Hugs

Carol

so nice to hear good news!!

Susie, I wish I had thought to tell you to get an abdominal binder before you were discharged. You might still be able to get one or an Rx for one. Once your drain and stitches come out, and you're healing nicely, it's a good idea to wear it, especially when doing physical things. There is a tendency to experience an incisional hernia (or 2) following transplant. One way to prevent this is with a binder.

Hugs,
Connie

Great idea Connie!

The older members here, who have followed my story, know that I've endured about 5 hernia repairs...all from surgeries. I had one repaired at the same time as transplant, but developed another when I got an infection in my midriff when the incision opened up. It was repaired, but again opened up and the mesh had to be removed. So the hernia is back and I look 9 mos. pregnant. I have to get a skin graft in that area and the date for that has not yet been set. Then I'll wait 6 mos. to heal before I can get this hernia repaired. It never ends. I have thin skin. I did wear binders, but not so much prior to the hernias. Lesson learned.

If you can't find an abdominal binder with Velcro at Walgreen's, go to a medical supply store.

Hugs,
Connie