Kidney Interactive

Blogs

Christy Millar

In 2006 I was studying my degree at Liverpool University when I became unwell. My appendix burst and after many many complications my kidneys failed and I ended up on dialysis. For many months I was very unwell and would not be considered for transplant. In 2007 my fiancee Steve offered to donate, not actually expecting it to happen! Luckily our blood types are compatable, and although our tissue typing isn't great it can be controlled with drugs. In 2008 we decided to go back to University to do our Masters degrees and put off the transplant until now, so I could get stronger and have a year without any operations! The whole time I was at University I dialysed three times a week for 4 hours at a time (HD). Now I have passed my degree and am awaiting my transplant in a few weeks.

pre op worries

25 Sep 2009

I have always had low blood pressure. When my heart failed it shot up and I have been on blood pressure tablets ever since. Now the week before the op they are worried my blood pressure is too low! They have refused to take me off the tablets for ages and now I have been told to stop them. I am angry they have only just realised, and if it delays anything I wont be happy. We have been measuring my BP every few hours at home and it is generally around 100/60. It has to be above one hundred or they worry. My pre op assessment just happened to be in the morning after dialysis (when I always feel rubbish) and after had trekked around Liverpool. Then it was 80/60! I need to keep an eye and hope it stays stable. If I keep fluid on after dialysis, hopefully after a few days my tablets will wear off and my BP will rise.

Otherwise the pre op went well. We signed consent forms, and went through the risks and timings. Steve goes in first at about half past eight, and then I get called in about 3 hours later. They are going to be a stressful 3 hours! Apparently I will be back on a normal ward by 5pm. Just hope the next week goes well!

Messages and worries

18 Sep 2009

I have been receiving lots of lovely good luck messages, and the ones from people I don't even know are the most reassuring. It's good to hear positive stories from people who have gone through similar things and come out the other side smiling! On a pessimistic note, my neckline is playing up. My heart failed in 2007 causing my fistula to clot up, so this neckline has been going for nearly 2 years. I just hope it can hold out for another 2 weeks!

I can tell that I am worrying about it as I am chewing my lips to shreds!

Yes!!

11 Sep 2009

We got the date! Thursday 1st October, only one week later than we were first told. Excellent. Now mum and dad can book the day off work and we can sort stuff out. First on the list is clothes for the hospital that we can throw away afterwards and antiseptic wash so I can scrub myself in the shower in the days leading up to the op. I do not want to catch MRSA again like last time I was admitted! Nightmare!