We woke up at 4:00AM the morning of the transplant because we needed to be at UC Davis Medical Center by 5:30 for our scheduled 7:30 procedure. Phillip and I both showered, dressed in sweats and made sure we had everything packed for our hospital stay: slippers – check, robe – check, magazines – check, toiletries – check. Along with my in-laws we piled into the car and left at 5:00AM.
All set to go.
Fifteen minutes later we arrived at the hospital and walked in the front doors. My mom was waiting there for us. She decided to stay on the hospital campus in a hotel so that she could walk from my room back to hers while I was recovering. We also met with a cameraman from KCRA Sacramento who was there to film the start of our journey. KCRA generously helped us spread the word of how important organ donation is and to demystify the process of living donation.
Our first stop was admissions where we consented to treatment and received our hospital bracelets, one for each wrist. Phillip joked, “is this in case they cut of one hand?” To which our admissions representative informed us that his joke has long been used and overused. It still made me laugh.
Checking in at admissions.
We piled into the elevator and headed for the third floor to the surgery check-in and waiting room. Phillip and I each had a staff member waiting for us to take us into surgery prep. They confirmed our names, dates of birth and asked if we knew what we were being treated for. I should hope so!
Up to floor 3 please.
Phillip is leaving for pre-op.
In surgery prep, Phillip and I had adjoining cubbies where we each had a nurse to get us ready for surgery. We stripped down, put on lovely hospital gowns and climbed into bed with the most awesome blanket warmers ever. I am perpetually cold, so I especially loved the air-inflated healing cushion that goes under you blanket to keep everything super toasty. I seriously need one of those for my house.
My IV was started in my left arm without a hitch. Phillip got at least three attempts before they caught a vein and started his. Then the wait began.
It never hurts to smile…especially after your IV is set.
For a still unknown reason, our surgery was scheduled for an hour later than we originally thought. This meant that we got to the hospital and hour early and had lots of time to wait. Our family was brought back into the prep area to wait with us. I eventually snuck over to Phillip’s side where we could all be together.
Phillip with his mom.
A long morning of waiting.
At around 7:30AM we started seeing a parade of people: OR nurses, anesthesiologists and our surgeons. We had a few last minute reminders and questions, but for the most part felt ready to go, well, as ready as one can feel before a kidney transplant.
Final meeting with Phillip’s anesthesiologist.
Moments like this are funny. I went in with a certain set of expectations that it would be emotional, or sentimental, or deeply moving. Yet, there is so much going on, it is hard to reflect on what is about to happen. I did cry once, which made both of our moms cry. It was a soup of tears from gratitude, trepidation, a hint of guilt and lots of love. It was the moment that I released control over the process. I knew that the outcome was no longer in my hands. Yet, in that same thought, I also felt extremely cared for. Most significantly by my husband who was about to give me the most amazing gift, but also by our medical team who getting ready to perform a miracle.
Yes, I’m having a moment.
Last words for KCRA.
Phillip got wheeled into the operating room at 8:30AM. We shouted a quick “love you” just as Phillip was getting his “forget this entire experience” anesthesia cocktail. I wouldn’t go in for another hour. The donor always gets a surgery head start; however, before the kidney is removed, they get the recipient prepped so that the kidney isn’t without a home for long.
Phillip goes into the OR an hour before me. Notice the blissful smile on his face? Yep, he had just gotten something g.o.o.d. in his IV.
Now I’ve got both moms with me as we wait for word that everything with Phillip is going well and the OR is ready for me.
This wait was harder because I knew that I wouldn’t go into the OR unless everything was OK with Phillip. It was. At 9:30, I got my own relaxing IV shot and was wheeled away as well. The last thing I remember is being asked to move onto the operating table. And fade out.
Here’s the KCRA segment from that morning: http://www.kcra.com/news/kings-executive-gives-wife-kidney-both-doing-well/-/11797728/22338310/-/11662er/-/index.html
I’ll pause here for today. This is definitely looking like more than three posts. Thanks for reading along.