Renal Transplant 2013

Well, when all is said and done, we can safely say that my kidney transplant (the donor being my own mother) went very well, and my recovery went better and quicker than the renal team had expected, and this caused other doctors- interns, surgeons, nephrologists and medical registrars alike- to scratch their heads in wonder as the standard amount of time in hospital for transplant patients (donors and recipients) is three weeks.
By day 8, I was almost crawling the walls, which was becoming more and more apparent as one can take only so much of an isolation ward. My mother, luckily for her, was released on day 4.
When, finally on day 10, I was given the OK to be discharged and go home, I was happy but at the same time I was sad to be leaving everyone.
And so, my period in isolation began....
I got to where I was to be in isolation where my family were waiting...
So begins the first stage of my new life. A life full of constantly worrying about hygiene and germs due to lack of immune system, as well as keeping the new kidney healthy by exercising and eating healthily as well as drinking constantly throughout the day and passing water whenever I feel the need.
There are medications that I have to now take daily- this is not strange to me as I have been on medication all my life. So, as I see it, it just means another cocktail of pills to take.
Another thing that has to now happen is attend regular transplant clinics and see my referred Nephrologist.

Isolation consisted of staying away from public spaces and avoiding crowds as well as people, babies and small children who may be carrying germs. If it was absolutely necessary to go into a public space, I had to wear a mask (the kind that surgeons wear when performing a procedure) which would prevent me from breathing virus's that may be flying around or coming off other people. Ideally, however, I was to stay away from all that (in other words stay indoors).
Soon after this period, began the Semi- Isolation stage, which was a bit more relaxed. This stage enabled me to go out into public spaces, such as restaurants, provided it wasn't too crowded and I carried a mask with me, and if my outing took place during the times at which I was to take my medication, I was to carry it with me, should it become crowded.
This stage lasted for about a month, after which I was released from the care of the doctors in Cape Town and referred back to the Nephrologist in KZN.

Once I had arrived back in KZN, I informed my nephrologist and the transplant team that I was back. Life's routine pre- op resumed although the 'New life, new rules' mentality was ever- present.