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Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation
and its impact on both the mind and body depends on the individual. In most
cases, the patient
is able to start exercising within several days of the operation.
Due to my post-operative complications,
I was bedridden for a significant period of time and not able to
exercise as vigorously as I would have liked. The rehabilitation therapists
Erika and Nancy patiently worked with my
arms and legs in order to regain my strength. My condition gradually improved
and I eventually was able to go home.
Besides physical
improvement, rehabilitation also includes mental well being. It
is important to not only exercise your body, but your mind. Most
patients read or watch television. In my case I needlepoint. I
started soon after graduating law school as a relaxation
technique. It became increasingly significant throughout the later
stages of PKD. During hospitalization and after my discharge, I found
it to be mentally stimulating and the end results quite gratifying.
Home Maintenance Advice
Prior to leaving
the hospital, I was given extensive information concerning home
care, medication, signs of infection and rejection. I was told to
closely watch my blood pressure, temperature, weight, food intake, and
waste output.
I was prescribed
a number of medications. The most significant was Prograff and
Cellcept, two immunosuppressive medicines that are given to prevent
rejection of my transplanted kidney. Since a splenectomy can affect
immunity and infection, I also needed to take two types of
penicillin.
It was most
interesting to learn that the most frequent
causes of rejection is the failure on part of the patient to regularly take these
medicines as prescribed by your doctor. I will take them for the
rest of my life.
Going Home
It was great to
be back in my familiar environment. Since I had not fully regained my
strength and my wounds had not completely healed, a nurse and therapist
visited my home for the first month or so. Exercising is an
important part of recover. Spring had arrived and it was wonderful
taking walks around the neighborhood. In addition, the physical
therapist taught me exercises I could perform at home.
I started
regaining my weight and strength thanks to exercising and Rita’s
fine home cooking.
In the beginning,
I was frequently in contact with Kim Phillips, my kidney
coordinator, who monitored my progress. I routinely visited the
kidney clinic at Jefferson Hospital
for examinations and blood work. The creatinine level, which would
reveal how my transplanted kidney was functioning, was back to
normal levels.
I was readmitted
to Jefferson Hospital
over Memorial weekend when I started experiencing a fever and high
blood pressure. My wounds had not totally healed and infection was
a distinct possibility. My blood pressure medicine was changed and
I was given medicines and fluids intravenously. Within three days I
was discharge from the hospital.
To date, my only
other setback occurred in September when my creatinine started
rising. It is not uncommon to experience symptoms of rejection
anytime after transplant; It does not necessarily mean loss of the kidney.
In my case, a biopsy was performed at Jefferson Hospital
and it was determined that Rita’s kidney was working perfectly.
After changing one of my immunosuppressive medicines, my creatinine
level returned to normal.
Recovery
Recovery is a
very personal thing. Webster’s Dictionary defines recovery as “to
regain a normal position or condition.” Others may define it in
economic terms- ability to return to employment, or in athletic terms-
your first round of golf.
I believe
recovery has a broader meaning. It also relates to age, medical
and physical condition prior to surgery, complications during and
after surgery, and the specifics of your own medical situation.
While I have not
yet played a round of golf or returned to work, my physical and
medical condition has dramatically improved since the operation. I
may never resume all activities; however, I feel blessed to have a
loving wife who was willing to donate her kidney and provide me with
a
second chance at life.
Acknowledgements
There are
numerous professionals who helped me through my medical journey. My
nephrologist, Dr. Larry Weisberg, provided the medical advice to
extend the life of my kidneys. Dr Anthony Sherman, our family
physician, helped expedite Rita’s preliminary tests. I thank
Kathleen from Quest Diagnostic who always helps my blood work.
The nurses,
rehabilitation therapists, and support staff at Jefferson Hospital
had the experience and patience to help me throughout my
hospitalization. Kim Phillips, my kidney coordinator, continues to
monitor my condition. Social worker, Cheryl Boyd, helped
expedite my paperwork and nurse, Karen O'Neill, answered all my
questions about my medicine regiment. There were many interns, fellows
and doctors who really gave me the care and kindness that made the
difference; To name a few, Dr. Donald Defoe,
Dr. George Francos, Dr. Timothy Martins, Dr. Atul Rao and Dr.
Keith Kuenzler, I extend a special thanks. Finally, Dr. Ratner
and his team of surgeons and nephrologists were the best. They all
possessed the same professional qualities.
To my law firm,
Cooper Levenson, your support is greatly appreciated. I am
proud to be associated with such great lawyers and compassionate
people. In particular I want to thank Lloyd Levenson, Ken Calemmo, Cathy
Ward and my fellow employees in the Cherry Hill, New Jersey office.
Rita’s employer,
Mike Hellekson from Vital
Computer Resources, Inc. , a computer network company, was kind
enough to extend her leave in order to care for her ailing husband.
To my friends in
the Governor’s office, and at the
New Jersey
Conference of Mayors, thank you for your calls, cards and
flowers. I must also thank our neighbors for maintaining and keeping
a watchful eye on our house.
I want to thank
my friend Harmon Bryen who always makes me laugh. Thank you Rick
Mroz, Tim McDonough,
Vernon Talbertt , John Callahan and Bill Levine for your advice and friendship. Thank you Sam Bitonti,
Pat Sullivan and Sandy Wiggins for your kindness.
This operation
brought me closer to my children, Kelly and Bryan, and for that I am
grateful. I love you both and proud of your accomplishments.
It is difficult
to give enough thanks to your immediate family for all their caring
and concerns throughout the process. I need to give a big thank you
to Gloria and Victoria, Rita’s mom and sister. Being nurses,
they were my “in house” advisors and constant companions during my
post- operative period. While my parents (after my father
died, my mother remarried a wonderful man, Nathan, who had two
children from a previous marriage, Shelah and Joy) had little
knowledge about the procedures, they were always supportive and
loving. Along with Shelah, my parents were daily
visitors, during good and bad times. Joy, who lives in
Chicago, visited, called, and kept in contact. Thank you
Cousin Lewis for your love and advise.
To Richard, my
brother, I owe special thanks... He religiously traveled 100 miles
twice a week to visit me at the hospital. Being an experienced
marketing executive, he also edited the website narrative, and for
that he gets a giant hug.
There is little I
can say about Rita that would adequately describe my feelings.
Besides saving my life, she was my “soul mate” from the beginning. I
would not have survived this ordeal without her love and dedication.
Rita also
designed this website. Without her resourceful talent, my story
would not have been told.
Rita and I are
grateful for the insight from of other donors and recipients. If you
have any questions or comments, please contact us at akidney@comcast.net. |
