Kidney Transplant Update - with LDP

[Kdog]

A few weeks ago I put in a prayer request for a successful kidney transplant January 24th. I am happy to report that the transplant was a complete success. Thank you for your prayers, God was listening. Mirna (the recipient) and I (the donor) are both doing very well. I came home Saturday (3 days after surgery) and Mirna comes home today (6 days after surgery). My surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Washburn, did a great job. He really made me feel good about the surgery. When they rolled me into the OR, I remember looking at him and I could see he had his game face on. He was all business, and I really appreciated his approach. This event has been in the making for a while. I feel so good now that it finally happened. My wife and I were both tested to be donors last summer. I turned out to be blood compatible and a good surgical candidate. I think most people (including me before I got tested) don’t realize that you only need to be blood compatible and healthy enough to go through the surgery. You don’t need to be related or be the same ethnicity. Once I accepted that this was God’s plan for me, the process was much easier. I was not nervous about the operation. I just kept telling myself to trust in God, he would take care of me. Guess what, he did. Thankfully, I had the operation, and not my wife. She is an MD and has taken care of me every step of the way. I told her, if our roles were reversed “she would be screwed”. I would have no idea how to take care of her. I feel very blessed to have had this opportunity. I don’t think I am special for doing this. There are plenty of people who have done this, and would do it if presented the opportunity. Although I am still a little uncomfortable, I feel really, really good.

The surgery was a hand assisted laparoscopic procedure. The two small incisions are where the camera and an instrument were inserted. The longer incision is 4” long, and that is where the surgeon stuck his hand in and pulled out my kidney. They had to fill up my abdomen with CO2 in order to work. Unfortunately some gets trapped inside, and it takes a while for it to work its way out. This is my biggest problem now.

Thank you again for your prayers!

[picturechick]

I can't even begin to tell you what an awesome thing you have done. God Bless you and Mirna. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Prayers sent.

[SneakyPhil]

God Bless you man!

[Legdog]

Radical

Tell us more about Mirna. How did she come to need a kidney?

You are a stud.

[Shadow]

What an awesome thing you did and the amount of sacrafice you gave. I don't think I could be man enough to do that for a total stranger, family maybe. I'm kinda whimpy when it comes to surgeries since I have had two on my knee and it still ain't fixed.

[Texastaxi]

Originally Posted by Kdog

... I don’t think I am special for doing this. There are plenty of people who have done this ...

Yeah, but it's like those political surveys ... I don't know ANYONE that's participated in one!

You did a GREAT thing, no matter how you feel about it. Being humble is just another one of your great attributes.

Take care.

[Deerhunter30]

Thanks for doing this. Prayers continue.

[Teuf]

Unbelievable act of courage and character.

[Devin]

Unbelievable generosity, Kevin. Glad it went so well.

[Kdog]

Legdog - Mirna has been in kidney failure for about 3 1/2 years. She is my wife's best friend, but she is my friend too . I have known her for about 2 years. Evidently her kidneys never fully developed. There is no way to know for sure why, but they think she may have had an infection as a child that damaged them. The first warning sign for her was high blood pressure. When the problem was first diagnosed she did not believe them. Other than her kidney problems, she has no health issues. That makes here a prime candidate to recieve a kidney. She is doing really well with her new kidney. She has to be very careful with her meds and such, but I know she is going to take care of herself.

you must not have seen the post I wrote about you last nite Kev. I am glad yall are doing good. See ya soon
BK

[Lockpro]

That's man stuff right there!

I don't know you, but I respect you.

[Bowwiz]

Amazing Kevin,Get well soon and God Bless!

[shotgunsmitty]

Dude....nods of approval all around.

So are y'all three gonna make Bownanza?

[Eric4x4]

That took alot of guts to do what you did, great thing to do for another person. You just made the world a little better.

[bwssr]

good to you are BOTH doing good!

[Burnadell]

Very good job!

Originally Posted by Eric4x4

That took alot of guts to do what you did, great thing to do for another person. You just made the world a little better.

I think they took some of Kev's guts couldn't resist..sorry Kev..call if you need anything

[KHo]

What an AWESOME story. Thank you!