This weekend I had to do me pee experiment which wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be. The only tricky part was going to the movies and needing to use the toilet. I came up with the brilliant idea of buying a drink and using the bottle because I did not want to start all over again by missing some of my urine. After the movie I made my way to Clicks and bought a vitamin water to use the bottle and Marc and I chugged the bottle down as quickly as we could. This turned out to not be a bad idea and I could carry on testing till Sunday morning instead of having to start all over again.
After finishing my 24 hours I took the bottle back to Pathcare to have more blood drawn, I was glad that it was only 2 normal 5ml vials this time instead of the huge vials. This leaves no more blood to be drawn and only the nephrologist and the psychiatrist testing. There is another test I have to do when they shoot the dye in your veins and see the outlines of the kidneys and how the vein work is inside the kidney. This is the absolute last test before we have the actual transplant which we are really hoping to have done in March.
We however did get the most important result back that our tissue typing was negative which is awesome so we can move forward to the next steps. Tissue type is involved in the process of getting rid of viruses from the body and HLA are proteins that are located on the surface of the white blood cells and other tissues in the body. This means Tam wouldn't need as strong anti-rejection drugs as she might have had to use for the first transplant.
Before that however I need to get the last 5 - 7kgs off my arse so the docs will be able to operate on me. All the testing is exciting like it's an adventure Tam and I are going on together for a huge reward at the end of it all. Even with the stress of losing the weight and making the healthiest choices so I can be able to recover after the op I know I'm doing the right thing.
Have a good, healthy weekend peeps
xxx
Friday, January 16, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Ultrasounds and Dressing Gowns
On Tuesday I had an appointment I was dreading for a while, I had to have X-rays and an ultrasound done to see my organs and make sure they all healthy. The reason I was so nervous for these tests for some reason was I was scared something would be wrong and this would be the time I would find out "Oh you have abnormally tiny kidneys that cannot be used for a transplant" or "Gosh your heart is not strong enough to withstand major surgery". To make this worse it was nil per mouth, and a hungry Karmen is normally a grumpy Karmen.
 |
| The standard issue square gown! |
Eventually the day came and off we went to Constantiaberg Mediclinic to have our tests done. Tams appointment was first so as I sat on my own in the waiting room my nerves and hunger were getting to me. At last a nice lady names Jess called me and gave me a gown, with the instruction of take your clothes off and put this on but leave your undies on, to my relief. Once I was all dressed up Jess came and ushered me into a dark room with lots of buttons, she told me to lye on my back and pull my top up till my bra. I felt a tiny bit self conscious at this point as my stomach isn't really something I like to show off to strangers.
I was then left alone with my thoughts, nerves and grumbling belly till the lady who does the ultrasound came to see me. Her name was Jane and told me that she is going to put jelly on my stomach to see inside. The jelly was a little bit cold and felt strange and the ultrasound paddle thing actually hurts, it could just have hurt because my left kidney was play hide-and-go-seek.
After the ultrasound was finished and the jelly was all removed I was ushered into the x-ray room. I have never had an x-ray done before so I had no idea what to expect. To my absolute horror Karen, the x-ray lady, told me that bras interfere and have to be removed, so off came the bra. Karen then told me to stand with my chest and shoulders against the board thing and breath in and out.I then had to stand with my side to the board and grab the railing above my head, feeling like a monkey I did as I was told.
Delightfully I could now get dressed into my normal clothes and wait for my picture CD of my organs. After a few moments Karen called me again and I had to change back into the square gettup and head down a passage for more x-rays. luckily this time i could keep my bra on, YAY for little pleasures of no free exposed boobs. This x-ray was just of my abdomen and I could lye down on the white bed. Karen told me to breath in and out and then I was done. I could finally get back into my own clothes for good and wait for the CD.
Next was blood tests. This was the second lot of blood and it was a big 1. Off I went to Pathcare to have the blood drawn and still feeling grumpy cause I could still not eat. Small panic did hit as I realised 1 of the tests were for cholesterol and I already have an issue with those critters. after waiting a few minutes and being called into the little booth the girl so kindly asks me "where is your urine sample?" I was then given a huge 5l can and told I will have to put all my urine in this can for 24 hours. Huh did i hear you correctly? 24 hours in 1 can? But yes that is correct, just lovely. So after an embarrassing run in with another guy in the wrong blood room and the shame of having to pee in a can I had my blood drawn, 6 vials of precious red liquids gone, 1 of which was a huge as those spermy shooter bottles.
I had agreed that I would do the urine sample over the weekend so I don't have to lug the huge bottle to work and back everyday. All this has actually shown me that even though I'm not in the best shape I am still healthy in the way of not having any issues with organs or blood disorders. Bigups to that.
After all the horror I finally got to work and could not wait to see what my insides look like, so in I popped the CD to take a journey to the unknown. Turns out my kidneys are 12cms and the left is smaller than the right and everything else on the doctors report says that I am a healthy horse! Good stuff!
Here's to peeing in a bottle and losing more blood
xxx
Monday, December 29, 2014
Blood types and the what not
Merry Christmas to my readers. I hope you have had a joyous festive season and did not put on too much weight.
We finally got the approval from the medical aid and all of the appointments we need to go to. On Monday we did the 1st test which was tissue typing. After drawing 6 vials of blood we should know in about 3 weeks time if our tissues match.
My next appointment is next week Tuesday to have x-rays taken. Unfortunately I cannot eat before the x-rays so I think it is going to be quite challenging. I also have another round of blood tests to go through then it's just the social worker and small bits and bobs.
We hoping to have the transplant done in March / April, provided I have lost the extra weight, which is up to 7kgs now thanks to the festive season eatings.
Today I am going back to gym even if I sit on a bicycle for an hour it beats sitting at home on the couch stuffing my face. Home is where the trifle and fridge tart are which makes it difficult as I have no will power at all. Food controls me most of the time so being away from that situation is the best I can do. I see it as a win win situation.
I need to get back to work. Hope there is some good news coming soon.
Toodles
xx
We finally got the approval from the medical aid and all of the appointments we need to go to. On Monday we did the 1st test which was tissue typing. After drawing 6 vials of blood we should know in about 3 weeks time if our tissues match.
My next appointment is next week Tuesday to have x-rays taken. Unfortunately I cannot eat before the x-rays so I think it is going to be quite challenging. I also have another round of blood tests to go through then it's just the social worker and small bits and bobs.
We hoping to have the transplant done in March / April, provided I have lost the extra weight, which is up to 7kgs now thanks to the festive season eatings.
Today I am going back to gym even if I sit on a bicycle for an hour it beats sitting at home on the couch stuffing my face. Home is where the trifle and fridge tart are which makes it difficult as I have no will power at all. Food controls me most of the time so being away from that situation is the best I can do. I see it as a win win situation.
I need to get back to work. Hope there is some good news coming soon.
Toodles
xx
Friday, November 14, 2014
Blood blood blood!
Last week Wednesday I had an appointment with the transplant sister, sister Margaret explained everything that was going to be done and all the test I would need, the time it would take for testing as well as post op, and I had to sign all the forms for the information to be sent through to the medical aid. Tams medical aid covers all of the tests that need to be done for the recipient as well as the donor (how nice of them). I was also told I need to lose some weight, which I already knew. I have lost 8kgs already so only 5 more to go!! Both Tam and I were also informed that we need to be super healthy now as even a normal snotty nose or a slight cough would push the testing back till we are healthy again. I will be in hospital for about a week and then I will need 6 - 8 weeks recovery time at home to be fully healed and I will not be able to do any exercise for about 12 weeks post op.
Sister Margaret also gave me a form to go to Pathcare to have proof of my blood group. While I was there I did the other blood tests my GP had ordered me to have done.
When I finally got the results back turns out I am O+ (same blood group as Tam, which we already knew but they needed evidence) my Creatinine is 62 which is good and my Urea is 2.7 (it's supposed to be 2.8 but that is no problem), this mean that my kidney is actually perfect to be donated YAY! Sister Margaret has now sent all the forms and details to the medical aid so now it's a waiting game.... tick tock, tick tock. The last time the transplant was requested it took about 3 - 4 weeks to be approved, which isn't too bad, gives me some more time to lose some weight.
From all the tests I was told these are the ones I actually remember:
Chest x-ray.
Lung tests.
HLA typing or tissue typing - they test the antigens (proteins on the cells of the body) to make sure they match, we get antigens from our parents (50% from mom, 50% from dad) so we are positive that our antigens would be a match.
Meeting with a social worker - this is to make sure I am not being bribed or paid into giving up a kidney.
The CT scan thing where they shoot dye into your blood to see which kidney is best suited to be donated.
Blood pressure tests are also very important, and if my blood pressure if high they will put me on a little machine that will be strapped to me and will measure my bp over a 24 hour period.
I will also have to pee in a bottle for 24 hours to see how my kidney processes water and urine (I must say I'm really looking forward to this part of everything)
Now that the ball is finally on the roll I feel excited to get this done, but also a tiny bit scared as I have never had a operation before and I do not know what to expect but also very glad that I have the tools that can help Tam feel better and keep her healthy.
I will be writing a blog for every test or scan that I am doing.
Here's to many healthy years.
x
Sister Margaret also gave me a form to go to Pathcare to have proof of my blood group. While I was there I did the other blood tests my GP had ordered me to have done.
When I finally got the results back turns out I am O+ (same blood group as Tam, which we already knew but they needed evidence) my Creatinine is 62 which is good and my Urea is 2.7 (it's supposed to be 2.8 but that is no problem), this mean that my kidney is actually perfect to be donated YAY! Sister Margaret has now sent all the forms and details to the medical aid so now it's a waiting game.... tick tock, tick tock. The last time the transplant was requested it took about 3 - 4 weeks to be approved, which isn't too bad, gives me some more time to lose some weight.
From all the tests I was told these are the ones I actually remember:
Chest x-ray.
Lung tests.
HLA typing or tissue typing - they test the antigens (proteins on the cells of the body) to make sure they match, we get antigens from our parents (50% from mom, 50% from dad) so we are positive that our antigens would be a match.
Meeting with a social worker - this is to make sure I am not being bribed or paid into giving up a kidney.
The CT scan thing where they shoot dye into your blood to see which kidney is best suited to be donated.
Blood pressure tests are also very important, and if my blood pressure if high they will put me on a little machine that will be strapped to me and will measure my bp over a 24 hour period.
I will also have to pee in a bottle for 24 hours to see how my kidney processes water and urine (I must say I'm really looking forward to this part of everything)
Now that the ball is finally on the roll I feel excited to get this done, but also a tiny bit scared as I have never had a operation before and I do not know what to expect but also very glad that I have the tools that can help Tam feel better and keep her healthy.
I will be writing a blog for every test or scan that I am doing.
Here's to many healthy years.
x
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Sickness and health?
Hello lovies.
I wanted to write last week but I was so weak, I was hit by a nasty bug that meant anything that went into my mouth came right back out again (will teach me to drink Coke and eat Chinese food together) This did help me lose 1 kg (the only awesome part about being sick) and has helped me lose quite a bit of my appetite. This also meant no exercise so that 1 kg was a blessing.
I normally do weigh ins every second Tuesday but today out of curiosity I jumped on the scale and found I've lost 2.4 kgs since my weigh in last week! yay! This feels kinda weird and unreal (I happened to get back on the scale again just to make sure it was a correct reading) as it has been a while since I've actually lost big amounts of weight, 500g does not cut it. This brings my total weight loss since 23 September to 5kgs. Pretty proud of that right there.
Today is also day 3 of drinking gelatin in tea (coffee makes me way too naar to drink it) which I'm hoping is going to help with my stretch marks and the marks I have on my legs from the stress scratches I always end up having when life happens to have a wobble.
The other night I tried waxing my legs..... what a disaster, little chips of dried wax all over the lounge carpet and blood shot legs to pay for it, I doubt I will be trying that again, should just get a bottle of wine and go to a salon so they can do it for me (the wine is for the dutch courage)
I shall be going to gym tonight and being healthy and happy again YAY!
Till we meet again
xxx
I wanted to write last week but I was so weak, I was hit by a nasty bug that meant anything that went into my mouth came right back out again (will teach me to drink Coke and eat Chinese food together) This did help me lose 1 kg (the only awesome part about being sick) and has helped me lose quite a bit of my appetite. This also meant no exercise so that 1 kg was a blessing.
I normally do weigh ins every second Tuesday but today out of curiosity I jumped on the scale and found I've lost 2.4 kgs since my weigh in last week! yay! This feels kinda weird and unreal (I happened to get back on the scale again just to make sure it was a correct reading) as it has been a while since I've actually lost big amounts of weight, 500g does not cut it. This brings my total weight loss since 23 September to 5kgs. Pretty proud of that right there.
Today is also day 3 of drinking gelatin in tea (coffee makes me way too naar to drink it) which I'm hoping is going to help with my stretch marks and the marks I have on my legs from the stress scratches I always end up having when life happens to have a wobble.
The other night I tried waxing my legs..... what a disaster, little chips of dried wax all over the lounge carpet and blood shot legs to pay for it, I doubt I will be trying that again, should just get a bottle of wine and go to a salon so they can do it for me (the wine is for the dutch courage)
I shall be going to gym tonight and being healthy and happy again YAY!
Till we meet again
xxx
Monday, September 29, 2014
Pork Sausage casserole
I love casserole and have fond memories of my grand father making this when he was alive.
Right so you will need
Grease an oven proof dish and line the sausages at the bottom of the bowl. pour veggies over the top of the sausages and spice as you like. I used chilli flakes and garlic. Par boil your potato in the microwave and cut into thin rings, then place ontop of the veggies. Pour your wine or beer over the veggies and potato and pop into a pre heated oven at 180*. Cook for 1 hour or until sausages are cooked and potato is crispy around the edges.
:)
Right so you will need
- 2 pork bangers (no nasties or fillers)
- 1 bag of mix veggies of your choice
- 1 medium potato or sweet potato
- 1 glass of beer or wine
- Spices
Grease an oven proof dish and line the sausages at the bottom of the bowl. pour veggies over the top of the sausages and spice as you like. I used chilli flakes and garlic. Par boil your potato in the microwave and cut into thin rings, then place ontop of the veggies. Pour your wine or beer over the veggies and potato and pop into a pre heated oven at 180*. Cook for 1 hour or until sausages are cooked and potato is crispy around the edges.
:)
Weekend bum
This weekend I was very good, I missed the parkrun but I went to gym twice last night (YAY!)
On Saturday I saw an old friend who I have not seen in a while and 1 of the 1st things he says to me is 'F*ck Karmen you got fat' Well needless to say my 1st reaction was a not so lady like f*ck you and then as he carried on 'oh but your bums gotten so big' and the trying to make it sound like he's being nice 'it's good, women need a bum' my response was 'so what, it's my bum' this ultimately lead my to a huge lump in my throat and wanting to leave. The skinny me was not happy with herself and the fat me felt defeated. When we eventually left I couldn't help but cry, my dad, at first, didn't know what to do with his crying 24 year old daughter but then gave me the speech. Karmen, f*ck him you live with us and we love you and no my girl you are not fat (My dad thinks we are perfect even though I am carrying a little bit extra around the edges) which made me cry even more because my parents are so awesome.
So I ate all healthy stuff the weekend and went to gym twice on Sunday to make up for me being 'fat'. This included a stretch class which I cannot say I enjoyed very much as my tummy kept getting in the way. I am starting to enjoy going to gym just wish I could spend more time there.
Today when I got into work I found out I lost the bet with my boss so Saturdays parkrun I will have to run it *yikes* the deal however did not say how fast I have to run so I will do my running not athlete style running.
On a lighter note (literally) I lost 1.4kgs since my last weigh in which was Tuesday morning so will see coming Tuesday what the final result is, which I think isn't too bad.
Here's to the rest of the day.
Till we chat again lovies
x
On Saturday I saw an old friend who I have not seen in a while and 1 of the 1st things he says to me is 'F*ck Karmen you got fat' Well needless to say my 1st reaction was a not so lady like f*ck you and then as he carried on 'oh but your bums gotten so big' and the trying to make it sound like he's being nice 'it's good, women need a bum' my response was 'so what, it's my bum' this ultimately lead my to a huge lump in my throat and wanting to leave. The skinny me was not happy with herself and the fat me felt defeated. When we eventually left I couldn't help but cry, my dad, at first, didn't know what to do with his crying 24 year old daughter but then gave me the speech. Karmen, f*ck him you live with us and we love you and no my girl you are not fat (My dad thinks we are perfect even though I am carrying a little bit extra around the edges) which made me cry even more because my parents are so awesome.
So I ate all healthy stuff the weekend and went to gym twice on Sunday to make up for me being 'fat'. This included a stretch class which I cannot say I enjoyed very much as my tummy kept getting in the way. I am starting to enjoy going to gym just wish I could spend more time there.
Today when I got into work I found out I lost the bet with my boss so Saturdays parkrun I will have to run it *yikes* the deal however did not say how fast I have to run so I will do my running not athlete style running.
On a lighter note (literally) I lost 1.4kgs since my last weigh in which was Tuesday morning so will see coming Tuesday what the final result is, which I think isn't too bad.
Here's to the rest of the day.
Till we chat again lovies
x
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