Post surgery thoughts-1

The pain and discomfort was much worse than I imagined. I was really hoping to be a little sore but otherwise on my feet in every respect. I have never had a surgery before so I didn't know what to expect. I had been told that I would feel bloating and some pain in my abdomen. Also, I may suffer from incontinence. What I didn't expect was that I would wake up from a surgery with a "bump" like a pregnant woman. This bump along with sore and weak stomach muscles made walking straight almost difficult. I had gained 7 pounds (my base weight is about 160 pounds) in less than 24 hours mainly because of the gas they pumped into me during surgery and the fluids that were injected immediately after surgery. I would walk hunched over like an old man and further put tremendous pressure on my lower back muscles. Even after 10 days, the most troublesome part is the lower back pain. This still keeps me from sitting comfortably in the same position for a long time. However, I am happy that the pain is reducing with each day.

For comparison, picture taken before surgery and taken 3 days after surgery. The bump was bigger on the day after the surgey than what this picture shows.

EKG Before surgery

Selfie 3 days after surgery

12 day update after surgery

We (Ishita, Saniya, and I) came back to California over the weekend. My surgeon cleared me for two important things: drinking alcohol, driving an automobile (though not necessarily in the same order or simultaneously. The doctor also advised to me to stay off any running for another two weeks.  I went to work on Monday for a few hours and had a full day at work today/Tuesday.  I could choose to work from home or even to take time off, but I am eager to get back to some form of normalcy. Physically, I am not completely back to normal (pre-surgery state) but things are improving, though slower than I want/wish.  More on my hospitalization and first week of recovery in future blogs.

Today's updates - 10/14

Murali will be discharged from the hospital today between 1-3 pm and will head back home. He seems in good spirits and has his energy back. 

Rajesh is recuperating in Madison and slowly getting better. He can climb stairs and can walk around by himself - he stopped taking pain killers. He tires easily but every day is better than the day before.

He will have his first checkup this Friday and after that we with his parents will head back to Chicago. From there, we will be heading back to CA.

Day 3 picture

Brothers Pazh (a)yannur progress continues at a remarkable rate thanks to the awesome medical team we have at UW. As you have noticed - Rajesh is back to blogging and you can read some first hand accounts of the surgery and post surgery recovery. In the meantime, enjoy the attached pic

Good morning from the room in UW Hospital Transplant Floor

Greeting everybody. It is Saturday morning and I have finally gotten on to my laptop to write something down. I was completely off the grid for two days (and didn't miss it).  The doctors have removed all the bandages and I can get released from the hospital to my friend's home. I am still trying to decide what to do. I will have breakfast, walk around and then decide. My brother, Murali is doing great. His new kidney is doing well and he says that he feels more energetic than before the surgery. His kidney numbers (creatine, BUN) are coming down to levels seen in a person with a healthy kidney. So all good on that front as well.

Just caught a glimpse of all the emails, and best wishes that have come in over the past few days. Thank you very much.

In the coming days, I hope to write more about the post surgery experience, hospital stay. 

Day 2: Dec 11th

Rajesh is continuing to improve today although his pain is worse today. That is expected - Dr Foley assured us. He can order food from the menu and he can go to the bathroom by himself - two major developments since yesterday. I slept in the hospital last night and I could write a whole blog post on what "sleeping" means in a transplant floor - but I will withhold my bloggers urge for now.

Murali gave us an unexpected surprise this morning as early as 6:30 am when he walked by himself to Rajesh's room. He felt good - he said. All the vitals look good and he is also improving well.

As of now, Rajesh will be released on Sat and Murali will be released on Monday.

A picture is worth a thousand words