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

Muralis surgery also closed

We just heard that Murallis surgery closed as well and we are waiting for him to be moved to the recovery room 

Rajesh's surgery is over

Dr Foley thought he was a hero and we all agree. He mentioned that he was one of the fittest donors he has seen and the surgery was very smooth. The left kidney was taken out and will go in the right side of Muralis. Rajesh is indeed our hero - and we are deep in thought on some cool T shirts we can design for him.

We are about 10 folks sitting in the waiting area. Thank you Sati and Sayoni for coming over from the Bay Area for being with us. Thank you Minnie for coming from Austin and  a special thanks to Mana for making this one week trip from India to be a pillar of support, strength and humor for us. Thanks also to Rajesh's parents -  for traveling from BLR - their conviction, strength and faith have guided us throughout the day so far. We are waiting for Muralis surgery to go over well. Last but not the least - our deepest thanks and gratitude go towards our long time friends - RR, Deepika for hosting us, our friends, for cooking us delicious food for umpteen meals and taking time off for looking after Saniya, picking up and dropping off many many times. They were the main reason Madison was also our preferred choice. Thanks to Amol and Amit ( their kids) and Aunty for being there for us all the time 

Status update at 9:26

Rajesh's surgery has started - all is well do far according to the nurse. Murali is being rolled into surgery right now. By 5 pm today both will be transferred to the general room by 5 today

Morning of surgery

This is Ishita / Rajesh's wife. I will be blogging throughout the day. Rajesh's surgery will last from 7:30 - 11:30. After that he will be in recovery for another hour or two and then transferred to a private room. He will be groggy for most part of the day

Last day before surgery

Went to Madison for a pre-surgery checkup. Everything looks good. Met the surgeon Dr. Foley, for the first time. He decided (in front of me) to take the left kidney. The left kidney goes into the right side of my brother's abdomen.

The surgery is at 7.30 Am tomorrow, Dec 10th. It is likely to last about 4 hours with another hour of recovering from anesthesia.

I was asked to take a laxative at 6 Pm as preparation. It's about 9 Pm and it has not worked. Honestly, I am not too unhappy about this.

We spent the evening at my friend Rajesh's place. Here are some pictures. 

Countdown to surgery begins

I am on my way to Chicago. Waiting at the airport. I had an eventful morning. Ishita (my wife) and Saniya (my daughter) came to airport to drop me. When I reached SFO airport I realized that I had left my laptop bag at home. So after a few minutes of panic and exasperation I went to AA counter and changed my flt to the next one. Back at the airport about 2 hours later. Oh....during the mixup I had left my license at the American counter. Retrieved that and now I am all set....

Ishita and Saniya will join me on Wed (day before surgery) in Madison. Surgery on Thu 10th.

If you know of any kidney transplant related jokes, videos please post..