Two weeks time.

Went to the gym tonight, loving every minute of it.  Half way thru an abs class, it began to really hit me how I won't be able to do this at all, in two weeks time.  Side crunches, working the oblique muscles...twisting and bending side to side...faster and faster.  Long slow Pilate's like stretches..won't be seeing any of those for quite some time to come.  I know a lot of people who would be delighted to be excused as it were, from gym class for the rest of their lives.  I'm sort of in mourning for it.  It's such a part of who I am.  Who I've become over these last..what 8 years.

This isn't regret.  I don't.  I just know I'll miss it, for a while anyway.  If I need encouragement or courage, I've only got to look at the 7 inch scar on my left arm, where my surgically relocated cubital tunnel nerve..the ulna? lives in it's new home.  I was off the bike for 8 whole weeks. At the end of that I was able to do the MS 150...both days.  I know this is much bigger and more serious, but it gives me hope.

 Monday we, Pete, Vicky, Ray, Vicky's sister, her daughter and granddaughter...all spent the day at the hospital.  Going thru more blood work, meeting with the surgeon. Discussing techniques.  Becoming acquainted with exactly who was getting what.  Apparently Pete & Vicky, didn't know until Monday that she's not getting my kidney.  I guess as one of the failsafes, they told me that we would be a paired match, not a direct donation, so that if I wanted out I had a perfect excuse.  But I didn't and I don't!  Vicky is getting another mans kidney.  Mine is going...dunno yet.  Maybe his wife?  or daughter?  Doesn't really matter.

We, Pete & I finally told the people at work.  What a relief.  We waited till after lunch, and then told one of the other women to shut the door.  So now, 3 coworkers know exactly what's happening and when.

We have lift off!!

Got a date!! June 8th is the scheduled date for the swap out.  I think I was the first one in the chain of, can you make this date.  My companion in this journey just got her call today and I found out at work.  Tomorrow is my echo cardiogram... tick tick tick!  Then a lunch date with my son and then... perhaps...looking for a job.  I so want out of where I am.  Ah well off to ride the bike and stay as fit as I can before I can't be too fit for a while!  Happy happy Joy Joy!! :-)

Dates with ?

Well, tomorrow is finally my date with a Hysteroscopy !  Whatever that turns out to be like.  I suspect not the most fun, but I've been promised a birds-eye view and that will have to suffice for now.  I'm certain they won't find a thing wrong either...just polyps and fibroids...which we already knew I had.  Friday is my date with the Echo Cardiogram....get to see the mitral valve prolapse I already know I have and that doesn't effect me in the slightest!! Gotta love specialists who freak at things they ain't familiar with like minor heart murmers and such.

We have a tentative date...dunno if I mentioned it...June 8th is looking like a possible date for surgery.  Good part about that is I get to do the Doan Hall Century ride this Saturday, the training ride with the Lockheed Martin team on Sunday too!  And then, like all that weren't enough, I get Memorial Day weekend camping and Kayaking in the Delaware Water Gap!  So by the time we get to surgery, I'm gonna need a rest!  My theory, if I go into it totally fit...recovery will be that much quicker!

Time will tell.

Final "Pre" Dr. appt.

Tomorrow at 9:45 I meet the surgeon for the first time.  Apparently the head of the transplant dept. is doing my surgery.  Guess that's cause they have to do open on me.  Kinda nice to know I'm getting one of the most experienced people working on me. Now I may have to discuss stitching techniques. I like feather or blanket stitch embroidery personally...have to see what he favors.  And what  his thoughts are for my tattoo afterwards.  Still toying with the idea of "I gave at the office"  or "US Grade A prime".  Wonder if he'll have the same lack of humor the other nephrologist!

Did a beautiful Century Ride yesterday with a bunch of folks and friends from Doan Academy. Figure this may be the last one for this year.  It was amazing to ride along side a bunch of adorable 8th graders doing something that many experienced riders have never done.  Rode along side the Head Master for many a mile too.  He asked if I would come in and talk to the Upper School (aka High School) about what I'm doing.  I responded, before or after, and he said before.  Not sure when they get done with their school year, but it may be that it's too early for my after.   He thinks it's a cool thing and that the idea that someone would do it for a non family member is "inspiring"... I just think it's what I need to do.

Told my dearest old friend Rose about it last week, she's all behind it!  Turns out her daughter actually works in "HUP" aka Hospital of University of Pennsylvania.  So having company while I'm there should be easy!

Still waiting....

Stuck in hold mode.  Was supposed to have a Hysteroscopy tomorrow...but mother nature...she don't like to be told what to do...so she decided to gift me...again.  It's been a whalloping two weeks since my last period...and its back with a vengeance!  So now that puts the Hysteroscopy off till things clear up...which could be anywhere from a week to three weeks.  She's a mean one she is, Mother Nature.

Limbo

Well, that's what this feels like anyhow! I'm still waiting for one of the Dr. offices to call me back. They're supposed to be arranging a hysteroscopy. This will allow them a final look deep inside and determine that the "growth" is exactly that...a growth and nothing more. It's frustrating just having to sit and wait. I actually left a rather pointed message on the voice mail of the woman who does the scheduling, explaining that she is right now...the single domino that's holding up all the works.

Next trip to the U of P will be for an Echo Cardiogram...also a fun test...especially if you get to watch. I did the last time I had this done, almost 6 or 7 years ago. It was so amazing watching your own heart beating away, and then with help from the technician, seeing the valve that's misbehaving. I'm always fascinated by how our bodies work and to actually get to see your own in action is simply too much fun.

I found out during my last go round at the hospital that they won't be able to do laparoscopic surgery on me. Apparently from the CT scan they were able to determine exactly where my kidneys lie and it's not compatible with that type of surgery.  SO looks like I'll wind up with one big scar instead of 3 very small and one medium one. Had a thought the other day, a tattoo, in small clean print type font, saying, "I gave at the office" ! May have to revise my "I'll never get a tattoo" philosophy.

It's hard waiting too, knowing that I'm "training" for rides and races I may never get to do. The American Cancer ride is in July, I was planning on doing the Metric Century, 100k, but may not be allowed to ride yet. I'm planning a kayak trip to the Delaware Water Gap, but may not be able to paddle (won't be able to lift anything more than 10 lbs, so getting into and out of the 'yak, may be difficult). I'm part of organizing a Livestrong Challenge team, and won't be sure what distance I'll be riding, if any, for a while. My original plan was 100 miles, but now that's all up in the air. I may wind up doing 20 or so with the cancer survivors...if I'm lucky. And I'll be happy with that. It's just every single thing this summer is now up in the air. Guess it's kinda like finding out your kidneys are dying...and killing you too...Life itself is up in the air, waiting, hoping. Limbo.

Closer

Yesterday was April 30th...aka Dr.s Day for me. Started with a quick eyeball check by my surgeon. He's happy, I'm happy, my vision is perfect!

On to bigger things...Next stop, the nephrologist office at U of P. This one's been a while in the making. Got to meet and talk with one of the Dr's who will be responsible for my care as well as the care of my recipient. He spent the better part of an hour with me..checking..listening..tapping..feeling and basically giving the ole tires a good kicking.

End result is, he wants to check a few more things. My heart murmer aka mitral valve issue, while it gives me no issues, he wants another echo cardiogram. Haven't had one in a few years..so ok. There is some kind of mass next to my polp and fibroid (both of which I knew I had) and he just want's my gynecologist to check it again.

If these two things get squared away in the next week or so....we may begin discussing surgery as early as a week from today. Now that isn't say that it will happen in a week, just preliminary when and all that good stuff. Exciting, scary and part of me just want's it over with. I want to train for stuff for this summer. I want to be able to plan things. I want to be done, so I can just tell people. I'm still telling folks one at a time. Once we are absolutely certain...I won't care who knows. Or what they think.

And then reflecting on my impatience...what must it be like knowing your kidneys are dying. Literally dying. And hoping and praying that you don't have to go on dialysis.

I had to deliver my 48 hours worth of samples yesterday, and have blood drawn to match up with them. Since we are still concerned with getting good viable samples, I got to take home my fourth sample bottle! I'm becoming a professional pee-er!! Literally.

But on the bright side of everything, I also finally found out which method will be used on me, and fortunately and unfortunately, it is the old fashioned slice and dice. Which will mean less difuse pain from the gas they use to allow for moving around room. But a bigger incision. You give some you get some.

Went cycling today, only got in 28 miles with friends and my hubby. Absolutely beautiful day to ride and get in shape. And as I tell my recipients hubby, gotta keep the parts in shape and healthy.