Fifth and Final Update
We finally got to see Erik at 6:00 p.m. …. just before they got the pain meds working. I'll tell ya what, nothing much freaks me out or creeps me out (except vomit) and that is not a sight I ever wish to experience again. I think both Stephanie and I are a bit traumatized.
They got him all situated and tucked in for the night. And pretty much just knocked him out again. He will be in ICU for the night - nothing is wrong, in fact it all went very well - but ICU is just what they do. He will move to a regular room tomorrow morning. I felt a little bad coming home and just leaving him there. The nurse assured me that she will just tell him I was there. Given all the pain meds he won't really know. Deal.
I spoke to the doctor after the surgery and before we saw Erik. He gave me a bit of fabulous news.
I skipped back over to Laura and said "I have normal good news and fabulous news. What do you want first?" She wanted the normal good news first. So I told her that her husband is fine, my husband is fine, kidney started functioning right away blah blah blah.
And then for the fabulous news….
THE DOCTOR TOOK A PICTURE OF THE KIDNEY FOR ME.
The actual kidney. Right there in the middle of the surgery lobby we cheered and hugged. People stared. We can only hope they didn't hear the reason for our obnoxious joy.
I immediately starting planning the post transplant party. And the invitations. Custom made with a picture of….you knew this was coming….the kidney. The actual honest to goodness kidney.
And now a word about John.
What do I even say? Hey thanks for your kidney let me buy you lunch? Kidney for me hot dog at the football game for you?
The best part of all of this is that all five of our combined kids got to witness real live selfless love and kindness in their very own little lives. Some way, some how, they will all pay it forward. What more could you really want for your kids?
When John "woke up" the first thing he said was "did it work?" His main concern was Erik.
John, as the super hero donor, gets to stay in the super cool ultra fabulous VIP suite in the Cleveland Clinic. He deserves it. And we can all be a little thankful that Lebron didn't donate a kidney this week so the suite was available.
Fourth Update
Laura got to see John briefly. He is doing well and now has appropriate pain meds. He should be moved to his room shortly. Erik is still in surgery. The last update from the OR was that all was well. While typing this we got another update: all is well AND they are closing him up.
John in pre op
Perfect afternoon snack. My fabulous and thoughtful cousin sent us a box of these adorable cookies. There were also bandaids and medical coats. I may or may not have a picture of those because I may or may not have eaten them for breakfast.
Third Update
John is out of surgery (just after 1:00). He will be in recovery for 2 hours before Laura can see him. A few more hours for Erik. I don't know exactly because (1) I didn't even bother to ask how long it would be and/or (2) they told me and I didn't pay attention. Did I mention I woke up at 4 a.m.? One down one to go!
Second Update
Erik's surgery started at 10:24 a.m. Laura and I are trying to figure out how to get a photo of the kidney hand off without getting arrested.
First Update
The boys were in pre op bright and early at 6:00 a.m. Laura and I were kicked out around 8. John's surgery started at 9:30. Erik was taken to the OR at 9:00 but I haven't received an update that his surgery has started yet. They have these fabulous little pagers here that send you messages. Which means no one is speaking at me and this makes me happy.
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