Many have asked about, or been confused as to how, I still have kidney function, since they removed my kidneys to put in the new one. Let me try to clear this up and answer a few questions we are regularly asked.
They did not remove my kidneys, nor do they typically remove the original kidneys during a transplant. They only do that in rare cases. Typically, they leave the “old” kidneys in and over time, the body stops using them and they shrivel and die. They always remain in the body, but cause no issue. The new kidney grows and eventually does the work of two kidneys. This is why Steve was able to give, because eventually, his single remaining kidney expands to double it’s original size and does all the work that his two kidneys did previously. (Isn’t God’s creation marvelous?!)
So, when they put Steve’s kidney into me, I actually had three kidneys that were all hooked up and working, though my originals were combining to do less than 10% of typical function. When the blood clot occurred, Steve’s kidney “died” and my kidneys continued to do what they had always done. After they removed Steve’s kidney, my body went back to doing what it had been doing (only now I have a side serving of surgery pain to go along my dish of “very little kidney function”).
Four to six weeks before the surgery, my kidney function began to decrease at a more rapid rate. We were not too concerned because we knew the transplant was around the corner, thus no dialysis. After they removed Steve’s kidney, my creatine was very high, much higher than before the surgery. (Creatine is the measure of toxins in the blood, therefore a measure of kidney function. High number = less function)
Trauma and drugs can raise the levels of creatine in the blood. With all that they did to me (lots of drugs, 2 surgeries, etc.), my creatine levels increased significantly, so the doctors are currently not sure what my true creatine readings are. They have put me on a one month course of dialysis to “clean me up” and will then evaluate just how much dialysis I need, if any. It is likely that I will need a regular dose, as my kidneys were already moving south before the surgery.
Please feel free to ask whatever questions you have, I will answer them through the comments. There are no bad questions; lots of people are asking the same things so don’t be embarrassed. I can’t promise a correct answer to all questions, but I can promise a laugh at least.
wes©
What is the condition you have that caused your kidney problems?
I have IgA Glomerular Nephritis. They don’t know how I got it, or why I have it. On top of that, it has manifest itself in my body in ways they knew were possible but they had never seen before.
What does this Nephritis do? Does it attack the kidneys or does it create blockages or ??????
Basically it means that I have an auto-immune disease and my body is attacking my kidneys. They don’t know if that is what caused the blood clot in the new kidney. That is what they are researching now.
wes.
Wes & Karen
Wes it was great to see you in Church. After that immerse sufferring it nice to see that you alive, hurting but alive!
Karen your bright smile & sparklng eyes tells me you are delight to have Wes home and sense some relief as God continues His will for your lives.
Still praying for the finished miracle in your lives.
Edna & Lou DiCicco
Hi Wes,
I occasionally hear you speak at CTM, but it’s interesting since I have the same condition as you.
So maybe at some abstract level I understand what you’re feeling. =)
-Deen