Back at Home: Day Two

Update from Wenche - "The Donor"
She, Paul and Nina arrived home in Ottawa safe and sound - and a bit tired. Wenche was going to send along a photo today but didn't have the energy. She passed along the following anyway:

A big hug and thank you to all of you for the special wishes and words of encouragement - it is so much appreciated. The fantastic team of specialists and surgeons at St. Michael's Hospital made it possible for me to make this donation so that Sue may get back the health she has been without for so long - for this I am grateful. 

So - remember to sign your donor cards - it will make a difference in someone's life.

Wenche X0X0

Update from Sue - "The Recipient"

Desia, Greg, Bron and newcomer Gaynor (Caregiver Extraordinaire of the moment) were all gathered at Sue's this afternoon. Sue is continuing to do great, and Bron remarked the eternal swelling in her legs has pretty much disappeared, amazingly enough. 

Just a short update for tonight but we will continue to keep everyone in the loop.

Stay warm and dry everyone!

Welcome Home: One big leg of the journey complete

Bron and I returned home this afternoon to the good news that Sue is now at home and cozying up in her own bed! Desia and Greg transported her there late this morning. She is very tired but self-medicating now. Her readings are all good, central line is out, and her first clinic appointment is booked for Wednesday of this week.

Wenche, Paul and Nina left Toronto just before Sue returned home and are now safely on their way back to Ottawa by car. 

Thank you all for following along with us on this incredible journey. We will continue to post updates on the blog to keep you all in the loop with how our patients are carving out in the coming days, weeks and months ahead. Keep the comments coming!

Morning Update!

Morning all,

I snapped the below photo last night when we were visiting our remaining patient in the hospital:

She looks like her regular old self again. Less than one week after the kidney transplant.

Thanks Wenche,
We owe you the world!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone :-)

Update Update!

Good evening all,

Bron and I were in to see Sue this evening, followed by a nice dinner at The Senator (although Sue did not join us :-) ). Her creatinine levels are lower still today, down to 94! And she was up and about for several walks throughout the day. She chatted on the phone with her sister Judy this afternoon and Cath Fry was by for a visit. 

Wenche is now at Sue's place, taking it easy. Bron and I will stop by there tomorrow on our way to Waterloo to wish her well before she makes the trek back to Ottawa on Monday with Paul and her daughter Nina, who is driving down to pick them up and take them all back by car (a better idea than flying at this point). Wenche continues to feel a little bit better each day, although she still has some nausea. 

We are thankful that with this week coming to a close, we have to two very healthy and happy women in our lives, to inspire us and serve as examples of the power of friendship.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Update from Sue

Good evening friends, family and followers,

Some incredibly uplifting news to share with you all tonight that Greg passed along to me this morning: Sue's creatinine levels are the lowest they've maybe ever been, at 104! Her level prior to the surgery was 462; a 'normal' person's level is about 90. What tremendous news to keep spirits high.

Wenche was officially released today and promptly left the hospital I imagine right at the stroke of 11:00am when patients must check-out by. She moved on to her 'home away from home' at Sue's place to continue to recover - with Paul as her nurse - until they return to Ottawa on or about Monday of next week. We wish Wenche all the best as she recovers in a cozy bed she is used to in the comfort of Sue's home. 

We hope the good news of Wenche's and Sue's continued journey towards wellness inspires you all. We know it inspires us.

Keep well!

Update from the Kidney Floor

Good evening family and friends,

My update for the evening is directly from Sue herself, as I was not into the hospital tonight for a visit:

"Had an excellent day - they took me off the morphine, the heart monitor, the insulin and I had three long walks. Wenche started off the day not at all well - still a lot of nausea. But by this afternoon she had perked right back up and may be able to leave the hospital tomorrow.

"Please thank everyone for their wonderful love and messages. Would not be doing so well without them.

"Busy place here. One new transplant patient overnight and another just arrived - both cadaver kidneys. Great medical team.

"Am doing so well. It is so exciting to feel  life pumping back into me."

Not only are Sue and Wenche grateful for your best wishes but so are their families, including me. Thank you, everyone! It really takes a village, and we wouldn't be where we are without you!

Love,

Bron & Kathryn

on behalf of Wenche's and Sue's family

The Day After Surgery

Good evening family and friends,

A passage from Uncle Mike in Cape Town to start off this post:

"Hubert Humphrey said, 'The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love' and there is plenty of that around both Sue and Wenche." This couldn't be more true!

I still can't get over that my mother-in-law was sitting up in her bed today chatting on her cell phone (almost all day long!) to all her friends, and asking me about my day, and going on a short walk in the hospital hallway. Bron took a short walk with Wenche in the hallway today as well. She was experiencing a lot of nausea. She was being examined by her nurse when I arrived at 5:30pm, and was fast asleep when we left the hospital at 7:00pm. Sue had a chat with her family today in Cape Town to get them all up to speed on Wenche's and her progress and was very sleepy when we left tonight. Desia came stopped by for a visit today and Cath Fry as well.

We continue to wish them well on their journey and look forward to what tomorrow brings :-)

Until then,
Bron & Kathryn