6th Month Anniversary

Today is my six-month anniversary with my transplant! I celebrated by yet another early morning going to the transplant center for labs and a mini-clinic with Anne.

Overall, my progress has been very stable and uneventful. Yes, in the transplant world, those are good adjectives. I continue to get weaned from my drug regiment. Two weeks ago, we dropped my BP medicine, the first time that I haven't had to take BP medicine since around 1980. And last week, to do a minor adjustment in meds, I went a whole day without any, other than a vitamin and baby aspirin. Headaches have backed off (but still happen because they are also a side effect of the Prograf, and when that level goes up, I get more headaches and tremors. I'm starting to get a feel, pardon the pun, for the amount of medication in my system at any given time. But I also was able to drop the drug that I was taking for migraines. The drug companies are probably not liking me now. I'm taking less meds than before transplant.

Anne also talked today about a new drug that's going to be available for kidney transplants. It's called Belatacept and has been tentatively approved by the FDA, but then they put a one-month hold on release so that they can review some three-year study results. There was a question about a side effect with people who are EBV-negative. I'm EBV-positive, (like 90 % of the population) so it's likely not an issue. The nice thing about it, including better kidney function and lower blood pressure, is that it's administered by injection, likely every three or so weeks. So I can give myself shots (lots of experience already) and skip the daily, highly disciplined pill regime.

Jen's doing great as well. She and Steve are busy remodeling their townhouse, putting in a new kitchen sink (some assistance needed), remodel kitchen, new lights, painting, new back yard. Michelle is in Richmond VA all week taking an art class.

I've been getting involved in more things now that I have lots more energy. We live in a community of several hundred homes, there is a civic association that serves as sort of a homeowners association. There was a period of "unpleasantness" on the board about the time of my transplant, and in March, the community kicked them out and elected new board members. My past experience serving on the board at Stansbury Park must have faded from memory, as I volunteered to stand for election. Not only did I get elected, but then got elected as president of the board. So I have that job in the evenings to deal with. Next week, I go on my first business trip after the transplant, have to do a week-long goverment tradeshow in Phoenix, where I am one of the speakers. It will be fun to do the shows again when I have more energy to work the booth and walk the floor.

Next is the six to 12 month period after transplant, and is considered the bellweather period. If I can make it through that period without any rejection problems, the statistics indicate that I'm going to have a very successful, long term transplant! First 6 are done, 6 more to go.

gc