Dear friends and family,
We have not managed to respond to each and every one of you since sending out the news of the kidney transplant being denied by UCSF. We do want you to know that we are feeling better about this decision - in fact, Bob is more lighthearted than he's been in several years! He is personally very relieved not to have to face that procedure and possible complications, and suddenly is feeling better than he has in quite some time. He is doing a lot more driving, and keeping up well at cardiac rehab. He is not objecting to me making some small travel plans, so of course I'm a happy camper, being able to anticipate some getaways in the next few months. So please don't worry about us, if you were, because we are moving forward and planning to enjoy life to the fullest while we can - just like everyone should!
Happy Spring to all, and please do continue to keep in touch!
With a smile,
Cherie - and Bob/RJ/Irving
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Kidney Chronicles: News At Last
Dear friends and family,
Our 3-year rollercoaster ride on the way to a kidney transplant decision is finally over. We got the call late yesterday from our nurse-coordinator at UCSF telling us that the transplant selection committee has decided that a transplant is too risky for Bob, in spite of his cardiologist's arguments. Their main reason given was that his frequent low blood pressure would add extra risk during surgery, and put the new kidney at risk for survival after the surgery. Losing that kidney would be terrible for Bob as well as Dave, who should certainly keep both his kidneys if there is such a high chance that the transplant would not work in the long run.
Bob is handling this news much better than I am, and he has a sense of relief at not having to face the surgery and all the follow-up drugs and treatments. I of course am inclined to want to get another opinion from another hospital, but he does not want to go through this process again, understandably. In a day or two when I settle down I will ask for more details about the decision from the kidney docs, just to help with closure on this subject. I am having a hard time accepting that this is the 'final answer', after all the ups and downs.
The idea of continuing on dialysis forever, with all the extreme diet and fluid limitations, is something we both have to come to terms with. Of course it's wonderful that people with kidney failure can continue to lead a fairly normal life with regular dialysis treatments, but it is hard on Bob's heart and we will have to adjust our thinking to accept it as a permanent lifestyle, and not just something to get past temporarily.
We continue to value and appreciate all of you in our life, and look forward to having more time to socialize, now that we will be spending less time at UCSF.
With love,
Cherie
Our 3-year rollercoaster ride on the way to a kidney transplant decision is finally over. We got the call late yesterday from our nurse-coordinator at UCSF telling us that the transplant selection committee has decided that a transplant is too risky for Bob, in spite of his cardiologist's arguments. Their main reason given was that his frequent low blood pressure would add extra risk during surgery, and put the new kidney at risk for survival after the surgery. Losing that kidney would be terrible for Bob as well as Dave, who should certainly keep both his kidneys if there is such a high chance that the transplant would not work in the long run.
Bob is handling this news much better than I am, and he has a sense of relief at not having to face the surgery and all the follow-up drugs and treatments. I of course am inclined to want to get another opinion from another hospital, but he does not want to go through this process again, understandably. In a day or two when I settle down I will ask for more details about the decision from the kidney docs, just to help with closure on this subject. I am having a hard time accepting that this is the 'final answer', after all the ups and downs.
The idea of continuing on dialysis forever, with all the extreme diet and fluid limitations, is something we both have to come to terms with. Of course it's wonderful that people with kidney failure can continue to lead a fairly normal life with regular dialysis treatments, but it is hard on Bob's heart and we will have to adjust our thinking to accept it as a permanent lifestyle, and not just something to get past temporarily.
We continue to value and appreciate all of you in our life, and look forward to having more time to socialize, now that we will be spending less time at UCSF.
With love,
Cherie
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