Saturday, May 15, 2010

Unexpected turn of events

Robert J sends his apologies to his loyal readers for the absence of his promised posting today. Unfortunately after a very busy and fun week, he woke up this morning with an elevated temperature, aching head and body and all-around yucky feeling. We knew we needed to call the transplant team, and as we expected, they requested his presence in the Emergency Dept at UCSF right away.
We arrived pretty quickly, in spite of heavy Bay Bridge traffic for today's Giant's game. Within the first hour blood tests were in the works, and the initial diagnosis was a urinary tract infection. One of our favorite cardiac docs, Dr. Majure, was on duty so we got especially fast and personalized service. He ordered IV antibiotics right away and told Bob that he would be spending the night on the 10th floor, just to make sure this infection got knocked out right away. Since we are still in the very dicey first 6 months post-transplant, we have to expect, if not welcome, this kind of event.

When he is able, Bob will update you all on the rest of our mostly great week, as well as about the news we were not happy to hear: that he has the BK virus, something very common and very damaging to transplanted kidneys. So, more news to come, after this weekend's little challenge gets resolved and I get him back home where he belongs!
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1 comment:

  1. UnknownMay 16, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    Thinking about you guys! Take care and can't wait to hear that you're back at home. xo - Andy and Taryn Bliss

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RJ/Bob/Irv is a 61-year-old beloved husband, father, uncle, brother, motor racing fanatic, and Livermore resident who received a heart and kidney transplant in February of 2010. Bob's recent years have been defined by his health, which forced him into early retirement. Unfortunately, many of his days were spent in a dialysis center or at various medical appointments, primarily due to his living with diabetes for over 40 years. Numerous were panic visits to various Emergency Rooms all over California for treatment of chest pain. But now no more dialysis and no more late-night dashes to UCSF! The main focus of Bob's family, friends, and doctors has been a prompt transplant, so that he can get back to traveling with his Sweetie, driving fast cars, enjoying great music and laughing with his friends. This blog will function as a way to communicate with all interested parties and to keep everyone informed. And hopefully it can serve a great purpose also, in making people more aware of the importance of organ donation and how each life saved has a positive effect on dozens of related friends and relatives.