Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => The Coffee Corner => Topic started by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 25, 2020, 05:07:18 pm

Title: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 25, 2020, 05:07:18 pm
I didn't want to post it in the other Pharmacy thread, since my photo isn't very inspiring. II'm posting here for those who are curious what it is like after a kidney transplant.

It is now almost three weeks since the surgery, and the kidney is slowing coming to life. My wife has nicknamed it "Sleepy Joe."
I'm under house arrest for at least two months, even if there weren't Coronavirus to worry about. I have  blood work and checkups twice a week, and tomorrow I get an ultrasound of the kidney. I do get out for short walks on nice days, but I am pretty weak, 'though getting a bit stronger every day.

The meds I take daily include three immunosuppression drugs, an anti-viral, an anti-bacterial, and a few others.
Each morning I take from 20 to 22 pills, and every afternoon and evening I take another 14 pills.

So here is my personal pharmacy:
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: armand on March 25, 2020, 05:17:35 pm
I take it it's still recent, later they might be able to take off one or two.

Remember, it could always be worse, see attached. The glove is for scale, and no, not all those meds were needed.
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: LesPalenik on March 25, 2020, 05:18:29 pm
Eric,

good to hear about your successful surgery, take it easy now.
Wishing you a soon recovery,

Les
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: KLaban on March 25, 2020, 05:22:22 pm
Eric, here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

Stay safe.

Keith
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Rob C on March 25, 2020, 07:01:25 pm
Good luck with the pills; man's best friend, as several of us here have found to be the case, and why we are able to post.

Rob
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 25, 2020, 07:20:58 pm
Thanks, all.

And for Armand: Yes, they have already started reducing some of them. I started Prograf (immunosuppression) at 6 pills in the morning and 6 at night. It is already down to 6 in the morning and a mere 5 at night.  :)
And the Prednisone (another immunosuppressive) is to be reduced soon.

Can't do much photography yet, though. But since my Brookline Senior Center exhibit is up but closed, I am preparing an online version for my website. I'll let you all know when it's ready.

Best, Eric
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: RSL on March 25, 2020, 07:41:04 pm
Hang in there, Eric. We need you in LuLa.
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: James Clark on March 25, 2020, 09:09:47 pm
Hi Eric - so glad things are going well so far!
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: stevenfr on March 25, 2020, 10:08:07 pm
Eric

I hope your recovery continues and you can put this behind you as quickly as possible.

I wish you all the best.

Steven
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Frans Waterlander on March 26, 2020, 01:10:41 am
Wishing you all the best as well.
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: francois on March 26, 2020, 06:51:00 am
So glad that you got a transplant. Hope you recover as soon as possible.
Stay safe!
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 26, 2020, 06:59:22 am
Speedy recovery, Eric!
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Dale Villeponteaux on March 26, 2020, 09:39:26 am
Actually, the slow recovery of the kidney function
is a good sign. And the pills are better than
hours of dialysis.

I'm glad you're recovering.

Regards,
Dale
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 26, 2020, 01:06:30 pm
Thanks a lot, guys!

Actually, my recovery is being supplemented by dialysis, but with slightly shorter sessions than before (3.5 hours instead of 4.)
Today my wife drove me to Mass General Hospital for more tests: blood work and ultrasound looking at my new kidney. I'll get results this evening.

We both wear masks and gloves when going to the hospital to lessen the risk of Covid19 infection. Some of my discussions with the nephrologist will be by telephone, but it's not easy to draw blood or do an ultrsound via Skype or Zoom.

You guys all please stay healthy too.

-Eric
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Peter McLennan on March 26, 2020, 07:47:07 pm
Your daily regimen puts me to shame. I was whining about my three pills.
Amazing story, Eric.  Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: kers on March 27, 2020, 07:24:11 am
Eric, wish you a quick recovery after this complex body part replacement...
Amazing it is possible.
I never take any pills... yet...
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Jim Pascoe on March 27, 2020, 08:26:06 am
Makes my daily statin look small-fry.

Best wishes

Jim

Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on March 27, 2020, 04:17:19 pm
Thanks for the kind words, guys.

And note: My mother lived to 106 years old. For the last ten years or more, she never took a single pill!
I wish I could say the same.

-Eric
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Arlen on April 02, 2020, 08:23:16 pm
Great news, Eric! I'm so happy that you finally got the transplant. Now make good use of it.  :)
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: petermfiore on April 03, 2020, 04:24:07 am
Hi Eric,

I wish you all the good the world and beyond can give...you are a special man. I always have and will continue look forward to your insight and level headedness.

Take care, you can do this new journey.

Best,

Peter
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on April 03, 2020, 11:25:25 am
Thanks a lot, Peter.
It's getting better little by little every day, but slowly.
When I was told there was a kidney for me, I was thrilled, of course. And I knew I would essentially but stuck at home for at least a couple of months. But I never imagined that the rest of the world would soon be on lock-down, too.

I just hope we can all get through this with good health and with our sense of humor intact.

-Eric
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Cem on April 03, 2020, 04:42:30 pm
Hi Eric,

Just hang in there. We are rooting for you. Get well soon.

Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on April 04, 2020, 10:02:54 am
Thanks, Cem.
It is slow progress, but moving in the right direction.

Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: BernardLanguillier on April 05, 2020, 02:20:27 am
Hi Eric,

I had somehow overlooked this thread.

First congratulations on the transplant!

Second hang in there! Although I have never experienced such a recovery myself, I can imagine that it's made of ups and downs but I am sure you have the strength to keep going.

Best of luck from Tokyo.

Kind regards,
Bernard
Title: Re: My Pharmacy -- after Kidney transplant
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on April 05, 2020, 11:59:44 am
Thanks for the kind words, Bernard.
Recovery is slow, as expected, but going in the right direction.
Most of my discomforts are the result of the meds fighting each other. Thayadjust the dosages about once a week, based on twice-weekly blood test.

Please stay healthy!

Best wishes,
Eric