Mrs Malaprop's Kidney

So this may well be the last post.

I'm fine and Mr Propermal is fine. Both of us more than fine, considering only a month ago we were both on the high dependency ward just post op.

My life has pretty much returned to normal, not driving yet or vacuuming but more through choice. Have a clinic visit on Monday which will really just be a formality I'm sure.

Mr Propermal had his last staples out on Monday (6 days ago) so has been able to enjoy proper full up to the neck indulgent baths. His last visit to clinic on Thursday went so well that they only need to see him weekly now. His creatinine levels were 80 and all the other numbers were good.

Thrilled to bits with it all. To our friends and family, thank you.

To anyone reading this who is considering becoming a live donor - go for it and best of luck.

Have just got off the phone with Mr Propermal. He hasn't taken any pain relief at all today and neither have I. He is only using paracetemol now anyway, but of course does still have to take a handful of other pills. Mrs Propermal had a very busy day at work so he has been fending for himself, making porridge for breakfast, fixing himself lunch and previously banned snack of cheese on toast.

Back to clinic for him tomorrow, he needs an infusion of one the post transplant drugs, plus they will check various levels in his blood. He is just about ready to do a degree in pharmacy with the knowledge he has developed during all of this, whereas I tend to go a little blank.

I braved my first Spanish class, which went fine and I'm sitting typing this with no dressing on the wound at all. "Letting the air get at it" as my mum would have said. Felt a bit freaky at first, my imagination being a little to graphic at times - visions of goobly bits spilling out. But then as Mr P remarked, a little bit of plaster was hardly going to hold my guts in. Children of course thrilled to bits that I'm letting it all hang out. Luckily none of us is too squeamish.

Clinic visits went very well.

I have had my steri strips removed, and go back for one more check in a month. Then I won't need another check up for 6 months. Feel very good in myself, still quite tired, but napping when I need to.

Mr P continues to do awfully well, just one more visit to clinic this week. He will have every second staple removed next week, with the last of them removed the following week. His nurse said his wound is looking fine and that the mepore dressing provides enough protection for him to have a shower. Still working on his medicaton levels, which is normal at this stage.

Couldn't really wish for better results.

Mr Propermal is at home. Less than 10 days post op.

Mr Malaprop and I have an evening at home without children. Bliss.

Clinic on Monday for both Mr P and me.

Well Mr Propermal needed to have some drug levels tweaked so he couldn't go home today. But even if he can't go home for good tomorrow he is allowed to have weekend leave. So he will get a night in his own bed.

I had a bit a rough night last night. Sounds ridiculous, but the most uncomfortable part of this whole process has been the effect on my digestion! The opiate style painkillers just don't agree with me at all. Constipation and wind paining me more than the rapidly healing hole in my side. Now on no pain relief at all. Got fed up with even the taste of paracetemol.

Medicated myself today with Sheila Hancock's book "The Two of Us" which Mr Malaprop had ordered from the library for me after I'd seen her being her wonderful self on an interview on TV. Shocked though to find that she had never thought herself attractive as I think she is gorgeous. And not just because of the obvious intelligence that shines through her eyes.

My room smells of lush scented candle.

Took it as easy as possible today, slept in until 8.30 and avoided the getting ready for school rush. Made such a difference.

Had the wound dressed, it is still looking very healthy. Neither the doctor nor the nurse knew what the rash was, probably just my delicate 'princess and the pea' skin. I have to go in to the clinic on Monday to have the steri strips removed and they'll check it again then.

Apart from that still feeling very good. Mr Propermal was on great form, he might even be allowed to go home TOMORROW! Can't quite believe it is all going so well after all the worry and delays over the summer. We deserved some good luck. He is now counting down to his first proper deep bath in 3 years. Transplant technology is so cool.