Friday around 6: 30 am - Turk is being taken from the waiting room into the pre-op. Exchanging hugs and kisses...with gentle and loving smile he is anxiously walking away. Mom and I....not so much.... tears; how overwhelming this was!

7:27 am - The waiting room board announces Turk is in the operating room (very nifty- informs when patient is taken to the operating room and then to the recovery room).

9:30 am - Turk is still in the operating room and Dad is asked to come into the pre-op facility. Mom and I go with him to keep him company. Moments later we say our goodbyes and the nurse asks Dad if he needs any help with walking. Dad responds: "no I can walk by myself". He walked swiftly and with anticipation. Mom says that she has not seen Dad walk this fast in a long time; we giggled.... Dad is finally going to get his long anticipated kidney. Boy, this is going to be a long day....

10:30 am - The OR Nurse calls the waiting room. Mom is downstairs (we are taking turns to smoke) and I pick up the phone. "We have the kidney", she says, "both guys are doing fabulously". Relieved I ask when Turk will be taken to the recovery room, the board still shows he is in the OR. The nurse explains that it will be about 30 minutes before they stitch Turk up...the kidney needs to be delivered next door to the recipient - Dad. I share the news with Mom....we are relieved that everything is going well.

11:15 am - Turk is out of the OR getting settled in the recovery room, but Mom and I cannot see him for another two hours...we are waiting anxiously.

1:00 pm - Mom and I are on the way to see Turk and we learn that Dad was taken to the recovery room. Turk is cracking jokes...we visit for few minutes, Turk is doing great. On the way out from the recovery room we ask a nurse on update on Dad. His new kidney is working but Dad is having problems with blood pressure and heart rate. He is given medication. No concrete news, we are asked to wait in the waiting room. Mom and I are very worried.

About two hours later, mom insists on seeing Dad. She is taken to the recovery room, I stay behind. Dad is stabilized but now his new kidney stops working. Doctors are going to have a meeting and a decision will be made as to what will be done next. The word is that an ultrasound may be ordered to check for blood clots. Emotions intensify and all of the sudden it is very hard for both of us....we hang on ...and wait...and wait....and wait....

Another hour passes, Mom has had it! She insists on seeing Dad again. (Don't mess with Mom!) We both go to see him. Poor Dad. I see him in pain and we still do not know what is next. Doctor explains that the pain is normal and he has been given pain medication. They are trying to keep him as comfortable as they can. Still no ultrasound results.

About 45 minutes later we learn that the ultrasound showed no blood clots. Relieved, Mom and I are waiting for more information. The doctor comes out into the waiting room and sits right across from us. He explains that everything looks normal and that the kidney is a little bit lazy. He explains that this happens in 20% of transplants. He further elaborates.... the kidney is bonding with its new environment. We are joking-the kidney is bonding with Dad. The doctor spent 15 minutes answering all of our questions and concerns...we feel much better as all was very reassuring and positive under the circumstances. Doctor decides that Dad will be spending the night in ICU. He will be monitored.

Mom and I go to see Turk. He already knows that Dad's kidney is not working. He is very disappointed but we explain that this happens. Mom and I say "good night" to Turk.

Mom and I go home; The Mason House (approx. 2 miles from the hospital). It's hard to fall asleep but we are exhausted.

12:30 am - Barely after we fell to sleep Mom receives a phone call from Dad. (Dad convinced the nurse in ICU to give him her cell phone so he can call his wife). Dad announces that the kidney started working. Mom calls me and shares the news. We are exited! "It's about time Turks kidney started to get along with Dad!" We got some good sleep.

Saturday

8 am - Mom calls ICU Nurses Station to check if Dad is still doing well. The kidney is working. We call Turk to let him know that Dad is doing well and the kidney is functioning. Turk says that the doctors already told him the news. The docs said that Dad is grouchy so he must be doing better. We laugh...


We visit Dad in ICU about 11 am. He is doing much better. Dad is watching FOX News. He looks bored but feels better. We are glad to see him.

We visit Turk and he is moving around. We spend some time together and Mom goes to the 5th floor (ICU) to visit Dad. Turk and I are taking a stroll (he has to move around per doctor orders). He says: "Let's go downstairs to see Dad, no one will notice we left". I'm apprehensive. I call Mom to let her know we are on the way down. She loves the idea; Turk will see his father for the first time after the surgery. Our favorite two guys are reunited! This feels good. We are happy and thankful that things are okay.

Tomorrow Mom and I will visit Dad and Turk early. If everything goes well Turk may be coming home and Dad will be transferred from ICU to the 9th floor where he will be more comfortable.

- We will keep you posted....

Thank you for all the prayers!

Love,

Joanna and Susan