Last weekly trip to Atlanta

Hi from Susan and I and we hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was the quick trip to Jacksonville and it was good to see Turk and Joanna as well as her parents. We had dinner at the Kisleys and they put together a special feast.
Turk really is starting to look good and although he still has some discomfort, his tests went well and it's just the slow process of healing. What a great person he is to have gone through all of this for somebody else.
After Monday's visit to Atlanta we won't have to go back for two weeks and then after Christmas every month. Every odd month for a while after that we can go to an Emory satellite clinic in Savannah which is only 45 minutes away. That will be a welcome change from the 5 plus hour drive now.
Hope you all are well and having a pleasant Holiday season.
Scott

Off to Atlanta again

We're about to leave to drop off Kidney at the spa. She knows something is up because of the packed bags and probably will refuse to get in the car without coaxing. She hates to have us leave her.
Turk is waiting to get back word on some tests. Still not too comfortable and anxious to get back to work. We're hoping he is 100% very soon. He doesn't deserve to have any discomfort.
I have lost about 20 lbs of the water and need to lose another 10 at least. Feeling much less winded and sleeping better.
One more weekly trip after this week and then every two weeks for a while. They monitor the various levels very carefully and that will probably be for years to come.
Got word last night that we can stay at Mason House again tonight. Happy about that.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everybody. It will be a special one for me as few people have as much to be thankful for as I do.

Mondays in Atlanta

Sunday PM we left Kidney at the spa and headed to Atlanta for my 7:20AM appointment Monday morning. We went in Susans car with no GPS but I remembered the way. Thus the 5 plus hour trip was closer to 7. Downtown Atlanta and Decatur are really nice. Stayed over at the Mason house and met some more interesting people. One was a 9 month old baby who had a heart transplant at the age of 19 days !! Another was a guy who was put on the nationwide transplant list with 68,000 people ahead of him. He got called 2 days later with a perfect match--unheard of.
Three or four hours at the clinic with lab tests shots and consultations. All seems to be going well but I do need to shed 20 lbs of water.
Turk is having some difficulty and found a half day at work was pretty painful. It seems so unfair that he should be suffering and I'm not. I'll keep you up on his progress which I hope will be rapid. What a great guy he is.
We'll be driving back to Atlanta the next two Sundays then it will be every other week.
Thanks for your cards and best wishes. We are blessed with a wonderful bunch of friends.
Scott

This week

I have been trying to add a few pictures but without success. So I'll take a stab at filling you in on the first week home. As you know Turk came home with us and is doing well but still has some discomfort. We hope Joanna will be here by dinner time and they'll head back to Jax tomorrrow.
Our first outing was on Wednesday as the result of a call and invitation to attend a breakfast at a local restraunt to welcome Mitt Romney. We took a picture with Mitt and he thought it was "wonderful" that Turk had given me the kidney. I already knew that he is a very impressive guy but I was encouraged that Turk and Susan as well as much of the croud who had'nt yet heard him, were impressed.
Outside travel is interesting due to our customary attire of sweat pants and slippers. In my case at least it is the only thing that will fit. I have lost a little over 10 lbs of the 30 I gained in water during the procedure. All of this is expected but a little tiring hauling it around.
Turk and I took a drive yesterday and checked out the New River Auto Mall where Turk checked out some new wheels for Joanna who is looking for something for her new job which will require plenty of driving.
Went out today for some supplies and were happy to see the Cannons who dropped over with some lovely flowers.
We will driving back to Atlanta on Sunday for an early Monday appointment with the doctor. These weekly visits will last till December, then decrease in frequency. Turk evidently is all done and no follow ups are necessary.
We all love to read your comments and you have all made this experience that much more rewarding. We sincerely thank you.
Scott

Blog Story

Talked with my daughter Laura this evening and she told me a cute story about the blog. Seems Laura was fretting about not having gotten around to calling me today to one of her coworkers. Her friend said don't worry everything is fine, he is home and doing well. She told Laura she had just read the blog. It's a great big small world isn't it ?
Scott

We're Home !!!

Can you believe it? Here we are back in Hilton Head and what a welcome site the bridge was when we returned. I had an appointment with the surgical staff Monday and although we are all aware that I have to shed about 30 pounds of fluid they were reassuring that it might take a couple of weeks. Plenty of walking and for a change plenty of fluids. All other signs were good and we were given our escape papers. I mentioned that I had not been taking pain meds and would like their permission to drive . She reluctantly said ok. We packed up and left the wonderful Mason House a little after 12. I drove. The whole point of the return trip of course was to arrive at the vets in time to pick up Miss Kidney. She turned inside out a couple of times when released and was especially glad to see Turk. Turk by the way had decided to stay over a few extra days because he is allergic to their cat "Mister" and he is not a big fan of sneezing right now. Joanna will be coming up from Jacksonville on Friday to take him home.
I apologize for not contributing to the blog over the past few days but with very frequent interuptions throughout the night I have been pretty tired. Today however I am beginning to feel pretty good and walking is becoming easier. I have missed 5 dialysis treatments ( that's about 25 hours worth and 5 pretty much lost days ) I can eat everything but grapefruit and drink as much as I want. By drink I mean non booze because although they say a drink or two is ok I have chosen to do everything I possibly can to protect Turk's precious gift, so booze is out.
We have been so fortunate in having been steered towards Emory and the transplant unit there. They are terrific. I will be driving back to Atlanta (5 hours)weekly for the next 6 weeks, then less frequently until eventually I will see the team when they come to Savannah every other month. Taking the meds and seeing the docs is critical so we won't miss either.
Mason House as we have previously mentioned is very special. What a wonderful gift from the Mason family and what a positive effect on so many people. The people who run it are pleasant,helpful and seem dedicated to the guests and their families.
From Turk's and my prospective, Joanna and Susan were beyond belief in their support and care for their recovering husbands. They worried and prayed together and were there every minute to comfort and sustain us both. We're forever in their debt and we hope to be able to reciprocate if ever asked.
And all of you ! What an exceptional group of wonderful friends who have prayed for and supported us over the past 10 or so days. The blog turned out so well as a means of mutual support and for me a least seems like an extended family. Thanks for joining in and we're looking forward to seeing every one of you soon.
Thanks Turk, Joanna and Susan for your uodates. You filled much better than I could have.
And Turk--With everybody tuned in you know how I feel about your decision to give me this precious gift. You not only gave me back a life but as we saw today you have added years to it. I'll try my best to make every day of it worthwhile and worthy of your selfless decision.
" The success of our lives will be written by your deeds"
We are so proud of you Turk and forever in your debt.

Dad