When we last left off, I had just received a letter telling me that I was officially on the paired kidney/pancreas transplant list. I had just finished healing my incision from where they installed the peritoneal dialysis catheter and was scheduled to start my training on September 11, 2017. The week leading up to it was a busy one. I was settled in with the idea of being on dialysis for the long haul and started planning my return to work. We had tickets for 2 concerts that week, and I was planning a family reunion for Sunday, September 10. I was really looking forward to it, and felt that I could settle into a new normal. In a way, that brought me some peace. I wasn’t expecting a call anytime soon, so I was less anxious and ready to take on my new life. They tell you to keep your phone handy, just in case, but I was prepared to be waiting months, even years for that call.
The morning of the reunion, I was preparing to leave the house and going over the to-do list in my head. I was in a great mood and was so excited to see everyone. It was the reunion of all reunions. I remember very specifically that I was sitting on my bed putting my socks on, when I looked down at my phone. 1 missed call. Oh shit, that’s a hospital number. I stared down at my phone, waiting to see if the voicemail icon would appear. I never missed hospital calls. There it was. 1 New Voicemail. It must be the dialysis clinic, calling to confirm my appointment tomorrow. I picked it up and dialed in, while putting my other sock on. It couldn’t be the transplant people, I’ve only been on the list for 10 days.
“This is the transplant unit at the foothills hospital, looking for Kari. If you could give us a call before noon on Sunday, September 10th and page the transplant doctor. Thank you.”
Holy shit.
I teared up, and carefully dialed the number with shaking hands. When they don’t reach me right away, they start going down the list of my other contacts. By the time they paged the doctor, I could barely hear her over the call waiting notifications coming through my line. They go through all of the risk factors with you on the phone, and ask if you would like the organs. Yes, please. They advise you not to eat, and that they’ll call back in 6-8 hours after some testing to let you know if you need to go to the hospital. You’ll need to come on an empty stomach, so don’t eat anything else today. Got it.
I was in such utter disbelief as I walked through the house looking for my husband. He was on the phone, but hung up when he saw my face. They have a kidney for me!
Holy shit.
We had 6-8 hours to kill, so we decided we would still go to the reunion. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face or the tears from my eyes the entire trip there. My immediate family already knew, but I decided not to tell anyone else until we got that second call just in case. I walked into my parents house and burst into tears as soon as I saw my mom’s face. We pulled ourselves together before the other guests arrived. I am still so grateful that I was surrounded by so many people that I love when that second call came. I quietly excused myself when I felt my phone ring in my pocket.
It’s go time! We all hugged, and cried, and then left for the hospital. It was 2 days before everything fell into place for the surgery to happen. We had waited, chatted, laughed, hugged, and played countless games of crib. We spoke about my wishes, should something go wrong. Before I knew it, they were rolling my stretcher down the basement halls of the hospital towards the operating room. You meet the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and get the run down on what will happen before they roll you in. You transfer to an operating table, which is a very narrow flat, uncomfortable table that has two arms for your arms. Many nurses are preparing you, and the room, and it all happens very fast.
I walked in not knowing what to expect, and what was to come. All I knew was that my life was about to change. It felt like a new beginning, the beginning of the rest of my life, and I was ready.
Ok, here we go! Counting down from 10, 9….8……….out.
Kari's Kidney 