We were warned that recovery would be filled with ups and downs and over the last week and a half that has been very much the case for Max and I. We both have struggled a bit with the healing process of our incisions. Max’s incision or as we like to call “battle scar” is 7″ long and is located on the right side of his torso, mine is not as impressive. Much the same we both are feeling our fair share of tenderness and nerve pain as we start to heal. I am still feeling a bit fatigued but this is to be expected and in time that should get better as my system gets use to having one kidney. We are both learning that water and rest are vital parts to the healing process. Wet kidneys are healthy kidneys as the doctors say; so Max has a daily water goal of 3-4 liters of water a day. Our family created a water challenge to encourage water intake, the boys in my household like a good competition so its been fun to see who gets the water trophy each day.

We are still traveling 3 times a week to Milwaukee for lab work and follow up clinic visits. Max’s kidney function has been going up and down so they have been adjusting his medications. These first few months will involve a lot of changes to Max’s medication regime until they can figure out what will work best for him going forward. We have to be especially cautious of the immunosuppressants that Max is taking, so they are checking that level with bloodwork 3 days a week. If the level is too low Max could start rejecting my kidney, if the level is too high the kidney could be damaged. We are also starting to see effects of some of the medications that Max is taking. He has been experiencing some leg muscle pain, shakiness, GI/intestinal symptoms, increased appetite, puffiness in his face and restlessness. So far though, he is handling it all like a champ!!

We are managing the drives down to Milwaukee; Max is getting plenty of reading time and I am starting to feel better so that I can start driving. Unfortuntaly with COVID we aren’t able to make the trip to Milwaukee more of a family affair, so Grayson is at daycare on the days we travel. We are still trying to figure out the rhythm with each passing day and we are doing our best with not getting too anxious of how to plan as we go forward. We are so, so grateful of the love, support, prayers and generosity that our family recieves. Thank you for joining us on this journey! ~Kelly