One Month

(Due to the graphic nature of the below photo, viewer discretion is advised for this post. Don’t say I didn’t warn you... You know you want to look.)

24 hours a day.

365 days a year.

‘B’idney

by any sensible measure

has a preposterously tough job.

January 9th marks one month from the big day when I received Brian’s kidney (‘B’idney), which now lives inside me amidst a bunch of female anatomy. I think ‘B’idney has hunkered down and is finally adjusting to being dominated by estrogen. I’m still in recovery mode, but the last few days I feel like I can hear my body telling me it’s getting stronger. Stronger, taller, livelier. Mischievous. Horny (thanx 'B'idney).

The kidneys perform the essential function of removing waste products from the blood and regulating the water fluid levels, blood pressure, electrolytes…the list goes on. My creatinine (not to be confused with creatine) level has hopefully stabilized to 1.2. The creatinine level in our blood reflects kidney function and how well the kidney is filtering all the toxins out. A normal person’s range is from .9 to 1.4. When I was on dialysis, it was at a whopping 12.9. It’s true. I felt like a large pile of turd.

‘B’idney in an ice bath getting cleaned up for the move in.

For transplant patients, particularly kidney recipients, the first 3 months is critical to whether my body will accept the kidney or not. Anything not part of the original formula is considered a foreign object, which the body will try to seek and destroy. Hence all the immuno-suppressants I’m on to trick my body that ‘B’idney is a friend, not foe. Our bodies really are an amazing machine. So tough, yet so fragile. It’s sacred like a temple, yet built like an artillery tank.

My lifesaver, Brian and Me

Keep it up, ‘B’idney. We’re one month in and going strong! You’ve got quite a fan club, the biggest one being me! Love you and thanking you for keeping me alive!