Trip to Snowy Portland

(This photo is the view from the doctor's office window when we arrived...dark and covered in snow!)


Today we made an early morning trek to Portland to see Dr. Barry. He examined Brian and scheduled his "bilateral allograft nephrectomy" (removal of transplants) for January 12. Luckily, we were also able to complete all the required pre-op visits during this trip. Once again we realize how blessed we are to have access to the expertise of these wonderful doctors at OHSU...Dr. Barry has a very calming presence and we are so thankful for the part he will play in this journey. We appreciate your prayers as we prepare for the surgery and recovery :)



(This is snow-covered El Pollo Loco...LUNCH!!)

December Doctor Visit

We saw Dr. Wahba today. As always, he wants to know exactly how Brian has been feeling. Truth is...not very good lately. His blood pressure is very difficult to control...he's having constant headaches...he's very tired...his appetite is poor, resulting in a failure of our attempt to fatten him up. (I have offered several times to be his donor for a fat transplant...but apparently we are not compatible - LOL!!)

Dr. Wahba feels that much of the recent downturn is due to actual rejection of the transplant. This is likely because of reduction in the immunosuppression after dialysis began. He has been very patient with our decision to wait on the removal of the transplants, but is happy that we are moving ahead with this step now. He feels that Brian's overall well-being will improve when the kidneys are gone. As mentioned in the previous post, we will be seeing the surgeon at OHSU at the end of December. The actual removal of the old "kids" should take place soon after the first of the year. Until then...please send all your unwanted calories to Brian and I will be sure not to open any of the envelopes!!!