Dana Daily

Sal's creatinine is down from 18 (at check-in), 13 (yesterday), and 7 (this morning). Kidney is functioning really well. A hematoma developed near the kidney, but it’s not unexpected and they’ll watch it. Hopefully his body will absorb it, otherwise it’ll have to be surgically drained. Doesn’t seem to be huge concern for anyone. We should have a home health nurse coming in daily for blood draws and whatever, but agencies are understaffed so it sounds like we’re going to have to drive back and forth to the hospital for a few days/weeks. We met with the pharmacist and social worker today. Went over post transplant life at home. It’s daunting, but once we adapt to the new routine, I think it’ll be okay. Because kidney function is so good already, he gets to start off on a lower dose of anti-rejection meds (12 pills a day. We were trying to remember but he thinks the first time he went through this they had him taking 18). While he was on dialysis, he fought high phosphorus all the tim...

Everything is looking great with Sal’s new kidney. It’s working, he feels good, and they’re switching him from a clear liquid diet to solid foods. PT and OT were here to get him out of bed and walking (which went well). His creatinine levels have already dropped from 18 to 13. That’s significant and a good indicator of kidney function. I was able to bring Seth to the hospital today to visit Sal as well. I think it was good for both of them. Sal misses all of us, and it was good for Seth to see that Sal is doing well.

4:00pm - arrive at the hospital 5:38 - wheeled back for surgery 8:42 - surgeon called - Sal out of surgery 10:14 - hospital called with room number (834)

This evening was practice for First Communion. It was a little rough at first, but after a couple of tries, the kids got it down. The seven of them will process into the church and place flowers in a vase by the statue of Mary. Then they will enter the pews and sit in their designated location.  Three of the children will present the gifts, and to make it fair, names were drawn out of a hat for this. Seth was not one of them, and while he would have loved to take up the gifts, he didn't seem overly disappointed (even though I was). He will be the second child to receive Communion. After Mass they will process out of the church and return for pictures with Father Orr and others. This is such a milestone and we are all so excited for him. 

In a moment of brilliance, it occurred to me that we could rent Seth's suit for First Communion, and that's exactly what we did. We had stopped in at Men's Warehouse in April, we made our selections, and they took his measurements. Today they called and said his suit had arrived in-store and that we could stop in for his final fitting. He looks so adorably handsome.

This was not my holiday, but Sarah and her dad were working. Due to her soccer injury, Emily could not so she spent the day with us instead. A change of plans she was quite happy about. We had a great meal at my sister's and then I dropped Emily off for a meal at her dad's. It was a good compromise.

Sarah turned 16 today at 2:56pm and also passed her permit test. I remember looking at her as a baby thinking she was going to be the death of me before she went to kindergarten, and well, here we are. A sophomore in high school and driving. Amazing.