August 19, 2009

Hi everbody, we are in Boston. We got here Tuesday and had 1 appointment for Bridge at the infectious disease doctor. Before this I dropped off all my"samples" to the lab and then had my blood drawn. At the infectious disease doctor, they went over all the things that Bridge should not eat or be exposed to after transplant, a common cold, etc. They also went over her immunizations as well as what shots they want before transplant. She will get 3 shots today and then 3 on Friday. We were at the hospital from about 10am to 3 pm. We then proceded to check into our hotel which was located about 7/10 of a mile from the hospital. We walked into our room and then quickly walked back out, it was gross. We then called the Marriot which was very close. We programmed it in to our navatigation system which then proceded to take us all through Boston, we got to the new hotel in 1 hour and it was literally a stone through from the old hotel. Needless to say we all had a drink after this one. Today is Wed and we had our first appointment at 7:45. It was called a VCUG test. This test involves inserting a catheter into bridgette and then filling her bladder with a warm solution and then under radiology can view if her kidneys have any reflux which they do. We saw the urologist after this and he informed us tht he wouldn't have to do surgery to have her native kidneys removed, that he could do it at the time of transplant. (All kidney patients that have reflux have to have surgery to remove there kidneys prior to transplant.) We were so happy because we thought that she would need surgery. Then we proceded to see the transplant surgeon about 1 hour later and he stated that he spoke with the urologist and he wants Bridgette to have surgery prior to transplant. He states that he doesn't want to have to think about anything else but transplant. He states that Bridgette will be under for about 6 hours and doesn't want to have her under any longer than that. Tentative date is set for the 10th of September, they can't get her in any sooner will call us if they can. Bridgette will be in the hospital for this procedure for 4-5 days and transplant will be for 2 weeks if no complications. We are so bummed, we got our hopes up to quickly after the urologist. We haven't told Bridge yet, we will when we get in the comforts of our home. She will be upset about missing school, not the surgery so much but school. We have another 1.5 hours until we are done with dialysis in Boston and then onward home, we should be back aroun 7pm tonight.
That is all for now
Megan and Mark