Hello Everyone,

I've had a good day. I have dialysis on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 4 1/2 hours. I am supposed to take it very easy the remainder of the day. It is very hard on your organs and I am usually very tired the rest of the day. I have had no side effects that people sometimes get.

I have blood work every Wednesday after dialysis. Then, I have clinic every other Thursday morning. I also have physical therapy every Tuesday and Thursday late afternoon. I am not allowed to exercise on the day of dialysis.

As far as my status on the transplant, when I left the hospital, they told me if I was just getting a liver, it would be about 2 weeks. I also need a kidney. The liver and kidney will come from the same donor. It will take longer for the liver-kidney because they have an age limit on the donor
for the kidney. They have less problems with a younger kidney than an older one. As a result,
the wait will be longer. They told me, probably weeks not months, since my numbers are so high.

I actually started feeling better on Wednesday this week. I feel good, even though I'm tired. I have no pain to complain about, just muscles aching. They decreased my medications which also could be a reason I'm feeling much better. Actually I feel like a different person compared to what I felt like at home.

On Wednesday I woke up feeling good, and my parents ask if I want to go to St. Augustine. I said YES. It was a 30 minute drive along the ocean to get there. We got on a open air tour bus ( I couldn't walk that far) and we had a very thorough 90 minute tour. It was wonderful to get out for the day.

The most difficult thing for me has been eating. They told me I was to malnourished for my surgery, so I'm expected to eat 2200 calories a day and a good amount of protein at every meal.
I have restrictions on sodium, potassium and phosphorus. My diet could taste much better, but after the surgery I'll be able to eat what I want! I wasn't a big meat eater, and I probably only ate aout 1200 calories a day. This has been my biggest adjustment. Could be much worse.

So in the end, I am thankful to God for:
No side effects from the dialysis.
NO PAIN
Feeling better than I have for at least 2-3 months
Giving me a beautiful day at St. Augustine
Enabling me to eat my calories for the day
The work and sacrificing of time of my friends and family
The blanket of love and prayers coming from everywhere!

I have been reading the blog and their is no way to say how much I appreciate what everyone is doing for me!! Again, I feel so blessed and loved.

I MISS ALL OF YOU.

As long as I'm feeling good , I will update you.

Love in Christ,
JOY (still smiling!)