Decrease of Medications

Out of 9 medications, my doctor told me to stop 4. And hopefully that will help eliminate my anemia. 2 weeks ago, they told me that my hemoglobin went up from 9.1 to 9.5 (improvement), and my iron levels are fine so iron is not the cause of my anemia. The four that I don't have to take anymore are an anti-bacterial one, an anti-viral one, one to control cholesterol and one that was for high blood pressure. They will check my cholesterol in 3 months to see that it is still under control. Before my transplant, I was told that I'd have to have a biopsy of my new kidney 3 months after surgery and then again a year later. So I asked the doctor about that and he said that I won't need any biopsies because my new kidney was a perfect match and they don't feel they have to worry about rejection. That's great news. My blood draws have been switched from once a week to every 2 weeks. And in a few months, it will be switched to once a month.

Anti-K Antibodies

I just received a letter in the mail saying that on 3/11/09, (that was the day of my transplant pre-op) they found that I developed Anti-K Antibodies. It is not supposed to be something harmful but it is something that I developed because of my 2 blood transfusions. I had a total of 4 units and that means blood from 4 people. I just have to make sure that if I get another transfusion, it doesn't include the Kell Antigen. I guess this is better than developing HIV or Hepatitis from transfusions. But they scared me when the letter started off saying, in your recent blood test, we found that you have developed a new antibody. That sounded like I was rejecting my new kidney until I read on and figured out that it was harmless and caused by transfusions and the test was done before my transplant. Coming from the UC Davis Medical Center, I am not surprised that it took them 3 months to give me this information. I have had over 20 blood tests since my transplant, and the doctors refuse to give me even one printout of any of my results because they say they have too many patients and not enough time. I have to look over their shoulders when they see my results on their computers so I can write down my results. I am not paying 25 cents per sheet and waiting a year for medical records to let me have them. Last week, my transplant coordinator called me to say that my hemoglobin dropped from 10 to 9. So this Monday, they checked my iron levels and I am waiting to find out if I need extra iron or Epogen shots. I have gained 9 pounds and am now at my original weight from a year ago. It has been 1 year since I found out I needed a kidney transplant. I am very happy it's all in the past.