History

Sunday, March 27, 2005 4:48 PM CST

Dear Friends and Family
I am scheduled to be released on Tuesday afternoon and will hopefully arrive home on Wednesday. I feel stronger and better every day and ready to dance through life. The doctors warn me to stay away from crowds for about three months which will get harder as I grow stronger. And just so some of you will know, I am insisting Tom go to Jazz Fest without me. He needs to return to Mecca, I mean New Orleans for some well deserved rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. He has really worked overtime to care for me, his Mom, his business and our demanding felines.
I am also happy to report that my brother is returning to normal - well that being normal for him and he is really anything but normal. The laproscopic removal of his right kidney was the 35th one ever performed. His doctor at UAB invented a clamp which allows for laproscopic removal of the right kidney instead of open surgery which greatly reduces recovery time. Hurrah for UAB and medical research and advances.
I elected to test an experimental immunosuppressive drug and have enjoyed the special attention and care from the research people as well. So don't laugh at me when I turn purple and grow a tail.
With mistakes happening in medical treatment, you are now asked any number of times during the day and on the way to surgery: What is your name? What are you here for? When they rolled my brother into surgery, his surgeon asked What he was in for? His answer was, "I want to remove my right kidney. Do you think you could give me a hand?"
Since he returned to New York, I have found myself waking at 3:00 am. I thought to ask my bro, what time he began his morning meditation to which he would answer 4:00 am. I told him that his right kidney was awakening at the same time and felt the need to chant "Sat Nam." Today when I spoke with he and his wife, I said, I'm sorry but your right kidney missed morning meditation." To which his wife answered "So did his left." We seem to be inextricably linked. I'm just glad to have received the meditating kidney and not the passion for chocolate chip cookies.
Well, this should be my final entry as I am well on my way to being healthy for the first time in a long time. I do not have the correct words to express the thrill I have gotten from all your calls, emails, prayers, cards, gifts, and good wishes. I cannot image anyone any more blessed and happy at this stage of life than myself. At lunch the other day when my big bro and myself were wearing our transplant tee shirts, my brother broke into tears and then laughter at the big black letters "Gift of Life." It is truly the greatest gift. Now I feel real pressure to go out and do great things.
I just know that I am currently the luckiest person on the plant - actually I meant planet. Thanks to you all for being my buddies.
I love you one and all.

Friday, March 18, 2005 5:57 PM CST

Friends & Family:
You are all the best! I have never felt so loved - getting support from so many of you. (Please ignore the typos. My fingers and brain are not currently connected and typing seems alien at the moment.)
My dear big bro went back to New York City yesterday. He looks very fit and can move mountains or climb them whichever may come first. He has been wonderful throughout this experience which could not have happened without him or the outstanding support and care from his saintly spouse.
I am in the Townhouse and feeling outstanding. Although I have heard it said that a transplant patient begins to feel better almost immediately, I did not believe it was possible until it happened to me. I wake, without nausea, and actually feel energized to greet the day.
I feel so very blessed to know and have known the most spectacular group of people on the planet. There is no other time I would have wanted to live in or friends I would have wanted to have. It brings tears to my eyes the warm wishes, calls, cards, gifts, emails, etc., that Tom and I have received from old friends and new. It is especially grand to have had the "honor and privilege" of having my son stay with me through the first week taking care of me and writing the journal entries, to have had my beautiful daughter taking time out from lawyering to be here, to have girl friends from college taking precious time from jobs to be here with me, to have former students checking in, and a great husband lending his support through this experience.
Thanks everyone. I look forward to communicating with each of you when I am removed from these "Jim Morrison" supplements.
Since things are going so well and I am expecting to be released around Tuesday, March 29th, we will have one last posting of a picture of SJS and myself in the nifty tee shirts we got as Donor and Gift of Life recipient from UAB. Feel free to still leave messages. I will check it on the occasions of having access to a computer.
May God, the goddess and the guru bless you all!
Love to the best friends in the whole world,
kay

Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:38 AM CST

Kay was released from the hospital yesterday and has taken up residence in the UAB Townhome. All of the tubes, hoses, things that go ping and other add-on attachments have been removed from her person as she is free to roam the streets of B'ham. "I got no strings to hold me down to...dah dah dah... somethin somethin" Kay should remain in B'ham for periodic observation from UAB doctors and extra-terrestrial lifeforms for about two more weeks. Kay plans to spend her time working on her new Jim Morrison diet of pills and liquor.

Sat Jivan has postponed his return to New York for a few more days. He is still mourning the loss of his kidney "Blessed" and plans to spend a little more time retelling old-kidney stories to Kay's belly. We all hope Sat Jivan will soon be up and able to return to his pursuit of Tiger Woods and the World's number one ranking that has just eluded him for so long.

-Charley

Sunday, March 13, 2005 4:36 PM CST

Kay is steadily being disconnected from medical equipment. She is down to but a few tubes and will likely be released from the hospital tomorrow. Kay is moving around the hospital corridors quite well now and is eating a lot more than just pills, although there are a lot of them.

Sat Jivan is doing great. He has been out of the hospital oinly a couple of days now and has already been to a wedding reception and wandering other parts unknown to the author.

-Charley

Friday, March 11, 2005 2:57 PM CST

Sat Jivan has been discharged from the hospital and now resides in the UAB Townhome. Hurray!! One down, one to go.

Kay is doing very well and it looks more and more likely that she will be discharged to the Townhome on Sunday.

Kay wishes to thank all of you for your words of support and vows to return all of your messages when she has access to a computer.

-Charley

Friday, March 11, 2005 8:51 AM CST

Both Sat Jivan and Kay are doing well. Sat Jivan may be released from the hospital today and take up residence within the UAB townhome. Sat Jivan is still walking about and getting better but is still sore.

Kay's doctor said that she is doing well. She managed to take four walks yesterday and was removed from the pain reliever pump. She is now getting used to eating real food and taking her pain pills. Rumor has it Kay may also get to go to the UAB townhome by this coming Monday.

-Charley

Thursday, March 10, 2005 2:34 PM CST

Kay has successfully completed two walkabouts today. She seems to have the IV Pole shuffle down to a tee. She still can't keep up with the wheelchair boys, but she is getting there. Kay has not had any nausea today and is looking great!

Sat Jivan has been up to visit his little sister a couple of times today. SJ and Kay were comparing surgery incisions and compariung notes on dry-mouth, hospital service, food and the like.

We have been reading through the kidney transplant recovery books. One thing is for sure, if you think you are getting sick stay away from Kay. She will be very receptive to germs for the next few months on account of the immuno-repressive drugs she will be taking so her body won't reject her new kidney.

Feel free to continue posting your thoughts on the guestbook. I try and take the messages to the hospital every day or two. Thanks to all for your kind words.

-Charley

Thursday, March 10, 2005 9:00 AM CST

Kay and SJ are getting better each day. Kay went for her first short walk this morning. The physical therapist says she is doing great and should have at least 3 more walks today.

SJ walked up to Kay's room this morning without assistance or a wheelchair. He was a little winded and allowed his lovely wife to wheel hime back to his room. The doctors have told him they would like to boot him out of the hospital today. SJ told them to go to heck and brandished his sword furiously.

-Charley

Wednesday, March 9, 2005 4:37 PM CST

Sat Jivan Singh has been sited roaming the halls of UAB. SJ took a quick stroll to see Kay and his old kidney earlier this afternoon. SJ continues to get better and may be released from the hospital tomorrow or Friday.

Kay has been removed from the step-down room and moved to her own private room. Kay is improving but is still quite nauseous and sore. A gang of doctors invaded her private room this afternoon and reported that her kidney screening results indicate that her new kidney is working well. Good News!

Appears that everyone's prayers and well wishes are paying off. Thanks so much to everyone and keep the positive vibes coming.

-Charley

Wednesday, March 9, 2005 11:32 AM CST

Both Kay and Sat Jivan are great!

Sat Jivan has been sitting up in bed this morning showing everyone his new staples and band-aid. It is amazing how small the incisions to remove the kidney are. Sat Jivan is in great spirits and looking good, as good as Sat Jivan can look anyway, har-har.

Kay's color has returned and is much more alert and talkative this morning. She is still a little nauseous and very uncomfortable, but appears to be recovering on schedule. Not sure she will be ready for any big 5K races anytime soon. Hopefully, she will be moved from the step down room to a normal room soon. Visiting hours are still limited in the step down room she currently inhabits (roughly 15 minutes every 2 hours.

Next update to be posted this evening.

-Charley

Tuesday, March 8, 2005 12:44 AM CST

Both Sat Jivan and Kay have successfully made it through surgery. Yippee!!!

Sat Jivan Kaur has already been allowed to go visit Sat Jivan Singh, while Kay will be in the recovery room until about 3pm. Kay's surgeon said all went well and he saw signs that the transplanted kidney was already starting to function. I will post another update this evening after visiting hours.

Kay is not allowed to receive flowers on account of the recent surgery (nor does she desire flowers on account of recent scuffles with a gang of unruly petunias). Kay wishes that anyone desiring to present a gift, make a donation to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation.

-Charley

Monday, March 7, 2005 5:18 PM CST

Kay and Sat Jivan have both arrived safely in Birmingham and have been admitted to UAB. Sat Jivan's surgery is tentatively scheduled to begin around 11am tomorrow morning (Tuesday, March 8th). Kay's surgey will begin an hour or so thereafter. Both are in good spirits.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 2:25 PM CST

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