Creatinine level, 2.5 months post-transplant

I really thought I was going to be better at keeping this blog updated. Guess not. Maybe I will get back into blogging more consistently at a later time? Perhaps. There is so much going on in our lives that I don't even know where to start. Since the last blog post in early December, here is what has gone on:

1.) I cleaned house like a crazy fool to prepare for out-of-town house guests. Due to growing tummy, bending over and doing things like vacuuming, mopping, and scrubbing the tub is really hard work!

2.) We picked up my Mom and Dad at the airport on December 23. This was a really special treat for us, as we have not had any immediate family out here for Christmas since we've called North Carolina our home.

3.) we celebrated the 2 month mark of Rob's new kidney on Christmas Eve. We didn't do anything super special, other than drive out to the Mangum Family Christmas Light Display in North Durham off Daffodil Lane. They have an amazing light show that is synchronized to Christmas music that you tune into on your car radio.



4.) Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were beautiful days for us, filled with many blessings, especially having Mom and Dad here visiting us. I think the best part of this Christmas season was celebrating the new life (times 2!) we have been given with Rob's new kidney and the growing child in my womb.

5.) Rob went back to work on January 3. He was so happy to get back to work, as were his fellow employees and his boss.

6.) Rob had his last Clinic appointment on January 5. His creatinine level is still the same as it was last time - steady at 1.7 - which still isn't as low as we want it, but low enough to be working and filtering out fluids & wastes.

7.) On January 6, Rob was notified by his post-transplant coordinator that he has the "BK virus". Lots of transplant patients develop this virus. It's a side effect of too much immuno-suppression. So the docs had him reduce his immunosuppresant drugs (Prograf and CellCept). He is now taking 8mg of Prograf daily and 1000mg of CellCept daily.

8.) On January 19, Rob had a follow-up appointment at Duke for his BK virus. He didn't hear anything from his post transplant coordinator afterward, so, like they say, "no call is a good call". So we're guessing that the reduction in his meds has been successful at either getting rid of the BK or at least reducing it effects.

9.) I have had 4 regular OB check-up appointments since I last blogged. Baby Girl Newton is doing well and growing as expected. Her heart rate is always in the 140-150's, which is good. I am currently 34 weeks pregnant, so we've got 6 more weeks to go until we get to meet our little bundle of joy!

10.) Rob started riding the bus to work last Thursday and so far he really enjoys his new form of transportation. His bus leaves downtown Durham at 7:30am and arrives at his work (well, really it drops him off across the street) at 8:39am. Then he leaves at 5:45pm and arrives in downtown Durham at 6:55pm. I will drive him to and from downtown Durham on really cold or rainy days, and on the other days, he will ride his bike from home to the bus depot. Which isn't very far - click here to see his route.

Well, that about sums up the past month and a half since our last blog post. I will blog again soon, I promise!