Two Month Anniversary

It was two months ago that I underwent a kidney transplant. Much progress has been made since then, but there is still much to go. We were told the first three months of recovery would be the hardest. It has been an uphill climb!

Initially, each day I could see improvement...and it felt so good to be able to do a little more than the day before. At this point, the improvements have leveled off, and some of the transplant medication side effects seem even stronger than they were in the beginning, or at least they're more noticeable. Prednisone has caused significant and uncomfortable swelling in my face and belly, some of the medications cause bloating and stomach upset, and the tremor I experienced from the onset is still present, though it seems to have tapered off a bit. I still feel tired a good bit of the time, too. Slowly, I'm adding more and more activity to my days, but it is frustratingly slow. A small amount of physical exertion can be very fatiguing.

Recovery is a time of starts and stops. It's a process that's both physical and emotional. Sometimes, it's a lonely place, especially when you feel as if others don't understand what you're going through. At times, it's very important to remind yourself how far you've actually come and reignite the faith that you'll continue to make strides, slow as they are. You need to go easy on yourself and be your own best friend. And...even with the stops and starts...it's always best to look at the bigger picture and be grateful for the opportunity given - that miraculous second chance for a healthy, full life.