Recovery

Sorry it's taken me so long to post again. The last three weeks I've been taking it easy, recovering from the surgery. The new kidney is functioning great, and I feel better than I have in a few years.

This article ran in today's Deseret Morning News. I'm particularly happy to see Ryan getting the recognition he deserves.


http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/705329018/Actor-gives-gift-of-life-to-colleague.html

Victory!

All systems go! Tomorrow at 6:30 am, Ryan and I go in for the transplant.

Next Tuesday is the scheduled transplant, the most exciting day of my life so far. Things are looking good, but there is one small snag: My blood has developed an antibody, which my donor's doesn't have. There is a 70 percent chance this is no problem. Unfortunately, that means there's a 30 percent chance there is. EVeryone is quite confident that it's going to be okay, but if you could include us in your prayers, fasting, Reiki, whatever suits your beliefs, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Paul

Home Again

Yesterday, I returned home from my weeklong stay at the hospital for the nephrectomy, which they tell is by far the more trying of the two surgeries. Thanks Heavens for that, because this one was very difficult indeed.

Forunately, throughout this entire process, I have been blessed with an incredible family aand freinds, and also with some of the best doctors I've ever had (and I've had a LOT). In particular, my nephrologist, Dr. Joespehine Abraham, and the tranaplant suregon, Dr. Diane Alonzo, are terrific. Dr. Alonzo posses by far the most important qulaity for a surgeoun, by which I mean she reminds me of Hawkeye.

One of the things that got me through the hardest times in the hospital was the thought I am not unlucky to have this happen to me, I am phoneomenally lucky to be surviving it. But, most of all, what got me through was what's got me through is what has gotten me through everything: love. From family, friends, and my Father in Heaven.

Thanks to everyone for all of their thoughts, prayers, Reiki, positive energy, jokes, DVDS, "Indiana Jones" memorabilia . . . whatever you sent me at the hospital. I love you all.

Surgery on Monday

The long wait for the surgey to take place is finally almost ovewr, Sort of. The surgery which will take place on Monday, July 6 at 5:30 am is a bilatteral nephrectomy (removal of both kidneys), not the transplant, which will take place on August 4. But it's a gigantic step, and I'm told will actually be the harder surgery. It's going to be a rough month between the two surgeries. Having no kidneys means having to severely limit my intake of liquids. I'll go from drinking probably two gallons of water per day to a mere 32 ounces.

I'm torn between being very excited for the surgery, and being apprehensive. I do not relish the thought of a week in the hospital. I'm very grateful to those who have promised to visit. Ultimately, I'm glad to be moving forward, and trying very hard to have faith and trust that this is all going to work out.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers, love and support since November.

Dates

The nephrectomy (removal of kidneys) will take place on Friday, July 3, and the transplant will be on Tuesday, August 4.

The Meeting

I have an appointment with the surgeon today at 3pm. I'm very much hoping that by the end of it I will know when the nephrectomy will take place.