Well this it it - the final chapter in the story. It's getting a little boring now but things are still moving on well. The Tesio line (a thumping great line protruding from my chest to connect to the plasma exchange machine) I have had in since mid May came out last Wednesday. This was a great leap forward for me as I can now have a proper shower and I feel much more normal.

Also, as of last Thursday, I am now seeing Doctors as opposed to Consultants so I am much more off the radar although still under scrutiny by the medical team.

I am now back at work - still I suppose I need to earn money for shul fees if nothing else.

So, it's all pretty routine from now on so frankly there is going to be very little to report and I am therefore closing the blog down. For posterity, Barbara has created a terrific scrap book for both us and the Moss's. It looks terrific and will be something to look at fondly over the years to come.

I've said it before and I will say it again. A huge vote of thanks to my family for their support, to the Moss's for their support and donation and to all our friends out there - this episode in my life would have been much more difficult without them.

Paul

TUESDAY, 1st July - Update

I just picked Paul up again from the hospital. Apart from a few hairy, moments he's fine now.

Back to clinic on Thursday am.

TUESDAY, 1st July

The latest from Paul is that there are now blood clots in the bladder so he will need a scan. They are still saying that there is no sign of rejection, this is just an unfortunate side effect of the biopsy.

I shall be going up to the hospital later and I will either be a visitor or hopefully be bringing him home.

MONDAY, 30th - Latest

The verdict is that Paul will not be allowed home tonight, but should be home again tomorrow morning.

Apparently the biopsy was taken from the middle of the kidney, which is an area with the most blood vessels, and obviously one was nicked during the process and is still bleeding. Hopefully, things will improve overnight.

Paul is frustrated but OK, he has his own room and his own television and bathroom - trust him to take full advantage of all the NHS has to offer.

MONDAY, 30th Update

I spoke spoke to Paul a little while ago, he had a biopsy this morning and unfortunately has a slight complication which is rare but not unheard of; blood in the urine. That should stop soon and he should be allowed home, if it carries on it may be necessary to stay in for a second night with IV fluids again.

The doctors feel that this is nothing to do with rejection - it is possibly from the dehydration last week that his creatinine level has not gone down!!! He's drinking 4/5 litres a day - but then again, he is weeing for England at the moment!!!!

MONDAY, 30th

Paul and I had a lovely weekend with friends, interrupted by a quick visit to the hospital for bloods to be taken on Sunday morning.

Unfortunately, Paul was called back into hospital Sunday night as his creatinine had not fallen and it was again felt that he needed to be put onto IV fluids. He is back in Peter's Ward and I am now waiting for news as to when I can pick him up. He should only be in for one night, although they are talking of a biopsy which may need another night in. I'll let you know, when I know.

FRIDAY, 27th

Just to let you know that Paul is fine and home again. He had a fluid IV overnight and an ultrasound this morning. Apparently it is not uncommon to be asked to come for an overnight every so often, as it takes a while to sort out the fluids. He has also been given a new tablet.

On the way home, Gill called and apparently we just missed them in the out-patients. Les has been feeling very uncomfortable as a nerve has been bruised and he was back to find out if anything could be done to ease his discomfort.

We were greeted with a lovely sight when we arrived home - paper everywhere - Bailey had decided that if we were not going to be around again that she would eat the tissue box and my soduko book along with it!! What with her and Jozie sulking because Paul wasn't around this morning....... It's a good thing we love them.

THURSDAY, 26th

OK, not plain sailing then!!

Paul went to the hospital this morning and was told that he could drive now - that made him very happy, but later in the evening his nurse (Katie) called to say that his creatinine level had gone up again and that they wanted him to come in for the night to have some fluids. Hopefully that is all that will be needed and he will be home, as good as new again, tomorrow.

It was the second of my regular visits to the Renal Outpatients today. All seems to be going well and frankly it's getting boring now it's all so routine. Hospital transport is good on the way there but awful on the way back, so Underground, here we come! Tomorrow is day 14 following the operation so now it's a waiting game.

I think now is the time to close this blog down. I do want to thank everyone for reading it and taking the time to be interested in what Les has done for me.

Onwards and upwards.

Paul

It's Friday. I went to the hospital yesterday for the first of my regular twice weekly visits. Hospital transport was great there but on the way back I could happily have choked the driver - he was a rubber necker and had poor lane discipline! Still best not to rock the boat until I don't need them any more.

The nurses were excellent and the whole stay was about three hours. The consultant said that I might get a call after the clinic meeting but if nothing after 8pm, then I am off the hook. If anything moves in the wrong direction, I could be recalled - nightmare! No call received - phew. However, as this is week one, I was asked to attend a quick clinic on Saturday morning.

SAMS AGM last night - it was great to see the people there - thanks to Laurence for the welcome. I am SAMS Treasurer now so all those members who have upset me in the past -watch your bills!!! There are no side effects from going out last night although I do admit that I did check with the consultant to make sure that there was no medical reason for me to stay at home.

Got a call from Katie, a nurse a few minutes ago. The creatine level has reduced to 131 and the need to go back in tomorrow has been cancelled.

All to the good!

My turn now. It's certainly good to be home - Bailey was very excited when we got back and Jozie will come closer to me tomorrow - typical female - she will want flowers next.

I certainly feel different compared to before the operation - I don't feel as unwell. A couple of nights in my own room with my own bathroom helped and last night, the staff didn't disturb me at all apart from a blood test at 4am! In the end at around 11am, they decided they needed the room and evicted me to the waiting area.

It is impossible to explain how utterly magnificent the team has been at the Hammersmith - everyone of them deserves some kind of recognition but one in particular, Dr Jack Galliford needs to be mentioned. Jack is responsible for the incompatible transplant procedure reporting to consultants and a professor but essentially, he has been running my healthwise life since January this year and I am enormously grateful for his professionlism and dedication. It is very unfair to mention one person when so many have been instrumental in getting me to where I am but, there it is. We should all be very proud of our health service - it has it's shortcomings sure, but when one experiences what can be done, it is the envy of the world.

My very grateful thanks go to all those who visited, sent cards, made calls etc. As this was my first (and last) in-patient experience, it is tremendously comforting to know that one or two people seem to care out there in human land.

Barbara has, of course, been a tower of strength and support. I love her very much and appreciate everything she has done. Amy and Matthew have been absolutely brilliant through both this episode and the aborted one late last year. Thank you very much to both of them.

The most difficult part about this is how to thank Les, Gill, Robin, Pip and Davina. There are no words in the universe to explain to how grateful I am to them and there extended family. With my creatine level this morning at 181, this has potentially taken me back over thirty years, quite outstanding. Thank you, Les and Sid says hi.

So, onwards and upwards. Do I attend the SAMS AGM on Thursday - maybe! Did I attend a phone meeting last night, of course. Am I doing my day job - no way! Has Bailey eaten any more expensive items - yes, the monster.

Keep breathing - it keeps you alive.

Paul

Reflections from the donor

Wow, that was some week! I find it hard to believe - sitting at home with laptop on lap - that this time last week I was just about waking up from major surgery. The fact that I am feeling pretty darned good right now - if sore and tired - is a tribute to the skill of the surgical, medical and nursing teams at the Hammersmith Hospital.

Two things I absolutely have to say. First, thanks to all of you who visited, sent goodwill messages, cards, calls etc. etc. to Gill and I. It meant more than you'll ever know. A special thanks to Gill and my kids for their love and support throughout. Second, I am absolutely elated at Paul's progress. When you go into this you know intellectually that it should lead to a good outcome for both of us, but to actually see it happen is just the most wonderful thing.

Other things I've learned:

- When a nurse says "We need to get you off the bed and start sitting up" what he/she actually means is "I'm a fully paid-up member of the Spanish Inquisition and it's torture time"

- I am awed by Paul's stoicism throughout the week and - now that I have a better understanding - of what he has had to go through for months and years. This guy is seriously gutsy.

- And likewise Barbara. You two are an inspiration and a great team, and I am deeply honoured to have shared in your family story these last few months.

- Doing something like this is more than just a physical act. I hesitate to use the word but it was a spiritual week for me as Paul and I shared a unique experience..

My part in this is essentially over. Apart from slowly but surely getting back to normal, I can relax and carry on with my life basically unchanged. I look forward to continuing good news about Paul's progress but it sure looks as though Sidney the Kidney has settled in and something remarkable has happened.

God bless you all.

Leslie

TUESDAY, 17th

HE'S HOME - I just picked Paul up from the hospital and he is now esconced in front of the television watching Coronation Street and eating a chollah roll with chopped liver.

Again, I want to thank everyone for their cards, phone calls, emails, good wishes and support - without you, this could have been so much harder. Now we start the road to wellness!

MONDAY, 16th

Well, one home, one to go!!

Les is now sitting in front of the television watching the football with his cats around him - tired, but very happy to be home.

Paul, on the other hand, is now on his own and waiting. He had an MRI this afternoon which showed everything to be normal. His creatinine is now 228. Mr P (the surgeon) would like it to be 200, so that means that barring any unforeseen circumstances, Paul will be leaving hospital tomorrow.

It is amazing that after just a week both Les and Paul are well enough to be sent home after the transplant. Thank goodness for modern medicine and the fantastic staff at The Hammersmith.

SUNDAY, 15th

Today is Les's last full day in hospital as he should be going home sometime tomorrow morning. He is feeling sore but much more like himself and looking forward to sitting on his sofa with his cats.

Paul has also been told that he may be able to go home either on Tuesday or Wednesday. There are some results of tests which they are waiting for and a possible MRI which needs to be done. He is lazing in his own room on de Wardener Ward at the moment, but may be moved for one or two nights to Kerr Ward just before he goes home. His creatinine level continues to drop slowly as it is now 273.

Paul was presented with a beautiful painting of Jozie and Bailey today from some of our closest friends, and it takes pride of place in his room. Already there have been comments from some of the nursing staff.

SATURDAY, 14th

Today seems to have been visitors day, as both Les and Paul were visited by friends and relatives. Les is on the 1st floor and Paul is on the 2nd floor, so Les had made the trip upstairs a couple of times now to see Paul. He is just waiting for the results of one blood test and if it is clear he should be able to go home either tomorrow or Monday.

Paul has also been able to walk a little today. There is slight concern that his creatinine level has not dropped more dramatically, it seems to be going down quite slowly, but at least it hasn't stopped, nor has it gone up. The staff are watching and waiting for improvements to the count.

They have both started to eat small amounts, so now that they are both walking around and eating, hopefully their recovery will go a lot faster.

FRIDAY 13th

What a difference a day makes!

When I got to the hospital today I found Les in his PJs and slippers and then he proceeded to walk around the bed - a massive breakthrough. At the end of my visit he was being transferred down to The Handfield Jones Ward, so Tweedledee and Tweedledum will not be able to sit and chat anymore - unless Les decides to take a walk upstairs that is.

Paul on the other hand is still sitting in his chair unable to walk around. He has fewer tubes now and hopefully more will come out tomorrow, so he may also be able to start walking around a bit. His biggest gripe at the moment is that a chap who had a transplant from his brother a day after Paul is walking around, but then he probably didn't have the plasma exchanges and all the extra drugs that Paul had to have because of it!!

The creatinine level has got a bit stuck, so they have given it a bit of a nudge with some drugs and it is hoped that we will see an improvement again tomorrow.

On the whole Paul is bright and cheerful, if a little bored, but making good progress.

Thank you to everyone from both families for your good wishes and support, it is very much appreciated by us all.

THURSDAY, 12th

Some ups and downs today. Les and Paul had another chest x-ray and Les has unfortunately contracted a chest infection. He is now on antibiotics which are clearing up the infection. Apart from that he has found coughing very painful but is managing to stay cheerful and has even had a little of Shirley's chicken soup.

Paul was able to sit in his chair today and his blood pressure has now stabilized. He had 2 more ultrasounds which show everything to be good.

Paul and Les are now up to seeing a few people, but please keep any and all visits short. Please could you also liaise with Gill or me if you are thinking of coming so that we can make sure that only a couple of people come at any one time.

Jon - just to let you know that Paul's first words were "where's the chips" - shame he didn't mean it!

UPDATE FOR WEDNESDAY, 11th

Sorry I didn’t get round to posting this lasting night but it’s quite late when I got back from the hospital.

The guys have improved massively. Les was moved into a chair, I think he wanted to kill Paul at the time, but Paul said he could not have his kidney back! Les is still feeling a bit sick due to the morphine and the fact that he is allergic to the anti-sickness drugs, but he is now looking and sounding more like the Les we all know and love. It is hoped that he will be able to go to the normal ward soon.

Both guys had chest x-rays yesterday which were normal, but they still need to breathe deeper into their lungs to make sure they don’t get chest infections. Paul also had 2 ultrasounds on his new kidney, a new line put into his femeral vein, a new dressing put on and another plasma exchange. Basically, they are at him 24/7, and although exhausting and quite painful most of the time, he is being really positive and managing to joke with the staff who are all absolutely fantastic. Most of the time there are about 3 or 4 nurses around him– he’s never had this much attention from so many women at the same time. Both men also agreed that having a bed bath was a most unusual experience!!!

Hopefully, Paul will also be allowed to sit in a chair today, although if the getting in and out of bed is as painful as Les found it, I’m not sure he will be too pleased.

Neither of them has eaten yet, they have been allowed sips of water only at this stage, so Les is craving chocolate and Paul is getting really annoyed with a guy in one of the other beds as he has a bottle of orange lucazade and and an orange fanta sitting on his bedside table.

The kidney is definitely doing its stuff, Paul’s creatinine levels in his blood have gone down by 90 points since the operation, which is amazing – I know that doesn’t mean anything to most of you, but generally I think normal levels should be about 80 or 90, Paul’s was over 500 – so this is fantastic, and apparently the level should continue to drop.

Off to work now, then back to the hospital this pm. More soon….

D-Day

I have just left two tired and very sore chaps in HDD on de Wardener Ward. So far, everything has gone according to plan.

Last night we all went out to Pizza Express for a final get together before the op. Les was taken down very early this morning and it seemed like forever before he came back from recovery, although it was actually about 1.30 p.m. His first words were "um", shortly after that he went to sleep and it was that way for most of the afternoon.

The surgeon (don't ask me to spell his name), came down to see Les at 3.30 and said that Paul was now in recovery and that everything had gone well and the kidney was working. It then took another 2½ hours before Paul came down to the ward. He had been awake for most of the time in recovery and was quite alert when he came down.

It was a great relief for Gill and myself to see them both and we did get small smiles from each of them. They are next to each other on the ward and have waved to each other and said a few croaky words to each other.

Hopefully Les will be able to sit in the chair tomorrow and may possibly be allowed home at the weekend. Paul will have to stay on HDU this week but hopefully be allowed to go to the normal ward next week.

Thank you to everyone for your good wishes and thoughts, we all appreciate it very much.

For some stupid reason my phone ran out of battery at the cruical time today, hopefully it will behave itself tomorrow and I will be able to speak to people as there is a bit of a signal on the ward.

Sunday 8th

Well I've just left Paul at the Hospital as he was about to have another plasma exchange. He has his own room with a bathroom and television to himself. At the moment he is on Peters Ward, but that will probably change a few times over the coming days.

Tomorrow Paul will need a blood transfusion to replace red blood cells which have been broken down by the plasma exchange.

So far everything is going according to plan.

Update

We are here and we have found a PC on the internet in the cafe! Plasma exchange this afternoon and a blood tranfusion tomorrow - the doctor said they are trying to keep me occupied!

In today!

Well today is my last half day at home. I'm in this afternoon and they won't let me out now until it's all over and I am on the road to recovery.

Hopefully others will update this whilst I am unable to access my PC (what will I do?!)

Three days to go

Was I going to create a blog - I thought no as Barbara was going to be around. We have been inundated with phone calls, every one of which is really appreciated and Barbara has sent out some emails with updates.

To save peoples telephone bills, I have decided to re-introduce a blog.

So, where are we - I am heading for a kidney transplant on Tuesday the 10th and the build up has been on going for a couple of weeks now. I have a rather obtrusive line in my chest wall to allow what is known as plasma exchange. This will make it possible for my to accept an organ that has a different blood group from mine.

So far, I have had the odd day or so in hospital for the line insertion (postponed by one day!), some up front drugs to kill off certain parts of my white blood cells and then for the plasma exchanges (only one so far). Any reactions to these procedures have subsided very quickly after each session and I have managed to not spend a night in hospital yet! I have two more plasma exchange sessions, tomorrow and Sunday and they won't let me out after the Sunday session.

All seems to be going well and I am looking forward to it being all over and done with!