The Kidney Journey ENDS

Today we learned the results of the GFR test. The donor coordinator called. I have been medically disqualified.

To medically qualify as a kidney donor the acceptable GFR result range is 90 to 120. My result was 86.8. Close but no cigar- so to speak. It was explained that although there is nothing medically wrong with my kidneys they are not efficient enough for donation. Having only one of my kidneys would not be sufficient to maintain my health. In addition, one of my kidneys would not function well enough to sustain Heather's needs. I asked if there was anything I could do to improve and was gently told that as we age (meaning I am OLD) our kidneys also age.

This leaves us with only prayer and positive thoughts that a kidney will somehow appear.

Donating a Kidney - A Journey - Chapter 4A

GFR Test Completed This Morning --

First a comment . The process of being medically evaluated for kidney donation seems to be a long and rigorous one. But thus far it has allowed me to meet some of the nicest people! Being greeted with a smile and by first name in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at NYU Hospital was a great beginning for my day. Then there were two really sweet people who explained the test and inserted two leads - one in a vein in each arm. In addition, almost every person I have met along the way (NYU Blood lab, the local Quest Lab, etc.) has said they will pray for the success of my approval and Heather's successful receiving of my kidney. Now on to the test.

The first step was to completely empty the bladder. Next came insertion of a lead in each arm. One arm (R) was set up for injection of the Technetium 99 radioactive isotope. The other arm (L) had a small IV bag at the end with a switch port near my wrist to allow drawing blood. Then drank a cup of water and was placed laying on my back and put into a scanning machine. Once placement was confirmed, and anything metal in the region of interest (i.e. belt buckle, zipper) moved, the Tc99 was injected. The progress of the isotope was tracked by the scanner for 60 minutes (lay still, keep arms at your sides). Once the 60 minute period was complete there was then a 2 minute scan of my bladder.

After scanning was completed 5 or 6 vials of blood were drawn from the non Tc99 arm. The lead where the Tc was delivered was removed. The IV bag and switch port were removed but the lead left in place. A little heparin was put in to help avoid any clotting in the line and I was free to go for 90 minutes.

One tuna fish and diet coke later I was back in the Nuclear Medicine Dept. 5 or 6 more vials of blood were drawn at that time. The lead was removed and I was on my way home!

Results are to be available tomorrow. Unfortunately tomorrow is a Saturday so guess nothing much will happen till next week. Fingers will be crossed till we hear. :-)

Donating a Kidney - A Journey - Chapter 4

Results are back. Donor Coordinator called about an hour ago. Hold onto your hats - the tests apparently were inconclusive! So now have to do a new test. The new test is called a Nuclear GFR. Of course the first thing I did was Google the test to see what is involved. Whew! Here is what it said:

GFR Measurement
What is a GFR Measurement?
A Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) measurement is carried out to measure how well your kidneys filter your blood.

What is involved?
A small injection with a special radioactive (Chromium-51) tracer will be injected into a vein, usually in your arm. The injection is no more painful than a blood test.
After a delay of two hours we will take a blood sample from another vein, again in your arm, and after a further two hours we will take a second blood sample.
You may leave the department between each part of the procedure.

But you must attend for the blood samples at the times given to you by the technician or radiographer. You can eat and drink normally. After the second blood sample you will be free to go.

How long will it take?
The whole test takes about four and a half hours, but you are free to leave the department between the different parts of the procedure.

Do I need to do anything before and after the test?
Before the test you may eat and drink normally, but do not consume any alcohol in the previous 24 hours as this can affect the result.
After the test you do not need to take any precautions and can eat and drink normally.

What about my result?
As the blood samples will be analysed at a later time we are unable to tell you the result of the test. The results will be sent to the doctor who requested the test.

Here it gets more interesting because I am in glorious New York City and the Donor Coordinator is at the Medical College of Georgia. Now she has to find a hospital here in NYC that is willing to have their Nuclear Medicine Dept administer the test. I would think that presents a little bit of a billing nightmare but thank heaven this problem will not be mine!

Will let you know. Fingers still crossed! ;-)

Donating a Kidney - A Journey - Chapter 3B

Completed the required 24 hour urine collection Monday, March 2 and handed it in. On Saturday the 28th of Feb I collected and delivered to the lab a "first morning" sample. That one is to be tested for creatinine. The Monday they took more blood for an albumin/creatinine test. Have no idea what the 24 hour sample is specifically for . . . Whew! This can get confusing really fast.

Hopefully we will hear results soon and they will be "acceptable." Will let you know.

Donating a Kidney - A Journey - Chapter 3A

Oh dear. After waiting 13 days for results of the latest tests we received a call today from the Donor Coordinator. The 24 hour collection showed an unacceptable level of protein. I asked what that means. She said that the acceptable amount of protein in a 24 hour sample is calculated based upon several factors to include height, weight, what medications are taken daily etc. She also said that 50% of people who have this test done must repeat it due to a high protein count to confirm the accuracy of the results. So. . . . . The test will be repeated. Some of the questions asked: Are you eating a high protein diet? Did you do vigorous exercise during the collection process? Did you take any aspirin or ibuprofen? I did ask what it meant when a protein count is higher than the expected range. The answer to the question is that the excess protein indicates I probably would not do well with only one kidney. (Bummer)

Now have to wait till the paperwork comes AGAIN from Ga. to NYC then go to the lab and pick up another 3L plastic "jug". Fill it, then wait another 2 weeks. I do not mind the additional time but my intended recipient is not having an easy time with her dialysis. I really want to get on with this. Please do keep your fingers crossed for us.

Donating a Kidney - A Journey - Chapter 3

This is a photo is of the 3L container used for collection. The paperwork says:
This next step involves urine collection and blood draw. You will first collect your urine for 24 hours in a special container (seen above) that is picked up at a local contracted lab. Upon submission of the collected urine to the contracted lab an additional small sample of urine is submitted. A fasting blood draw is then done.

Results are expected in two weeks. I think they test for everything including beri beri. Fingers crossed! ;-)

Donating a Kidney - A Journey - Chapter 2

Good news (so far). The donor coordinator called and said my blood passed the test for donation. A package of instructions will be coming in the mail soon that describes the next step. I do know that the next step involves evaluating my health and being healthy enough to donate as well as protecting the recipient from any disease/virus I may carry.

Will keep you posted. :-)

Donating a Kidney - A Journey

The first step in the kidney donation process is receiving a box. The box contains many papers - a medical history form, a letter of instruction for the blood lab, consent forms, Notice of Privacy Practices, a description of the process.


Here you can see the inside of the box (before being filled with the required amount of blood). If the potential recipient is not in the immediate area where the blood is collected the box is FedEx'd overnight to the donor coordinator associated with the potential recipient.


The plot thickens a little bit at this point for me. The date designated for collection (by the donor coordinator) is today - Martin Luther King Day. Everyone is closed. Anticipating a potential problem yesterday I called commercial labs as well as outpatient labs in 4 hospitals. All closed. With no other option we could think of John and I went to the Emergency Room at New York University Hospital. Unfortunately not many people are familiar with the screening process for live kidney donation (versus one donated by a cadaver). Come back Tuesday, come back Tuesday, come back Tuesday. . . can't tell you how many times we heard that phrase. Then an angel was called in to help sort out the situation. She was the Nurse Administrator on duty. After talking for a while and reviewing the paperwork the lady in this photo was paged. Her name is Peggy and she is a manager in the NYU outpatient lab. Wow - two angels in one day. Peggy knew that in addition to the lab work we would need a blood pressure reading among other measurements. We were sitting in the lobby of the main entrance to the hospital and the next thing I knew the third angel showed up pulling a blood pressure machine on wheels beside her. Wow. Then Peggy walked me to the blood lab. In this photo she is putting me into the NYU hospital system. I don't think I could have received better treatment if I was a VIP.


This is the lady who actually took the blood (and she is a pro - it did not hurt a bit).
The process from here, once the box is delivered to the recipient's hospital is described as:
1. An acceptable blood match starts the procedure - luckily I am a type O and can match any other blood type
2. Determining tissue compatibility with the recipient. The test of tissue compatibility is called a "crossmatch." It involves combining live white blood cells from the potential donor with the fluid part of the recipient's blood, called the "serum." Some recipients have special proteins in their blood that attack foreign cells. If the recipient's serum kills the donor's white blood cells, the crossmatch is called "positive." This means there was a positive killing of the potential donor's cells. In this case the transplant cannot be done and the screening ends. If there is no killing of my cells then we can move on to the next steps.
3. If number two (above) is OK then comes the matching of antigens. Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) are proteins on white blood cells. Each person has 6 different antigens. 3 are inherited from each parent, making a total of 6 antigens. The 6 antigens of the donor are compared to the 6 antigens of the recipient, and the "match" is determined. There does not have to be any matching antigens with the recipient to be a suitable donor. The "crossmatch" is actually more important than the "antigen match".
This is as far as we have gone this far. FedEx should deliver the box tomorrow.
Results should be called to me in about 5 days. Will keep you posted.

Going Home

Talking to his Mom always gets my mate excited. Can you tell? Although we are about to board a flight that will let him see Mom eye to eye he just had to talk to her NOW.


Look at my Skittles. We had a little delay for the flight takeoff but a package of his favorite confection was all that was needed. And my camera-shy friend even posed for this photo.


One flight under his belt and he is a veteran. You can tell by the nonchalant look. Actually he was looking forward to getting a soda and small bag of peanuts. But at least I am excited.


Home again and happy as a lark. When he spotted his Mom he ran as fast as he could and jumped into her arms. I would have taken a photo but it was too fast to catch.
All in all the visit was fun. Don't know how much he will remember but at least he will have some photo memories to review.

Cousins! and the South Street Seaport

Our little guy has never lived in a high rise building. When I tried to explain to him that his cousin lived just a little bit away from us up the hall he didn't seem to understand. He was delighted when he realized that a little bit away meant just one apartment door away! He could run to see his cousin without even putting his shoes on. As you can see in this photo, our six year old taught the three year old some new tricks. You know, like let's make a monster face when Nana tries to take our photo.


Our little mate became restless when the younger one went down for a nap. Grandpop took him downtown to show him the seaport. Here he is riding on the trusty old M15 bus. Looking out the window he can see the Brooklyn Bridge. Although we rode many different busses he soon learned that the way home most of the time was on the M15.


At the seaport there is a small mall. Each floor in the mall is surrounded on three sides by a large covered wooden deck. He was delighted to see there was still snow/ice on the deck.


John told the little one about the Statue of Liberty being nearby. From the seaport you can see her raised arm with her hand holding the torch. I think in this photo he is trying to get a better view.


This photo was taken on the third, or top, deck of the building. Keary is interested in the ice at his feet. Behind him you can see the wooden deck furniture that is there for the public to sit and watch the river. The buildings across the water are in Brooklyn. The bridge nearest to the deck is the Brooklyn Bridge and the further one is the Manhattan Bridge. Our little guy was not impressed.


He agreed to having this photo taken because he wanted a record of the piece of ice in his hand. Oh to be 6 again.


These two had a great time being together. He introduced her to the wonders of Sponge Bob, Gary, Partick and Squidwerd. I am certain her parents were delighted. In this photo she is wearing an Elmo helmet. She has fallen in love with that helmet and now wants to wear it day and night. It looks as though she may be doing monster faces for a while.

Huh? Rockefeller Center

All of this snow and walking and catching busses can make anybody reaaaaaally tired. So we sleep really well. While we sleep we are accompanied by our very best friend Teddy McGoo.


One advantage of living in this wonderful city is the fresh fruit. From our home we walk 4 blocks to the offering of a large variety. Here is our mate enjoying a very sweet California orange. You can probably tell that he was eating while simultaneously watching Sponge Bob on TV.


He is 6 years old. When (or should I say "If") given a choice between watching Bakugan on YouTube or going to see the Christmas decorations at Rockefeller Center what would he choose? This is when the struggle begins -- What is Rockefeller Center? Where is it? Why are we going there? Why can't we stay home?


The corridor that serves as one entrance to Rockefeller Center is lined with tall, lit, beautiful angels playing long trumpets. There are also huge lit spiked spheres that I think are supposed to be snowballs. Look at the photo below to see just how impressed he was!


I was not able to coax a smile no matter how hard I pleaded. How can these angels possibly compete with YouTube?


Here he is looking down at the famous Rockefeller ice skating rink. It didn't take him very long to spot Santa Claus on ice skates. You can see Santa in this shot if you look carefully - kind of like, "Where is Waldo." If you click on the photo it will become a larger version.

Cirque Du Soleil and Macy's Windows

Each morning starts with stretching and exercises. This particular morning I had some company as you can see. It was my turn to wear the weights around my ankles but then I passed them over to my exercise partner.


My mate decided he wanted to work on his biceps and so the weights were moved to the wrists.


Exercises and breakfast accomplished meant it was time to head off to the bus stop. Grandpop and our little mate are dressed for the 10 F windchill. If you look closely you should be able to see the Empire State Building down the street. We live about 6 blocks away.


If soulful looking could control the arrival of a bus then we would not have to wait long. As it turns out our wait was not very long. The busses run about every 12 minutes or so on weekdays.


OK I admit it - this shot is not very much to look at but it is the only one allowed inside of the Cirque theatre. Just wanted to give a feel for the size of the place.
The show itself is perfect to capture the imagination of a 6 year old boy. Lots of action, loud music, and constantly changing scenes. First of all there were tall ramps - one on each side and a half circle one at the back of the stage. Going up and down the ramps were people on roller skates, on skate boards and on bicycles. Wheelies by all produced oooohs and aaaaah from the little guy. There were full size metal trash cans on one side of the stage. The people on bikes got up on the back wheel and jumped on top of the first trash can then jumped the bike to a second and third trash can. I am certain you get the picture that the average young boy would go nuts seeing all of these stunts. In addition there were acrobats, a balancing act, walking on a very loosely strung rope. The theme of the show was winter and wanting it to snow. Of course at the end of the show it did snow. But the unusual part was that after the curtain came down and then went up for a curtain call it began to "snow" on the entire audience. The "snowflakes" were blown out of the heating/air conditioning vents. They were made of tissue paper and cut in snowflake shapes. Some were blue and some were white. Of course you know who just had to gather as much of the snow as possible to take home. Where do you put handfuls of tissue paper snow so it will not be wrinkled, crushed or ruined? If you guessed under my hat you are right! Then the hat on my head to keep me warm and keep the paper snow from blowing away.


Macy's, with its traditional Christmas window decorations, was one block away so we took advantage and walked over.
The windows tell the story of the Miracle on 34th Street. I tried to bring it down to a thumbnail at a 6 year old level. A lot of the mannequins are automated so it can hold a little one's interest.

Snow! and The Lion King

Gazing out the window and commenting on each thing he can see covered with snow.


As a parent and as a person raised here, I have never seen anyone so absolutely delighted with snow! One would have thought it was chocolate drops falling from the clouds. I couldn't have planned a better time for this visit if I tried - except maybe one in a warmer season so we could explore the Statue of Liberty and other outdoor sites.


Waiting for a bus. Not owning a car is a concept beyond a 6 year old. What's with all of this walking? Where is your car? Any bus that went by -- "why can't we take that bus?". Charter busses, one going to the west side when we want to go north, etc.


We went to see the Lion King on broadway. My little mate kept asking why we were going to see that cartoon again. Once we were in the theatre he seemed wow'ed when the parade of animals came down the isle from the back and right past his seat. He enjoyed the singing, dancing, and puppet/people characters. It was sweet when he asked if there was going to be a sequel. I guess it is because he basically comes from a world of movies and not live performances.


Although photograph taking is strictly prohibited during the show I did manage to snap this photo of Keary as he sat during intermission. I never thought I would be able to see him sit stock still for 90 minutes but he did for the first act. Actually he was only restless during intermission. Once act 2 began he was once again transfixed. I think he liked it.

A Visit With Our "Mate"

Our 6 year old grandson is in the Big Apple to visit us for a while. I flew to Atlanta to meet him and escort him back for his visit with us. This was his very first plane ride. Upon entering the aircraft I asked a man in a blue uniform if he was the pilot. He said yes. So I told Keary that this was the person who would drive the plane for us to fly to NYC. The pilot asked if Keary had flown before and I told him this was a maiden voyage. Keary was invited up into the cockpit. Here he is sitting in the pilot's seat.

The co-pilot spent at least 10 minutes patiently explaining how each of the pieces of equipment was used and how it helped to fly the plane safely.

He flew like a champ. Sat by a window and marveled at all he saw. The take off and landing were smooth. When we flew over New York he spotted the snow and became very excited. Once we were in the city and getting out of the taxi in front of our building he immediately began making snowballs. It was all I could do to get him in the building so I could bring up the bags! Next his grandpop was dragged out into the garden to have a snowball fight. This visit is going to be fun!



Just before he came I bought him a nice warm scarf, hat and mitten/glove things in preparation for the cold. After feeling the temperature he put them on without a single peep of complaint.

When Friends Visit

This is Connie. We met Connie in 1976 when John was assigned by the military to Washington D.C. and wound up working in the same office. Connie is one of those people you are lucky to meet maybe once or twice in a lifetime. She is a special lady. Always there when you need her, willing to listen, dispenses great advice, and she easily forgives your foibles. john and I were lucky enough to share a dinner and breakfast during her short visit.


This is Barbara. Barbara played a very special role in our lives a number of years ago. She is an attorney. When we needed a referral for a custody case she came through for us. Although family law is not her forte Barbara found us a skilled, sympathetic legal pit bull. She drove up from D.C. with Connie and helped us have a great time during the visit.


Here is Trudy. She is a delight. This was Trudy's very first visit to New York City. Seeing the city I love through Trudy's eyes is wonderful. My biggest regret is that these three musketeers were only able to stay one night and two days. Trudy has promised to return when it is not quite so cold and it will be so much fun to show her Manhattan.


Connie's roommate from college is Carolyn. Here they are sharing some old memories and new photos. Carolyn lives here in the city and came to dinner with us.


Barbara and John chatting at dinner. One major topic was the Blackberry versus the Iphone. John was showing Barbara his Blackberry. I showed her my Iphone.


This distinguished gentleman is Cecil. John and I met Cecil at dinner. He also lives here in the city.

Thanksgiving 2008

Our Thanksgiving was really nice. For only the second time all of the family was together for a holiday. Grandparents (us), Four kids, Three significant others, and Four and a half grandchildren. John and I stayed with Daughter #1 and her wonderful partner. He cooked a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for all of us. Daughter #2 made and brought a chocolate cake that was to die for. The grandchildren had a great time with each other. The ages are perfect to have a leader, assistant leader and two willing followers. They are 8, 6, 4 and 3 years old. The half is just that - about a 20 week'er. She will be with us in time for the tulips to bloom.

On the following Saturday we visited the largest aquarium in the United States. A good time was had by all. There were multiple "touching tables" where the little ones could see and feel skates, shrimp, sea anemones, and horseshoe crabs. We also saw the largest whale shark living in an aquarium in the U.S. We were told that it is 22 feet long. It is not really a whale because it does not breathe air (not a mammal) but it also is not a true shark. It has an esophagus the diameter of a quarter thus only eats very small items.



Following the aquarium visit we walked over and ate lunch in the CNN headquarters. The kids liked that a lot too. Lots of giant TV screens on the walls with the news being telecast.

New Definitions for a New Era - Thank God!

OBAMAPHORIA: The postelection rapture that swept over Obama's supporters worldwide.
OBAMANATION: A twist on "abomination," expressed by evangelicals and other conservatives who oppose Obama's stance on abortion, gay marriage and other social issues.
OBAMARAMA: The celebrations around the Jan. 20, 2009, inauguration.
OBAMANOS: A play on "Vamonos," or "Let's go," among Obama fans in Mexico.
OBAMATOPIA: The political paradise that Obama's staunchest supporters hope he'll usher in.
OBAMALUJAH: Exultation shouted by his fans.
OBAMATRONS: The policy wonks who will occupy the West Wing of his White House.
OBAMASCOPE: Media scrutiny of the new leader. (Example: "One hundred days after Barack Obama took office, newspaper editors put the president's economic plan under the Obamascope.")
OBAMANATOR: Hollywood-inspired nickname for the new president – even if he's got what California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger contends are "skinny legs" and "scrawny little arms."
OBAMALICIOUS: Complimentary term used by those who like Obama's looks.
OBAMALOHA: Goodbye, Obama-style, with a nod to Hawaii, his birthplace.
OH-BAMA: Joyful exclamation, via headlines in the Kennebec, Maine, Journal, The Regisister Guard in Eugene, Ore., and The Namibian, from the southern African country of Namibia.
BAMELOT: Description of his presidency, from a New York Post headline that played on the youth and freshness of John F. Kennedy's administration that came to be known as "Camelot."
OBAMERIKA: Headline from the Croatian newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija.
BARACKSTAR: Description from those who believe Obama is "the Mick Jagger of politics" (from Slate.com).

My favorite is "Bamelot". This is the headline on the late city final edition of the New York Post. To borrow a phrase from Star-trek -- may he "live long and prosper".

Guess Who Has a "Man Bag"?

Yep, it is John, my old fashioned-straight laced fella. But he is also pragmatic. Walking the streets of Manhattan is so very different from jumping in a car and driving where you need to go. He was using a fanny pack and trying to use a scientific method of packing it with his current paperback novel, Ipod, emergency rain poncho, etc. So I suggested (frequently) a man bag for him. He has resisted for a number of months but we saw this one at a street fair yesterday and he relented. It is Army green - maybe that is what did the trick. I am certain that once we leave the Big Apple and move somewhere we need a car, the bag will have a new life in the back of a closet.

Presidential Politics

I try to keep this journal strictly as a vehicle for sharing our family activities. But . . . .

This morning we sat and watched a hero of mine General Colin Powell (USA ret.) on Meet The Press. We are a married couple of official senior citizen age as well as retired military. I have been a registered Republican for many years in the past. My hope has always been that the Republican party would have an umbrella under which people of many views could find hope for the future.

After much thought, exploration and now having our thoughts reaffirmed by General Powell we MUST support Sen. Barak Obama in his campaign for the presidency. I am of the age to remember life before Roe v Wade. I knew of classmates who went to back alley dirty motel rooms to have a pregnancy terminated. Some lived, some died, some became infected to the point that they could no longer have children. We did not have 12 and 14 year old children giving birth (or 15 year olds please note Ms. Palin). That was because they did not become pregnant in the massive numbers that we see now. With credit to a religious fundamentalist mindset we now see teenagers who consider having a baby as a status symbol. Adoption no longer seems a popular option.

Obama is not perfect. However, his campaign is not based on division. His base is the American people. Not a particular class, income, age, profession or faith, just people. I am proud to say that I am one of those small contributors to the Obama campaign. Hope is what we need for our future. Not more years of Bush programs, laws etc. that attempt to regulate our life style, medical decisions and beliefs.

Enough said.

Knee Surgery

Here is Dr. Ron Noy. Six days ago he performed surgery on my left knee. We saw him this morning for a follow up visit. He held still long enough for me to snap this picture. Dr. Noy is an orthopaedist. He is a very unusual orthopaedist. You wonder "Why?" That is because when you have an appointment with him he doesn't take a look and then say "surgery". Yes, he is indeed a surgeon and a very good one at that (in my opinion). That pesky knee was worked with in physical therapy for 10 weeks before we talked surgery. John and I would walk in this wonderful city and at the end of the day my left knee looked like a cantaloupe.

Back at work but at least holding still long enough for this snapshot. Ever met a physician, a board certified specialist, who gives his patients his cell phone number? Well here he is.

This sweet lady works with Dr. Noy. She greets, makes appointments and adds a smile to the office.

Here is the patient 24 hours after surgery. Dr. Noy said I would be using something called a cold machine. Never heard of one of those before. It is actually a replacement for the traditional ice bag. It consists of a motorized box (it is gray and sitting on a table next to the bed) with an insulated set of tubing that leads to a sealed pad. The pad is placed on the surgical site - in this case my knee. When operating, a stream of water chilled by the motor to 38 degrees F, is delivered to the pad and then circulated back to the motor unit. The temperature is selected with a sliding button. You keep the cold on the site 24/7 for the first week. Luckily my laptop is handy and I can keep up with some special friends in Thailand.
Tomorrow the physical therapy starts, again.