officially a member

So now I'm a member of the one-kidney club and it feels pretty good. It feels even better being out of the hospital. I got up this morning at 6 a.m. because I wanted to be up and moving around for my doctors. I also went and visited Annie in her room while she was eating her early breakfast. She's on a more restricted eating routine because for some of her meds she has to have an empty stomach.

The docs were all impressed that I was up and about. Everything was looking good and my mom made sure that I got a picture with Dr. Andrews and some of the nurses that had been taking care of me. I was wheeled out of the hospital with some vicodin and some stool softeners, so that'll last me awhile. Annie and Kendall met me outside with a card and gift. I did really well controlling my tears then because they could've flowed pretty easily. The card read, "Words cannot describe just how special you are." Then she gave me an angel. It was an absolutely beautiful gift and I know I'll cherish it forever. We gave each other a very careful hug, making sure we weren't touching any of our incisions and then I was one my way to the transplant house.

People's reactions have been so sweet and wonderful when I tell them I've donated a kidney. One thing I forgot to mention in pt. 1 was that when I was laying in the stretcher in the pre-op room crying with my mom, a lady who had seen us in the waiting room and was standing across from us came over to say hello. She said she couldn't help but say that what I was doing was a noble thing and that she was very impressed. That, of course, made me cry harder but I managed to tell her thank you in between the sobs. Here at the transplant house, they've been equally as nice. There are two people here who are liver lobe recipients and are doing great. They're up walking around and socializing. It truly is a great atmosphere.

It feels good to be a part of the one-kidney club. But right now, I think it's time for some rest.