There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can.

I took the title quote from another blog I read. It is so true! Neal was in quite a bit of pain last night, but I believe they now have it under control. He was starting to not make sense and laugh in his sleep, but it has worn off since. He will be getting his last dose of medicine to kill off his T-cells tonight. So far he has had no reaction. Considering the last time he had it this is wonderful news. The other good news regard the cost of prescriptions. Luckily I put Neal on my insurance because they cover much better. From what I can read it will only be $270 for 3 months supply of his new medicines.

Ryan is doing good. He is going to be playing some Wii today. I think he is progressing a little slower than he anticipated, but he did not know what to anticipate. Neal has been through many major surgeries, so he know what to expect. He was a healthy man going into surgery, therefore I would assume this is a shock to his system. I am sure by the end of the week he will be in much better shape. He is getting around just fine on his own. As the guys keep saying whatever the doctors say is normal may not apply to them. For some reason, nothing is ever normal around us!

Who is out there? We like to hear comments, so please post or at least let us know you are out there. I never did figure out my counter.

I am went back to work this week until Neal comes home so anyone that is healthy can visit. He is still pretty tired, so he may doze off.

"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!"
--Dr. Seuss

Neal is still in pain and is not moving around quite as much as he should, but by tomorrow I am sure he will be more comfortable. He did get his catheter out today, which is a step in the right direction. His inputs and outputs are looking great. He should be coming home on Tuesday. His numbers continue to look great. I cannot tell you how many bananas he has eaten. We requested a consult with a Neurologist and he came in today. Unfortunately they will not clear him to drive until early April.

Ryan is doing well. He is comfortable in his house. He seems to be getting around pretty well. I was able to snatch him another pair of non-stick socks to wear around the house. His appetite is slow to come back, but hey, it is the Neal Kothe diet. Nothing like ice water. Connor is back at home with his parents and doing well.

We got a call from 10tv news today. I will post when/if they do a story, but they are asking when they can meet with the guys. Hopefully they can inspire more people to be organ donors.

Miracles do happen!

All is going well. Neal's kidney continues to work better everyday. He is in the best medical health he has been in for probably 15 years. The surgery did not impact the kidney at all. He was still in some pain today and did not get around much, but tomorrow he should be up and moving. It was so nice to hear the guys from dialysis call him the other night and he was bragging about how good he felt and how he loves being able to eat whatever he wants and not constantly take drugs!

I stopped over Ryan and Leslie's and they are doing good. Ryan has been able to get up and down the stairs. Ryan was visiting with his brother in law so Leslie and I got to head out for a little while. He will have some follow up, but prior tests that were done show he has nothing to worry about.

Overall this week has changed all of our lives. It will take some time for us to absorb everything. I do believe we will all lead healthy lives and have a great time together! This summer I am sure we will be making quite a few camping trips. We are all very thankful. I cannot say enough how strong these guys are. Here we come Ellen!

And history is made....

Surgery was a success. All of the cancer was removed and the kidney was not harmed. The surgeon was able to remove the cancer without clamping off the blood supply. The kidney is still producing urine. They had to remove less than the 5% anticipated. Neal was in some pain after the surgery, but within an hour he was brushing his teeth and reading the newspaper. Neal should be discharged Monday or Tuesday. Here is a picture of Neal after the surgery with his kidney pillow that the hospital gave both of the guys. He is much happier than he looks!

Ryan stayed at the hospital until we heard the word that Neal's surgery was a success. Ryan was feeling much better today and was getting around quite well. He was discharged shortly after Neal's surgery was complete. He was able to make it up stairs and is resting in bed. Ryan has follow up appointments scheduled, but the doctors anticipate he will make a great recovery. Here is a picture of Ryan and Leslie leaving. Ryan decided he looked so good in the hospital gown that he would take it home. It was too cold out for his to show a little leg!

Leslie has been a real trooper going through all of this. I have been through a lot and know how difficult it is. She has handled everything amazingly. Without her support this would not have happened. We also need to thank both of our families. We have had tremendous support and I believe we all feel like a big family. People really can be amazing. Thanks also to Kathy and Harry and Patty and Ed for helping with Connor. I cannot imagine going through this with a child. He has been in good hands. His visits helped to put smiles on a lot of faces. When Connor grows up he will be proud to have 2 very brave and selfless parents and a very healthy Uncle to spoil him!

This was only the second reported case in the world of a kidney with cancer being transplanted. The other reported case was in Germany. The team did an excellent job solving the problem and does not anticipate any further problems. The kidney should have a long life. A unique case for two very unique and special men. Two people saving each others life in this degree is exceptional. We will be bonded for life. Neal has already requested a framed copy of the article that will most likely be published regarding this case! Hopefully we will be on Oprah some day and win a free trip around the world!

One step forward and two steps back

Neal went back into the OR today. Everyone is optomistic that the cancer will be easily removed and the kidney will be functioning. I will post when he is out.

Ryan is doing much better today. He is looking and acting like himself which is good to see. He will be discharged this afternoon.

By next week everyone should be feeling much better.

What a long day. We did get a good visit from the oncologist. Tomorrow Neal is getting a partial nephrectomy. They will go back through the transplant incision. This is very rare, but the doctors believe everything will go smoothly. They do not believe they will have to disconnect the kidney. The cyst is in the perfect location on the edge away from the blood source and bladder, therefore it should have no impact. About 5% of the kidney will be removed. The kidney is not anticipated to be impacted and should be working immediately.

Ryan and Leslie were able to meet with the oncologist. We were all relieved that he was an excellent, compassionate doctor, which is hard to find. They will be running some further tests on Ryan to be sure the cancer did not spread, however they do not anticipate finding anything. The cancer is extremely slow moving, therefore the treatment would be to simply remove the cyst. In a normal case, the removal would be the cure. No radiation or chemo is necessary. So Ryan is cancer free. Ryan's other kidney did not show any signs of cancer. They will do a repeat scan to ensure this is still the case and he will be monitored going forward.

The doctors are confident both men will be home and healthy shortly. A long day, but perhaps a gift was given between two best friends. One will return to a normal life with a healthy kidney and the other will be cancer free.

No visitors

No visitors at this time.

Cancer. It is a horrible word. Probably worse then the F*@! bomb. Unfortunately we had to hear this word today. I never in a million years could have seen this curve ball. The doctor tried to convince us that it is not such a bad word, but who is he kidding.

There was a cyst on Ryan's kidney, which is very common. The cyst was studied and they concluded it is multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma aka cancer. You are probably asking why did they not test this first. According to the surgeon, a good percent of people have cysts, so they were not surprised when they saw it. The cyst was removed before the kidney was put into Neal, however there could still be some remaining on the kidney. We are both going to meet the oncologist to talk further. Luckily Les' brother is a doctor and had just recently read an article about this same case. What we know is that it is extremely rare and does not spread aggressively. Ryan's other kidney looks good, but he will need to have some further follow up. As of right now, Neal is scheduled to have surgery again tomorrow for a partial nephrectomy. They do not believe this will affect Neal long term, it is simply another bump in the road. The kidney should remain working after the partial nephrectomy. They also think Ryan will be just fine. The cancer is rare, but since it is not aggressive many people never even know they have it. The doctor stated that if Ryan had not donated his kidney, he may have never known he had this type of cancer. Neal should still be home by next week and Ryan should be home in the next day or two.

Ok so again I ask why. Neal has been through enough and we do not want to drag Ryan and Leslie into this mess. I just want them to get to move on with there life and not have any effects from this. It has soaked in now and we are feeling optimistic, but it is a bit much.