One Year Post Transplant February 2, 2013

Hello Everyone,

One year ago today, we were a nervous wreck knowing that Tyler and myself were preparing to go into surgery the following day. I think every emotion possible crossed my mind, but what I remember the most is having a feeling of peace knowing that this would help him become healthy.

Whatever fears I had were quickly dismissed knowing that in the end, although a transplant is not a cure they told me, but a treatment I still felt this was our chance to improve my sons life and here we sit one year post-transplant and that is exactly what happened!!!!

Every single day we read about illness that people face and thank God that we have been given the gift of health. Day in and day out I sit and fill that pill box with the medications needed for "our kidney" to survive I am reminded of how quick things can change and how lucky we are that our story although  not over, has up until this date had a good ending.

Our situation showed me how strong my sons are. Tyler enduring the illness and Ryan enduring all the focus we had to put into saving his brother. It has proved to me that my husband and I are such a united front that we can make anything possible. It warmed my heart to have my family and friends reach out whenever we needed a hand. To say this has changed my outlook on life would be an understatement.

Tyler is scheduled next Wednesday Feb. 6th for his yearly check. He will have a renal ultrasound, an echo cardiogram blood work and his checkup. He is feeling great so we expect that all will be well. May you all be blessed with good health in the future.

As of today over 117,000 people just in United States alone sit on a transplant list of some kind, please pray for those still waiting.....

We are truly blessed!!!!
The Murphy Family

Almost 5 months!!!!

Hello,

We hope everyone is doing well!!!  It will soon be 5 months since the kidney transplant I thought I would give everyone an update.

I am doing very well, to me it feels like I never even donated, other than the obvious battle wounds!! Tyler has been doing well taking all his medications like clockwork and in general feeling pretty good.

Unfortunately, his creatinine level (kidney function) was declining just a little bit when we went for blood work on Tuesday. He had a renal ultrasound on Wednesday and they do not see anything wrong as far as the "structural" part of the kidney. So, on Monday we do have to get another kidney biopsy because as the doctor explained they do not want to miss anything as far as rejection goes.

Of course, Tyler is not to happy about this and having to spend another night in the hospital. The reason they do this is to check and see if antibodies have developed against the new kidney or if it could be cellular.

We are praying nothing is happening at all, but better safe than sorry. So, add an extra prayer if you would that this biopsy turns out well!

We will update as soon as we know.

Susanne and Steve

Long week with the WBC

Good morning everyone,

For the past week or two Tylers WBC has been getting lower and lower. Since last Friday he has had to get blood work Tuesday,Wednesday and today. It was so low he unfortunately had to get two shots already this week and this morning we are here waiting for results to see if he has to get another one.

These shots that boost his WBC are called Neupogen, with all the different medications that make his immune system so low sometimes this happens. Hopefully they are working because of course otherwise we will be worried about him getting sick even with a basic cold. Keep your fingers crossed these are working.

Also, I want to mention that this Saturday my nephew Logan will be at St. Teresa doing a lemonade stand to raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. As I have told you before he is battling ALL and has been such a fighter and inspiration to all of us! So, if you happen to be around the area please stop by and show your support between 7:00 and 1:00. 

Otherwise, have a great weekend and we will keep you updated.

The Murphy Family

Post Transplant Update April 17, 2012

Hello,

I know I have not posted for a while, but that is just because everything is going very well!!!!!! It actually feels good to not update constantly haha. Anyway Tyler is doing wonderful and other than his WBC taking a few dips, he is adjusting to the kidney just fine.

Also, I myself just had another check up this past Friday and just this morning found out that all my blood work looks spectacular! My one kidney is doing perfect and my kidney function is considered to be the same as if I still had two! I would never wish this experience on anyone, but I will say it has made us stronger and more appreciative of health, family, friends, and just life in general. You never know what is around the corner so live for the day.

Also this past Friday, the doctor asked Tyler to speak with a twelve year old boy that just arrived at Children's from Toledo who was preparing for a deceased donor kidney transplant. I think God put him there at that specific time because this child also suffered from HSP just like Tyler. Dr. Goebel said Tyler and this other boy are the only two cases he knows of from Ohio that had kidney failure from this. Tyler is up there today for another check up and will be delivering him a little care package from us which includes a Cincinnati Reds hat so he always remembers someone in Cincy is praying for him.

April is donate life month and we just want to say please make sure you are an organ donor, people are saved everyday by your gift of life. Currently there are 91,000 waiting for a kidney alone and many others waiting on organ lists.  Please keep the prayers going and don't forget to keep praying for my nephew Logan as he continues to battle Leukemia.

Love to all,

The Murphy Family

Post-Transplant update

Hello everyone!

Well, we are going into our 4th week and Tyler and I are healing very well. Tyler goes at least twice a week to the doctor for blood tests and medication changes and so far he is accepting my kidney like it belonged in his body! I went this past Friday for my check up with the surgeon and he said I am doing well. I will return in 6 weeks and they will do a renal panel on me to make sure my remaining kidney is doing the work of both.

Other than some serious boredom of all of our parts, the healing process has gone smooth. Not only in these past few weeks, but for two years we have been overwhelmed with our support we have had from everyone. Friends, family, neighbors, old classmates, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. have been our constant source of shoulders to lean on!

I just wanted to mention also that the 7th grade girls basketball team from Lourdes that Steve coaches are wonderful!! They all got together and sent the ladies over and they cleaned our house this morning and gave us a gift card to go out to eat! We just could not ask for a better community! So a big thank you to all the parents! Continued good health to all and prayers for anyone who needs it!

The Murphy Family

Post Transplant Update Feb. 15 2012

Hello,

Here we are almost 2 weeks after surgery and we are still amazed with this entire process. Tyler is doing wonderful, he is not loving taking 30 some pills everyday, but as we explained to him it will eventually get to be lower doses. Also, it is been a challenge to explain that he cannot go out of the house and be around groups of people because as we all know 15 year old boys want to be on the go.

I am also feeling better each day and have to realize that I am 38 not 15 and my healing process will be slower. It is also hard to accept that I will feel great one day then the next day my pain is back again. Somewhat frustrating, but I guess I should take advantage of laying around!

Ty has been back twice to Children's already and will be going twice a week for a few months while they get all the medicine in order. I will go back next week so my doctor can check my kidney function and how well my incisions are healing. We have continued to be blessed with help from family and friends. Dinners, calls, cards etc. are all very much appreciated! Steve is taking very good care of us and has been on top of everything which makes the healing process easier. I will keep the updates coming.

Thanks,
Susanne and Steve, Ry and Ty

Starting to get back to our new normal....

Hello everyone!

I am finally feeling up to writing in the blog. I cannot believe it is already six days post-surgery. As you all know my surgery on Thursday was nothing less than a perfect surgery. The doctors said they wish they could of taped it because it was like my kidney was made for him. I don't remember much from Thursday and Friday other than just sleeping taking medicine and some serious pain. Thankfully my sisters were able to spend the night and family was here with Steve Tyler and I the entire time. And Tyler never missed a beat and was feeling well right away!

So, when Saturday arrived I thought things would just keep getting better and then murphys law took over and I was very wrong lol. Since I was so nauseated they were trying to give me medicine for that and after getting sick twice they tried a different one and all hell broke loose. From what I remember and was told, I was shaking violently and before you knew it EKG machines, chest xrays and more medicines were given then I think I woke up 5 hours later.

That was our only setback so we are feeling good now about our recoveries. My family does have some funny stories that I am sure will be passed around eventually! Thanks for all the continued prayers and I will keep updating daily!
Love to all,
Susanne Steve Ry and Ty