04.11.2008 - Post-Surgery Update

From Julian's COTA Journal.

Julian spent today in bed, recovering from last night's surgery. He woke up late this morning, still feeling sick, but improved significantly through the course of the day.

The dialysis tech set up the machines around noon, but the nurses didn't arrive until 4:00. By the time we got him hooked up and dialyzing, it was 5; after a 50 minute session - which passed without incident - it was nearly 6. Julian did very well during the dialysis, didn't seem to notice any discomfort during the process. The biggest discomfort for him seemed to be that he has to wear a mask when connecting/disconnecting from the machine.

They're going to dialyze him tomorrow and Sunday as well, then begin him on a Mon-Wed-Fri routine in the out-patient dialysis clinic here at the hospital. However, due to a scheduling issue in that clinic, we won't be able to start going there until late next week - probably Friday. So, Julian will most likely be in-patient until then, if for no other reason than for his dialysis. I anticipate that he'll be disconnected from the probes and fluids before the end of the weekend. He's such a trooper.

We spoke with Julian's Urologist, Dr. Kennedy, this evening as well. We're going to forego the MRI next Wednesday and opt instead to go directly to the kidney transplant. Julian will continue to urinate through his vasecostomy for the next 2-3 years, when we can try the cystoscopy again. If it doesn't work at that time, the Urology Docs will try some creative reconstruction that should allow Julian to have "alternate" urinary function without the burden of a colostomy bag.

So, things are progressing well at the moment, and we're praying that the trend continues.