It's been a few weeks since I blogged, mainly since everything is status quo. Boring is good, though.

I recently had my routine monthly check ups with the Transplant Surgeon and Transplant Nephrologist; I'm still getting bi-weekly labs.

The main issue at the surgery visit was that of my fistula. I have several aneurysms (the fistula is at the inner bend of my elbow and is visible all the way to my chest) that I've had ballooned open several times prior to transplant, as well as a stent in my chest, and was scheduled prior to tranplant to have another stent placed at the bottom part of the fistula right above the elbow. Since I had my transplant several days prior to the appointment, it was cancelled, and the surgeon told me he would address it 3 months after surgery. I asked about it at the appointment, and long story short: I'm keeping the fistula (I draw blood from my fistula for labs, since the veins in the other arm are so terrible). If I were to get it ligated (tied off), the surgeon would have to make several incisions up my arm and remove the vein.

Otherwise, my labs are good; Prograf level is a little lower but within range, WBC is normal, platelets are normal (but falling), and my CMV is still negative (CMV + kidney, and I am CMV -).

The Nephrology appt was good as well. My hemoglobin is coming up nicely after starting Procrit a few weeks back; I anticipate that I'll only need it a few more weeks. My PTH is down to 106, and creatinine is rock stable at 1.2. My BP is still good, and I'm off my BP meds since the winter.

I also had my lipid profile checked, and it's much better than I thought. I expected a rise in cholesterol, since Prograf tends to raise it, but my cholesterol is 140, and my HDL is a little elevated (which is good). I've been walking 5 days a week, about 25 minutes each time, so I think that is helping.

I've gained 20 lbs since transplant, but I'm still 15 lbs below my baseline post-gastric bypass weight.