So some of y'all already know but last summer we found out the guy that's been my best friend since we were 15 was in end stage or late stage, whatever it's called, kidney disease. He got into the living donor program at Vanderbilt and out of everyone that sent in blood samples to be tested, 4 of us were matches. Out of the 4 I wound up being the best match and passed all of the additional testing. Tomorrow morning we go under the knife to do his kidney transplant. Due to my left kidney having an extra artery they are going to take my right kidney and do it robotically so that should be cool. Any positive vibes, prayers if you're religious, etc are greatly appreciated. Despite me being a shit poster most of the time, you guys are great and a bunch of y'all helped get me through my divorce. If all goes well, I'll be back shit posting within a few days.
Incredible thing you're doing for a friend. I hope to have friends like you. Sending all the best to you and your buddy, brother.
I believe this is the machine that will be operating on me. So if I start posting like a terminator, y'all know why. It's cause Skynet took over and I'm starting the robot apocalypse.
Thanks man. It wasn't a hard decision but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. After 30 years, he's more family than friend.
Plus I mean, once we won't risk busting open stiches or anything by laughing I can walk up to him and whisper "I'm inside you now".. who wouldn't want to have that opportunity? lol.
Robotic assisted surgery is incredible. We have a 4K view, better dexterity, usually less pain. It’s also so much fun to drive
I thought for sure someone else here had experience with this. Then again I do have a shit memory most of the time.
Yea. It’s me. I was on the receiving end. Living that 3 kidney life. Unfortunately, you are going to have a worse go of it than your friend for the next couple weeks. But your quality of life once you recover from the surgery won’t change a bit. You are doing a wonderful thing. Just be ready to take it easy in bed for a week or 2. sending all the positive vibes.
I’m the one making those jokes in my situation. We have a big family group chat and anytime something happens in his life, like a birthday or something, I say thank you on behalf of his kidney.
This is amazing. And a lot more hopeful than what I figured I was about to read. You’re an amazing friend and sending good vibes only your way the next 48 hours
Thankfully my work has went above and beyond with support and are fully prepared for me to not be online for a bit and then to be fully remote till I can get back in the office. We have a big group of family and friends in the area to help us both so that's going to be a huge help I imagine.
I told him if we are 80 and in a nursing home together, if I want his pudding cup at lunch, I better get it lol.
Big fan of you Jax Teller My brother gave up his kidney to save his wife's life thank you for being a stand up human
that's great news. From what I remember my cousin basically was bed ridden for 2ish weeks hopped up on pain killers. His job was really accomodating as well. Glad yours is stepping up. He should be back to normal pretty quickly. After 7 days the catheter comes out and he will feel like a new man.
I donated a portion of my penis to blind dog so he would finally have one. That might be what you’re thinking of
That's absolutely amazing on your part and as an additional, there are not many places in the world better at this than Vandy so thoughts and prayers but also a lot of confidence they'll nail this procedure and I'll post some of my friend's asses once you get back to posting
That's awesome of you man - a lot of people say they would do it but don't when it comes down to it. Tons of respect and wish you a fast recovering.
My director sent a meeting invite today for information sharing. I had my notebook ready and everything. When I got on the call there was about 50 people from all our regions, from Mexico to Michigan, on it. They all had changed their zoom backgrounds to things like get well soon, praying for you both, you got this, etc. It was just a 15 min call to show their support but you talk about my allergies acting up. Was really awesome of them to show their support for us both like that.
To make me feel even better, my primary surgeon is chief of the division at Vandy and on robotic removals she's assisted by an assistant professor of surgery at Vandy. To say that I feel like I'm in good hands is an understatement.
Avenge me and take out all the Boston Dynamic robots. Oh and shit on George Martin's grave for me when he dies without finishing the books.
This is a truly selfless and wonderful thing to do OP. My 9 year old daughter has stage 3 chronic kidney disease and had 1 kidney removed summer of 2021. I fear we will be in your friends position at some point in the future, hopefully the way distant future. If my wife and I, or another family member don’t match, I can only hope my daughter has a friend as good as you are.
It’s honestly better to just get it done. My quality of life post surgery is so much better than it was before.
I'm so sorry you're daughter is dealing with it. I can't imagine dealing with it that young. I'm sure she's handling it better than most of us would. I'll be praying for your family as well man.
you may be right, but she’s improving to a point they may reduce her from stage 3/chronic kidney disease to stage 2. The removal of the bad kidney has really made a stark difference. thanks brother. She’s a trooper and a badass to the nth degree and has been doing extraordinarily well since her nephrectomy. not trying to make this about me though, but appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I’m not much of a praying man, but you have all my positive vibes and energy tomorrow and through your recovery.
I'm not a God has a plan guy but it makes you think sometimes. I was the shy, nerdy new kid when i moved to Bama and he was the cool guy. No one would have picked us to be friends at all, let alone best friends for 30 years. Moves, weddings, divorces, etc. Then this happens. Not to get all sappy and emotional on yall.