PSPINC CEO Kenichi Uchikura's Blog

Kidney Transplant Record: Summary of the Past 10 Days

 

Starting from January 19, I underwent a kidney transplant. I want to reflect on these past 10 days for myself.

 

January 19: The Transplant Call and Hospital Admission
In the morning, I received a call from the hospital: “We have found a compatible kidney for you. Please come in for admission immediately.” I quickly canceled my scheduled business trip to Japan, including flights and hotel reservations, which was set for two days later. After completing my final 2.5-hour dialysis session, I arrived at Virginia Mason Hospital (Seattle) at 4:00 PM and began the admission process.

 

February 1: Surgery
The surgery was originally scheduled for 8:00 AM, but due to unstable blood levels, I had to undergo one last dialysis session. Around 3:00 PM, I was informed that the surgery would begin.

 

I remember lying on the operating table and receiving oxygen, but after that, I lost all memory. The next thing I knew, I woke up at 9:00 PM. A nurse greeted me with the words, “The surgery went well. Congratulations.”

 

February 2: From a Smooth Start to a Sudden Concern
When I woke up in the morning, I noticed that urine was continuously flowing through the catheter. I had no sensation of urinating on my own, but urine kept coming out of my body. I was also receiving IV fluids, and I was encouraged to drink plenty of water—2.5 to 3 liters per day. I was surprised, thinking, “Can I really drink that much?”

 

However, around 3:00 PM, urine suddenly stopped accumulating in the catheter. It completely stopped coming out. I became anxious, wondering if the kidney had stopped functioning. The nurses provided me with painkillers, and I waited to see how things would develop.

 

February 3: Identifying the Cause and Taking Action
Even in the morning, there was no urine output, and my abdomen felt extremely bloated. After conducting tests, the doctors confirmed that blood was flowing to the new kidney, but urine was not passing from the kidney to the bladder.

 

In the afternoon, they decided to examine the catheter inside my body using a camera. I underwent another procedure, and once again, I was unconscious on the operating table. When I woke up, urine had started flowing again. The kidney was alive.

 

February 4: Steady Recovery
The urine continued to flow, though it had a reddish tint, appearing mixed with blood. Despite this, I felt relieved knowing that urine was coming out. In the evening, the doctors decided to remove the catheter. After its removal, I had to use a urinal for the first time.

 

However, this resulted in an issue—I couldn't stop urinating. I had to use the urinal every 15 to 30 minutes throughout the night.

 

February 5: Discharge
By morning, everything seemed stable, though the frequent urination continued. Before discharge, I met with a pharmacist and a nutritionist who explained how to take my medications and manage my diet. I was shocked by the number of medications I had to take, but I understood that this was necessary for post-transplant life.

 

By around 7:30 PM, I left the hospital. However, I was constantly worried: "Will I make it home without needing to urinate?"

 

When I lay down in my bed at home, I realized that, unlike the hospital bed, my home bed was flat, which made my surgical wounds hurt more. The battle with frequent urination continued, requiring me to use the urinal every 15 minutes throughout the night.

 

February 6: First Full Day at Home
This was my first full day at home. The urination issue persisted, making it impossible to sleep properly. Still, I kept myself occupied by writing blog posts and updating my social media.

 

I didn’t have much appetite, likely because I was drinking so much water. I didn’t feel as hungry as before.

 

February 7: First Outpatient Visit
I went to the hospital for blood and urine tests, followed by a consultation with my doctor. The medications I was taking required adjustments to manage my blood pressure and blood sugar levels. However, the doctor who was supposed to prescribe new medications was out sick, so the next appointment was scheduled for February 10.

 

February 8: Some Progress
Despite ongoing sleep deprivation, I finally managed to sleep for about an hour in the morning. However, when I woke up, urinating was not as smooth, and I felt some discomfort in my abdomen. I noticed that my urine output in the morning was lower than usual, which made me anxious. All I could do was hope that my kidney continued to function properly.

 

Final Thoughts
These past 10 days have been all about dealing with urination. Time has felt both fast and slow at the same time. I feel the lack of exercise, but because of my frequent urination, I can’t go far from home. This morning, I walked about 800 steps around the house, pacing like an animal in a zoo.

 

I don’t know what will happen next, but I plan to take care of myself and not push too hard. I hope everyone reading this also takes care of their health and avoids going through something like this.