caterina

2009: Five years post transplant

2009 started out with a  bang! As a reminder of our continued struggles in this world post-transplant, January brought a host of kidney scares. Due to the intense regimen of medications that Caterina has been on, her kidneys began to show signs of strain early in 2009. She was having trouble balancing her electrolytes and her kidney functions all were out of whack. We added another specialist to her list of caregivers… nephrologist. To further protect her kidneys, she is on a regimen of high blood pressure medication. We have to be very careful with what medicines she will take going forward, particularly antibiotics. We have also added a liter of water to her daily intake. Most of this we give through her g-tube.

She has grown almost 3 centimeters in 2009 after two years where we saw very little growth. It’s as if her system is finally kicking in and good health has sprung forth, despite the challenges.

Thankfully 2009 has brought only good health to dear Cati after the kidney scare! For the first time since her transplant, she was given the green light to travel outside our primary medical care areas (NYC and North Carolina). She went to Florida for Spring Break. In June, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted her a 6 day trip to Disney World, with the entire family. This was simply magical!

She was able to travel to the Dominican Republic 2 times this year, both trips were frankly seemed surreal to me. It’s as if I was able to finally travel outside of the twilight zone. The journey has been long, but to watch her savor every moment of each of these fabulous vacations was worth it!

August 6th she celebrated 5 years transplant birthday! We celebrated by visiting Unit 5200 at Duke Hospital and spending time with those who cared for her during that very precarious period. The fragility of our physical selves but the strength of our spiritual selves was manifested clearly during that visit. Although five long years have gone by, it seemed like just yesterday that she was given this new chance at life. Every year has brought a new challenge and a new hope. We hang on to the hopes.

She was accepted at a Kindergarten at a school in Brooklyn, where she is starting this September. So many changes and so much to look forward! Here is to a very blessed five years! We look forward to the future with open arms.