Transplanted



I am not, as it turns out, in New York. I am preparing to head back down to the hospital.

Nine years ago, the week before my flight to America, my mother was diagnosed with kidney failure. Those of you who know me from way back might remember seeing her in a wheelchair when she was seeing me off. She and my dad had been supposed to accompany me in my first week before college; there was no way to do that, obviously, when she was so weak.

Last night, 6 hours before another flight to America, I drove home at midnight from a corporate function to an empty house - and a very puzzled, sad family dog. So after playing with Rerun for a bit, I went to call my mother. Turned out the call had come: a transplant was available, and my parents were at the hospital. And then some agonising back and forth while my mother underdid the tests - her blood pressure was really high, and there was some fear that she might not be allowed to have the op.

Fortunately, the doctor cleared her. So Saturday morning was spent with her before she underwent the transplant: I gave her a little Cairn terrier fridge magnet that I had bought for her on impulse the day before, and the relatives all came to wish her the best. She asked me to go and help her buy a hair brush, and I teased her about her vanity.

The doctor was late, due to an emergency. I spent the extra hour pacing about the room: worried that this chance might slip out of her grasp. Then the nurse came with the oxygen machine: such a relief.

She went into the operating theatre at 3.45pm. She came out at 10.30pm.

When she was wheeled out after that long, excruciating operation (there had been some blood loss, it turns out, so it took twice as long), she was completely groggy, mostly out of it. But she held her hand out for my dad to hold, and I ran alongside the stretcher. And just before they wheeled her into the high dependency ward - where, to protect her body, we wouldn't be allowed to go in to see her for the next two weeks, only to view her through the glass - I bent over and kissed her hand.

For nine years my mother hasn't had more than a sip of anything to drink. Her kidneys just wouldn't allow it. When she comes out of the hospital, I'm getting her an old favourite: a nice baby coconut.

Comments

Laughingcow said…
This brought tears to my eyes. Glad the op went well, and here's wishing your mom a smooth and speedy recovery. :)
Niti Bhan said…
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your mother. I've sat outside the ICU for mine, I empathize with you.
Anonymous said…
Wishing your mom a speedy recovery. Sorry we didn't get to meet up during my hols. I found some last minute job and was kinda busy after that. Will be back in July. I'll call you then!
Anonymous said…
Tell your mom that a couple of random strangers on the Internet are really happy about the chance she's had, and wish her the best for her recovery. I guess she might think it's residual delirium from the anaesthesia but you can assure her it's all true. :)

Yay Daryl's Mom!
Wishing all the best and a speedy recovery for your mom.
Anonymous said…
i spent 3 months shuttling in and out of the hospital when my aunt had to undergo a major heart operation. Some complications arose and she was operated on shortly after the first operation. From the ICU to a normal ward and back to the ICU, it was a toss of emotions.

God bless your mum. She'll have a speedy recovery with a great son like you.
Anonymous said…
Best regards to you and your family.
Daryl said…
Thanks for all the good wishes everyone.
dogfather said…
=D well done. happy for you Daryl.
Anonymous said…
hope everything goes well from here on. hang in there! RSN will be thinking of you. :-)
David Welch said…
Hope everything turns out well for your mom . . .
Anonymous said…
My best to your Mom and your family.
Jere said…
My thoughts are with your mom. And when you do get to New York, feel free to look me up.

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