01/27/2026
Star date: 26074.513
Today is surgery. Surgery is at noon but as I often find myself, I was up at 4:00. When up that early it’s coffee time with my bride. That normally lasts two or three hours, then we need a nap because we got up so early. The only people up at this time are all the nurses and aids on the floor.
I was supposed to be here at Methodist Hospital at 10a for noon surgery. However, I received a call about 3p yesterday asking how soon I could arrive last evening they decided they wanted me overnight so they could put a dialysis port in first thing this morning. I am expecting that will take place sometime after 6a.
Rachel rode up with me and we arrived just before six last evening. They brought me to my room and we ordered a pizza. Given the gravity of the surgery, yes, I did have thoughts of a last supper It was an excellent choice. I may have to do that one again once I’m back on solid food.
Today’s surgery is to take out my polycystic kidneys. The current guess is that they now weight someplace in excess of 35 pounds. I will asked to be weighed pre and post surgery to get an accurate picture of how big those suckers are.
When my father had his kidneys removed in 2000, they weighed in at about 42 pounds. That was after his doctors did surgery and drained the existing cysts in 1969. Had they not been drained, I cannot imagine how large they would have grown. About five years ago, I read an article in London’s Daily Mail, of a man who had his polycystic kidneys removed, and they came in at over 44 kilograms. Since reading that article, I thought that my father’s kidneys could have been pushing that, had they not been drained.
Pondering my own nephrectomy has been a real mix of curiosities. I have had this porch in front of me for so long, I’m thinking I will be like that awkward teenager who doesn’t know what to do with his hands at the school dance. I had experience with that also.
I fold my hands over my belly. I rest a book I’m reading on my belly. I catch my cookie crumbs on my belly. The dog lays his head on my belly. I have to shift my body to sit down or get up because of my belly. I flop when lying down and have to roll getting up because of my belly. I have to fight getting compression socks on because of my belly.
Men, your suit pants have three connections on the pants; an inside button, a clasp, and an outside button. Because my belly is so large (55 1/2 inches) I can almost not properly secure my suit pants. I am decidedly off balance because of my belly. Just this morning, I wobbled into the bathroom door here in my room and cut my arm.
All of that (and a whole lot more could be said of their interference in life and living) to say that these polycystic kidneys have ruled every aspect of my life and living for many years now.
And it all goes away in about four hours. I wonder about how off balance I will be now because this counterweight is suddenly gone. My shirts were special made because off the rack no longer fits. Mo and I talked to a lady yesterday about altering those shirts to fit me post-op. My suits which do not fit me now because I am too big for them, will not fit me post-op because they will be too big for me. It’s a hoot.
Fortunately, Mo did not cut up my dress shirts I grew out ten years ago, to make a quilt. Anything cloth lying around is in danger of meeting the rotary cutter. However, she set them aside on the offhand chance there would be a day like today.
After today, I will be in dialysis for three weeks and then on February 19, I am scheduled to receive a transplant. That in itself is a surreal thing to ponder.
Tasha is donating a kidney on February 17, to a person in need. She is doing this on my behalf. Whoever that individual is that is receiving Tasha’s kidney, has a family member or a friend who is donating a kidney on their behalf. I am the recipient of two separate acts of love. I am a man truly blessed.
I will write more on the other side of today’s events
I live by His grace and for His glory.
Jack
