Tomorrow marks the four-week (one-month) point after my kidney donation.

So, how do I and my recipient feel? Well, we are both doing great. I went back to work last week, to include my morning stops at the gym. Every morning, I walked on the treadmill with a pretty good incline (set at 10), and I also spent some time on the stationary bicycle. I made it through each day just fine. And, it was only on Friday evening – when I stayed out late – that I felt some of the fatigue I had been worried about. So, my note to myself is that I need to make sure I’ve had more sleep before I stay out late. It was a lot of fun, though!

My recipient (stepdad) has continued his walking routine and is doing well with it. He’s more active now than he was before the surgery. I believe he is walking about 1.5 miles, if not closer to 2, each day. I’m so happy that he and my mom are enjoying getting out and feeling great!

And the best news is that yesterday, I got out on a bicycle for the first time since my surgery. We had amazingly nice weather for early January, and my husband and a friend and I rode about 35 miles, with some gradual hills. I did feel a little discomfort being in the biking position (leaning over to hold the handlebars), but it wasn’t too bad. (I ride a tri bike; so I decided not to get into the aero bars too much because of this discomfort.) I also think I engaged my ab. muscles more than I realized I would. So, I have some minor pain from that. My ab. muscles are clearly not ready for much yet. But, overall, I felt good and able to ride, which is great.

Up until yesterday, I had not had any alcohol since my surgery. I just didn’t want to ingest anything that would be unhealthy. But yesterday evening, my husband and I went out for Mexican food, and I had a margarita. It was really good, but I did feel a little below par this morning. Overall, I’ve decided not to be much of a drinker going forward. I’m sure it wouldn’t be too harmful to have something every now and then, but I need to be nice to my body!

Well, that’s all the news for now. Until next time…
-JB