Callie's Journey After Transplant

Heeyyyyy!

I am Katelynn, but I am 1 of many here supporting my girl Callie. 1st I want to Thank You for clicking this link. Thank you for your interest in wanting to learn about Callie and feeling led to help support her along this journey. Now without further ado I will attach Callie's story directly from her: (She tells it best )

6 : 11 : 2023

I typically stay private with my personal life, but I feel led to start opening up and sharing my testimony with others.

So, here goes….

Yesterday I had a kidney and pancreas transplant.

I was diagnosed with kidney failure last year and was quickly started on dialysis. I’ve spent the past few months in and out of hospitals and doctor offices, trying to adapt to my new normal. I was listed with UNOS and finally received a call on Friday night around 8:30p with an offer for a kidney and pancreas.

I don’t even know how to explain the emotions that went through my head. My first feeling was pain. Pain for the family of the donor who are grieving the loss of their loved one. Their child.

The next was peace. I had an overwhelming sense of peace and knew that God knew exactly what he was doing. I have never felt so sure of my faith and in His plan, like I did then and do now.

Please continue to pray for me. For my family. I’m still in ICU and will hopefully be transferred to a regular recovery room in the next day or two. This is going to be a slow process, but I’m 100% okay with that. God has carried me this far, and I have no doubt that he’ll continue to carry me even farther.

Grit and Grace

6 : 12 : 2023

Today started off tough.

Second day post op was one for the books. My day started at 3:00a this morning with my mom holding my hand as I cried in pain.

What is it with mom’s and their ability to take away pain? I couldn’t get through this without her.

As the day went on, it got better and better. I had visitors, I got my NG tube out, and I was able to sip on some chicken broth. They’re hoping to move me out of ICU tomorrow and into a regular recovery room. My arterial line was removed and that is one less line attached to me! (I’m choosing to celebrate the small victories).

I am surrounded by so many wonderful people. I’ve made lifelong friendships with my nurses and feel so overwhelmingly cared for by so many. The messages, texts, and calls have been pouring in. Please bare with me as I slowly answer them.

I had my friend count for me today. He said that I have 37 staples. My incision looks wonderful and I’m healing well.

God has been so good to me. Please keep the prayers coming my way for me and my family. My mom hasn’t left my side.

Love you all more than you know

GRIT AND GRACE

6 : 15 : 2023

I’ve been MIA for the past two days and I know that I’ve been bad about answering calls and texts, but if I’m being completely transparent, it’s been a rough couple of days. We’ve had a hard time staying on top of my pain.

Good news is that I was able to get my foley out and most of my IVs. I also had my Cather placed, which means that they can draw blood straight from it without tearing up the veins in my arms. That has been wonderful.

My creatinine is down to a 0.8 which is absolutely amazing and my blood sugars are staying around the 80’s without any insulin whatsoever. I can’t really process that right now.

I’m still waiting on X-ray results to make sure I don’t have any internal bleeding and I just found out that I do have a kidney/uti infection that I’m going to have to start antibiotics for.

I am so so grateful for all of the calls, posts, and texts. I may not answer them, but I read them all.

My God has not left my side and even though I’ve had moments where I question this decision, I know it was the right choice. I was sick. I was dying.

Please continue to send your prayers to me and my family. They’re working.

I love you all more than youll ever know.

grit and grace, baby!

6 : 18 : 2023

Hey Facebook family!

I’ve been pretty silent the past few days, I know. To be completely honest, I’ve been struggling. Physically and mentally. There have been times where I’ve completely questioned this decision.

“Callie, what were you thinking?!”

“You were perfectly happy and settled in to doing dialysis. Why would you change that?”

The list of questions go on.

However, I’m quickly reminded that I am surrounded by so many people who love me and want to see me thrive. I know that this is just a season in my life and that God has had his hand in this from day one.

I’ve been completely and utterly humbled by all of this. My outlook on life has completely changed and I’m glad. Life is so short, so make the best of it. Love fiercely and out loud.

My numbers are looking great, aside fron my slightly elevated white blood cell count (which we’ll continue to monitor). My new pancreas and kidney are working beautifully. I had both of my JP drains pulled two days ago and that has helped with some of my pain. My appetite is non existent, but im making sure to eat SOMETHING at every meal and have been really pushing my water intake. (Apparently, the pancreas is a very fickle organ and doesn’t like to be dehydrated).

Mom and dad have been taking turns staying with me and I’ve had quite a few visitors, which completely lifts my spirits and brightens my day.

Our goal is to break free of this place today. I’ll be staying with mom and dad for a while and will have to be a hermit for the first month post surgery. My immune system is non existent.

Thank you for all of your calls, texts, and messages. They have been such a great thing to have during my healing journey.

I’ll try my best to keep everyone updated. Please continue to send all of your prayers. My heart is overwhelmed with all of the love and support I’ve had throughout all of this.

UPDATE: they’re keeping me another day to monitor my white blood cell count.

I love you all

And as always…

grit & grace

6 : 19 : 2023

I’m home