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Healthy Aging After an Organ Transplant 1 day ago | By Kristin Eggebraaten (@keggebraaten)
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@shiva8752

Hi, I had my kidney transplant surgery about 4 months ago. Just two weeks ago, I suffered scrotum swelling and infection. I am recovering by using antibiotic injections. I feel very weak and had to use a walker around the house. I am eating fine but not so great as I do not have a good appetite. I am getting PT help for 30 minutes twice a week. But that is not making strong. My doctors say it will take time to gain physical strength. Can someone explain how to gain physical strength and walk and drive my car again?

Thanks.

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Replies to "Hi, I had my kidney transplant surgery about 4 months ago. Just two weeks ago, I..."
stephanierp | @stephanierp | 1 day ago

Hello @shiva8752
Welcome to the hood. I am a five year kidney transplant recipient. I am sorry you are having difficulty, right now. I remember 4 months out, feeling weak and a bit frightened. I wanted to get stronger, and my PT reminded me: first you have to heal, then you can strengthen.

Each of us has a different journey to transplant, but the common thread is, we were all in organ failure. Which means our bodies were stressed trying to keep us alive, and now they are working to heal from a traumatic surgery, while adjusting to some new medications. Add onto that, your body has had to fight an infection recently, and that means your healing is going to probably take a step backward before moving forward.

I did not have much of an appetite after surgery either, but protein is a necessity to healing, so I drank bone broth, had protein shakes. Not sure if that is an option for you, but just sharing. When healing, I had to lay around, a lot. But I would get up every hour and walk (with a walker when needed) for at least a few minutes. I did PT, too, and made sure I did the exercises twice a day. As soon as I was able, I walked outside. First, just down the driveway and back. Then added more. Then, I added gentle knee bends. I was shocked by how much muscle mass I had lost. I also had some nerve damage down my left leg, and would have to lift it in and out of my car for over a year. The great news is that nerves heal, and muscles can be rebuilt.

Once I felt strong enough, after 6 months, I returned to yoga, which helped with strength and flexibility. Balance was impossible, at first, because my transplant was an open transplant, which basically filleted my stomach muscles. It took a couple of years to rebuild them. After a year, I returned to the gym and nautilus equipment, which was helpful in rebuilding muscle mass.

I found healing and rebuilding strength and balance took a little longer than I wanted it to, because healing took a little longer than I had hoped for.

Sending you healing thoughts and compassion, Stephanie

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