KEVIN'S 6-MONTH CHECK UP

DAVID'S 6-MONTH CHECK UP

David had his 6-month check on June 11, 2008, also at Kaiser (San Diego) and is progressing per wife, Susan.  He has been released to go back to his Kaiser Doctor, Dr. Chin, and his next check is scheduled in 2 months.  David also started a new job after the first of the year.

Kevin returned to the care of his Kaiser Nephrologist, Dr. Alex Kay today.

Dr. Kay was glad to see him and appreciated the care that he received during and after November 7 kidney transplant. 

Dr. Kay updated his medicine list in the computer at Kaiser, added a couple more meds and told Kevin he could reduce the daily med schedule down to two times a day.  Kevin has Kaiser follow up appointments every two weeks until Dr. Kay feels comfortable with the progress of Kevin's levels.

All great news and Kevin is feeling better everyday!!

Kevin attended his 10-week UCSD clinic appointment (January 17) being attended to by UCSD Transplant Team doctor, Dr. David Ward, who will also be following Kevin's progress after he leaves UCSD's care.  Anticipate possibly only one more UCSD clinic appointment before being released back to the care of Kevin's Kaiser doctor, Dr. Alex Kay.

UCSD will continue to monitor Kevin's levels and standings every six months.

Dr. Ward removed 3 meds that reduce infection but added one for maintaining possible high blood pressure.  The removal of the 3 meds reduced Kevin's schedule of taking meds down to five times a day instead of six. 

Kevin continues to keep a positive outlook and knows the importance of continual monitoring of his over all health, food intake and med schedule.

David went back to work just before Christmas. He is doing fine. He has been putting his energy into making the Life in The Fast Lane Gala a success. We are so happy to celebrate the successful transplant on Saturday, January 19^th. There are still tickets available if you would like to be part of it. Thanks for the continued support.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

And boy what a great start to the 2008 new year.  Kevin is doing very well, lost almost 30 lbs. and is adjusting well to the 6 times a day pill requirements at about 29 pills a day.  Feeling much better and basically back to work full-time when not having to attend a clinic or doctor's appointment.  Anticipated release by UCSD doctors possibly by end of January or beginning of February and will then return to his Kaiser doctor and be closely monitored by Kaiser monthly.  Kevin's UCSD doctor even okayed Kevin to start hitting the golf ball again.

Racing season is almost upon us, so Kevin is also gearing up for another year of fun racing with Ron Esau (Irwindale SLM) and also added to his plate up-and-coming young driver, Taylor Miinch at only 13 years of age, who will be running a ASA Super Truck later this year.

Kevin has a better outlook on life now that he has a working kidney thanks to a great friend, David Beat, who is also doing well since the surgery November 7.   David will be also returning back to Irwindale Speedway (SLM) racing also soon.

We continue to appreciate and thank everyone for your great support before, during and after the transplant.

Debbie and Kevin Clark

Can you believe that it has been one month since Kevin received his new kidney on November 7 from David.  This coming week (December 10) Kevin will drop down to once-a-week UCSD clinics and only one trip a week to UCSD to give blood for testing.  The UCSD team of transplant doctors, dietician, and pharmacist are keeping Kevin in good hands as they continue to monitor his Albumin, Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, GFR and most importantly his Creatnine which determines how well the new kidney is working.

Originally on about 43 pills a day when Kevin was released from the hospital on November 12, he is now down to about 30 per day.  Kevin has also lost about 20 lbs as he monitors his sugar intake.

This will be a very special Christmas for the Clark Family and we continue to thank the Beat Family.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

It's been several days since I've updated the blog for either Kevin or David. 

Both Kevin and David are feeling better every day and the doctors continue to be amazed at how Kevin and David are doing day-by-day.

Kevin and David are still not permitted to return to full-time employment and joined friend and racer, Ron Esau, on a road trip to Lancaster (Calif.) on Friday, November 23 to drop off Ron's race car to be repaired for 2008.   Both complained the day after that their stomachs hurt a bit from the bumpy ride but had a fun time 'bench racing' on the way up and back.

Both are still taking it easy per doctor's orders and looking forward to joining the working force soon.

Kevin continues to give blood (for analysis) each Sunday and Wednesday for his Monday and Thursday clinics at UCSD.  Hoping to get down to one day a week clinics soon.  Kevin is slowly being taken off several medications and seems not to be needing any insulin as of the third week of recovery.  Getting to know several of the patients at clinic and blood lab by face as new faces appear every trip.

Thank you again for your thoughts, cards and guestbook entries for Kevin and David!

Debbie

Thank you again everyone for your continued wishes for a speedy recovery for both Kevin and David.

Kevin and I attended our first clinic (week one of ten weeks) where Kevin will be checked twice a week by one of the transplant doctors...today it was by Dr. Ajai Khanna, M.D. Ph.D.

Dr. Khanna was impressed with Kevin's progress as it is right on track and all looks good.  Kevin is on Prednisone (steriod) plus Prograf (which prevents rejection) and has had to start insulin injections due to a slight high blood sugar reading at this time.  Doctors stress that this is a temporary fix as the Prednisone and Prograf are slowly reduced his blood sugar levels should return back to normal in about 3-6 weeks.

Debbie Clark

David went to get his one-week check up today. The doctor said he is a
"textbook case". His blood shows that his kidney is functioning at 50% right
now, which is to be expected.  Within 6 months this should increase to 85%.
He was cautioned not to lift anything over 10 pounds, but can resume a
normal diet and begin walking.

We REALLY appreciate all of the moral support and well wishes. Each day as
David gets stronger we start to think about how easy it is to make a
difference in someone else's life. Please refer to the Donation section of
this website to hear about opportunities to become a donor.  We also invite
each and every visitor of this site to join the San Diego Blood Bank's "Life
in the Fast Lane" gala on January 19th, 2008.

Best, David and Susan

Kevin was glad to sleep in his own bed last night and boy was his dog, Belle, excited to finally see him. 

He spent some time today reading instructions and literature, organizing his daily 5-time-a-day meds and setting up a required daily log (weight, blood pressure and temp, etc.) for the doctors and clinic he has to attend twice a week for several weeks.  Several of the meds (antibiotics) he will discontinue in the weeks to come.

Kevin even asked Debbie to take him to CSF to stop in and say hi to assure everyone that he was okay.

Tomorrow will be the first lab (trip to UCSD) to see if all the meds and levels are where they should be.  Other than that, Kevin is feeling better every day. 

Kevin was finally released and headed out of the UCSD Hospital doors around 2:30pm today.   Never thought this day would come

After going thru all the medications with Kevin that he will be required to take during the next 30 days (11 bottles total), the nurses didn't want him to leave and asked him to stay another day!

Kevin was glad to be home and realizes he still has a routine to get use to, but looks forward to the days to come. 

Thanks to nurses Yvette, Belle and Agnes for your great care...the best on floor 11!
Plus thanks for the expert care of Dr. Christopher Barry and his assistant Dr. Bazzi.

THANK YOU EVERYONE  for your support and well wishes before, during and after the big surgery for both Kevin and David....it meant a lot to us all.

Debbie and Kevin Clark

According to Kevin's doctor today (Dr. Barry), Kevin is set to come home tomorrow (Monday, Nov. 12).   Kevin can't wait to get home, get adjusted to his new daily medication schedule, sleep in his own bed and eat some home cookin' plus see his dog, Belle. 

Kevin phoned David later today to see how he was doing.  They chatted a bit about each other's condition, and then the conversation quickly turned to racing. 

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers as Kevin looks forward to seeing you all soon.
Debbie

Kevin is counting the days and hours until his anticipated release.  Watching a lot of TV and pacing the halls.   Took a shower today and felt refreshed and still has the bothersome catheter attached.   Dr. Barry stopped by and assured him that all looks great and on track to leave on Monday.
Debbie

David did come home last night and got his "best night's sleep
ever!"  He was up walking around this morning and says he feels pretty good.
The trick will be keeping him down now.  We are so glad the doctors are
saying that the kidney is functioning perfectly in Kevin!!! Thanks again to
our family and friends. Your support has really kept David in good spirits.

Today was a big day for many firsts for both Kevin and David.  Kevin finally received his own 'private' room this evening before I left and very glad to get that.  He will miss his great nurses, Amy and Tara.   Now he might be able to get some much needed sleep after spending time in the 'intermediate care unit' after surgery.

Kevin also had his vital monitoring connections disconnected along with devoring a plate of solid foods today (no more jello and broth).

He also walked the hospital corridors today without any pain.

David also surprised Kevin when he walked in the door of Kevin's ICU room earlier today and told Kevin that he had planned a 'pizza and beer' party at 7pm in his room upstairs.

Well overall, today was a great day....the doctors were happy with all the progress, David was feeling MUCH better, Kevin got his own room and rumor has it that David might even head home tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the great guestbooks entries!
Debbie

Kevin is doing fine this morning.  He said he is not in any pain and therefore not requiring any morphine. Asked if he got any sleep last night, he replied that there was too much going on in his room with the three other patients also requiring round the clock supervision, etc.  We are awaiting Dr. Barry's visit this am to check Kevin's status so that he can hopefully be moved to his private room and also start eating something...not liquid. 

Everything so far has been very positive and we thank you all for your concerned e-mails and guestbook entries...thank you.  We are also glad that David is feeling a bit better this am.
Debbie