After a week, since I came home, I came to know that Cyclosporin prevents rejection of all the tissues and organs in the body along with my new kidney; I started to be very cautious in looking after my body.

What all the doctors and staffs should do, to save me has been done by them. Lord God is still protecting me with His Grace. Now everything is in my hands to protect and save my body. So, why should not I be pre-cautious? That too only for some months, probably a year and it would not be difficult for me to be cautious for the rest of my life.

But now, today is 50th day after surgery and I can go and come anywhere I like to go and have gone several times to the hospital, alone. For your information, I had WBC count (defense mechanism of the body) as 21800, once, actually more than double (8000) the amount, than normal people. I am not happy with this but do not know what to do to reduce it. Also, if this count reduces, then my natural immunity decreases, and again I have to be very cautious, regarding infection.

When I was in the ward, I could not get up from bed, as, when I was normal, but could sleep well. Even when I had to go to HaemoDialysis, I get up at 6 AM. I got up with much worry at that time. Before and after transplantation, till I was in the ward, the nurses came and took blood test everyday at 5.10 AM. On some days, I knew, but on some days, I slept. Then at 6.30 AM I had to take Cyclosporin. Then, they checked all vital signs (BP, Temperature, Pulse rate and Respiratory rate). So, actually I could not sleep after that even if I want to.

But everything entirely changed after a few weeks, when I was in home. Everything was regular for almost ten days. They (in the house) asked me to sleep in the afternoon and I too would, happily. For 6 months, compulsorily, I have to go to follow-up visits. Seeing the doctor is token-wise. So, if we get last token, we have to wait till 10.30 to 11 AM. I have to take medicines exactly to 9 AM. There should not be any delay. So, I should get up early.

The drug Cyclosporin should be taken on empty stomach and no food or fluids must be taken one hour before taking Cyclosporin. Normally, when getting get up in the morning, some people have appetite. For me, along with the side effect (increase in appetite), I had more appetite than normal. Hence, daily, till now, (29.02.2004) and even in the future. I am taking a glass of milk at 5.15 AM because from 5.30 AM to 6.30 AM nothing should be taken.

The reason I am telling all these, is, I could not sleep after 5.15 AM and everyday, after, 6.30 AM, even the days when I need not have to go to hospital. I do not know why or I think, if I try, I can sleep. Sometimes, whenever I get up in night, I will do some other work instead of sleeping and the most early time is 3.30 AM and it is today, 29th February 2004. Also, the maximum number of time for writing my book is during these times. My parents did not care about this. So, I too did not care. Also, the time I am going to bed is usually and everyday, after 12 AM. Sometimes, 1 AM to 2 AM, but will get up at 5 AM. I do not know why my body changed and apart from this. I myself can notice a very many number of changes within me, both physiologically and psychologically.

The doctors advised me to regularly do these things when I am in home during Post Transplant.

1. Should be infection free and avoid infectious places.

2. Should have a separate room along with toilet and have it very clean.

3. Control weight

4. Walking, as it is very good for increasing stamina and helps to reduce cholesterol in the blood and minimizes the risk of heart disease.

5. Minimize the quantity of sugar and fat in food, as excess sugar leads to diabetes and cholesterol leads to Ischaemic heart disease (block in arteries). Also, while taking these drugs, normally, cholesterol and sugar level increases in the blood and now I am having high borderline sugar and cholesterol.

6. Diet
a. Can eat anything, but everything made in home.
b. Avoid leftover.
c. Food should be taken hot, if possible.

7. Medicines
a. Should take medicines regularly
b. Should be taken at the same time everyday
c. Should not run out of medicines
d. Should not skip dosage even once
e. Should take only prescribed dosage.
 

Apart from this, I still get a number of side effects in the future or even may be going on in my body now, like fluid retention, osteoporosis etc, But Thank God! I am all right till now. Also some side effects are good and I like them, but some have very adverse reactions.