It is already my 2025 Transplantiversary! The time seems to have passed by so quickly, and now my transplanted kidney is 14.

I was trying to remember what I was up to when I was 14. I think that was the year I joined the school band – sacrificed my German lessons for it. Probably the year I got braces on my teeth too. And an acne explosion.

The Kidney

My kidney function is still stable, so there’s that.

Diabetes is more or less under control thanks to a low carbohydrate diet. It’s funny how science changes over time.

When I had my transplant I was encouraged to eat less protein and more carbs – a slice of bread with every meal in fact. Now it’s eat less carbs and more protein. I do find it hard to eat more meat thanks to 14 years of conditioning. I mostly don’t miss bread, pasta or rice, but I do miss potatoes. Thankfully there are lower carb potatoes.

Sadly cholestoral is less under control, and they want me to try a new drug.

While I take about 30 pills a day, I’m still not keen to take on a new one. I’d much rather get my diet sorted out, but I suppose it’s too late for that. I haven’t found dieticians in general to be much help, and I don’t have blood tests often enough to track my food choices.

This is possibly the unlucky intersection between transplant drugs, menopause, and getting older in general. A pill is often seen as the solution, and sometimes it might be easier to take a pill. But I am still resistant.

The Body

We’ve been walking most days – about half an hour on weekdays, and longer walks of about an hour and a half on weekends. Can’t say I’ve lost much weight, but I have slimmmed down a little.

The mastectomy was last year, and a couple of months ago I had some corrective surgery to tidy up the dog ears, scarring and weird fat deposits. It went well, but I’m finding the swelling is worse this year, and I’m not managing the lymphatic drainage as well.

Summer is coming, so I need to get on top of the swelling before the heat makes it impossible. Not just the chest, but the legs too as that affects my ability to get out and about.

I’m due another surgery for something else in a couple of weeks, but I’m not ready to talk about that yet.

The Work

2025 is on track to be my worst work year ever. Worse even than the cottage construction and house renovation.

So far I’ve published six short stories, and at this rate, will only end up with 70,000 words to show for the year. Admittedly this would be a book if I had actually finished writing something instead of chasing bright shiny new story ideas.

On the bright side the websites are “sorted,” and I have a new spam blocker/firewall that seems to be working well so far.

The 2025 Transplantiversary Verdict

I feel my 2025 Transplantiversary is possibly the worst so far.

But at the same time,

any day above ground is a good day

James Reyne

I’m not sure I was always doing my best, but there was a lot going on, and I imagine sterner people than me might have faltered when push came to shove.

But, I can choose to make better choices.

Starting now, taking my time to ramp up to a good cruising speed so I’m ready for a better 2026.

But, as always I ask myself did I make the spirit of my organ donor proud?

Perhaps my donor is more forgiving than me.

Ironically, last year I thought maybe I was setting myself up for failure this year, so let’s hope I’m setting myself up for success next year.

If you’d like to read more about my Transplantiversaries, click here.

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You can find more planning, related information, and my monthly on the Life Worth Living page.