10 January 2013

Let's get to it...

Dialysis Weights:

01 Jan 13
Starting Weight:  107.2 Kg
Water Removed:  3.20 Kg
Ending Weight:  104.0 Kg

03 Jan 13
Starting Weight:  106.0 Kg
Water Removed:  2.20 Kg
Ending Weight:  103.8 Kg

05 Jan 13
Starting Weight:  107.0 Kg
Water Removed:  2.50 Kg
Ending Weight:  104.5 Kg

08 Jan 13
Starting Weight:  107.0 Kg
Water Removed:  2.70 Kg
Ending Weight:  104.3 Kg

10 Jan 13
Starting Weight:  106.5 Kg
Water Removed:  2.80 Kg
Ending Weight:  103.7 Kg

Again, my weights are holding steady. I am really trying to watch my fluid intake. Sometimes this leaves me really, really thirsty. Other times, I do poorly and drink far more than I should, and pay for it with extra water retention (and therefore, weight gain). I am drinking that Glaceau Smart Water (electrolyte enhanced water), and it really does help cut down on how much liquid I ingest. I just wish it were a lot less expensive. Oh well, it helps do what I need, so it is definitely worth the cost.

I had my monthly labs drawn this past Tuesday. Here are the latest numbers:

*Albumin (08 Jan):  4.50 g/dL     (No Change from 04 Dec)

*Hemoglobin (08 Jan):  11.30 g/dL     (-0.40 g/dL from 04 Dec)

*Ca Corrected (08 Jan):  9.40 mg/dL     (+0.10 mg/dL from 04 Dec)

*Phosphorous (08 Jan):  3.80 mg/dL     ( -0.90 mg/dL from 04 Dec)

*PTH Intact (08 Jan):  118 pg/mL     (+23 pg/mL from 19 Nov)

*K+ (08 Jan):  4.40 mEq/L     (+0.20 mEq/mL from 19 Nov)

*URR (08 Jan):  72%     (+3% from 04 Dec)

*spKdt/V Dialysis (08 Jan):  1.47     (+0.12 from 04 Dec)
**This is a new value that has something to do with the effectiveness of urea removal during dialysis. This number may or may not be associated with the URR--I just don't know yet. The sources I have read on this (so far) are extremely clinical in description and even I am having a difficult time interpreting the info. I will have to ask someone at the clinic about it so I can understand it.

So, aside from a slight drop in Hemoglobin, and a still depressed PTH level, my numbers actually look really good! My efforts to eat better and avoid the bad things are definitely paying off.

Alright...getting away from numbers...

I have my appointments for the Dental Clearance and Colonoscopy set. They are Monday (14 Jan) and Friday (18 Jan) respectively.
For the Dental Clearance I am going through the Utah College of Dental Hygiene. The exam will be done by actual dentists; but because this is a teaching environment, the exam (including x-rays) will be FREE of charge! Yeah, you read that right! FREE. I only found out about this place because a family friend went there and directed me to their office. Any work I may have to do will cost money, but also at a reduced rate than at a general practice.
The Dental Exam can be pricey, so be sure you call around and find the best deal you can. If a Dental College of some sort is in your area, be sure you look them up as well!

The Colonoscopy (yes, I am no 50 years old...half a century!) will be done at the IHC facility in Murray, UT--the same campus that my Transplant Team is based at. For that I won't be able to eat any solid foods for a full twenty four hours prior to the exam. Luckily, the exam is at 0945a, so I won't have to wait all day. Plus, on Thursday morning, I will be eating a big breakfast prior to my dialysis Tx. So, I will [hopefully] not be too hungry for the day.
And of course, I will tell you about the results of both exams.

The headache continues without a break. The pattern remains fairly consistent, as well; though, the last few weeks, my off days have seen a jump in the average intensity of the headache pain. No reason, it just is.

The flank pain continues 24/7. My sleep is now being affected by it. I am less and less comfortable in bed, so my sleep suffers. Since I am still producing a fair amount of urine, I am in no hurry to schedule the double nephrectomy.

My appetite is still about the same as the last month. Overall, I am still not eating a whole lot. Plus, even my standard foods are becoming less and less appealing. I am trying to mix things up so I don't create appetite fatigue; but with how my tastes are being affected, it may not make much difference.

My overall energy level is way down. I am taking longer than ever to recover from dialysis. My energy, such as it is, doesn't return until later in the evenings. My whole body aches and is weak for hours longer than I have been [to this point]. My off days find me doing fewer and fewer chores around the house simply because I don't have the energy mentally or physically. Cooking is a real challenge to even think about, let alone standing up for.
I take days to get to all of my chores--but I am still getting them all done...just getting about it very slowly. So between my head, flanks, poor sleep and my decreased energy, I am getting as much done as I can...but that isn't a lot by any stretch. I don't like feeling like this; but I literally can't do much of anything about it. This is just another sign of disease progression and the toll that dialysis takes on the body.

I still maintain that the challenge is to keep my mind in a good place. With the support I have, the friends around me, and my inherent drive to keep going, I am doing pretty well, all things considered. As far as I know, no one is concerned about my mental well-being. So, we'll all just keep plugging along, smiling, laughing, looking towards a creative, rewarding and fulfilling future.

That's about all I've got for today. Remember to ask me any questions you might have.

Good Health to All!

ScottW