01 February 2013

My wishes for a better week haven't really panned out as I had hoped.

Weights:

26 Jan 13

Starting Weight:  108.0 Kg
Water Removed:  4.30 Kg
Ending Weight:  103.7 Kg

29 Jan 13

Starting Weight:  107.3 Kg
Water Removed:  3.90 Kg
Ending Weight:  103.4 Kg

31 Jan 13

Starting Weight:  107.2 Kg
Water Removed:  4.10 Kg
Ending Weight:  103.1 Kg

My weight is still way up at the start of dialysis. I have been watching my fluid intake, so the added weight is all about my kidneys being less effective.
However, as you can see on my last three Tx's, my final weight is way below my dry weight target.
My body is simply giving back too much. The numbers are inputted to hit my dry weight, but my cells are giving more. None of the Center Techs can figure out why my body is doing this; it just is. I know that I have stopped trying to guess it because every time I do, I am also wrong and I end up either heavier than I should, or go lighter.

The last three dialysis Tx's have also been rough like I described on my previous post. No fun at all. However, we did figure out how to better minimize my headache that spikes during treatment.  First, we changed the water removal to a linear patter--meaning a constant, gradual water removal (rather than the step method of take some, stop removal...take some, stop...etc).
Secondly, we tried to adjust the way sodium is removed as well. We are using something called 'Step Method 3'--whatever that means. I just know that by using this, I am not having a huge spike in headache pain during dialysis. Yes, the headache still worsens by the time I'm done, it just doesn't happen with a WHAM!!! I'll take that!

My bilateral flank pain is just ridiculous all the time. The meds are barely covering it at this point. As the winter has drawn on, I am looking more and more to getting them out. However, two things are needing to happen. First, I have a Bahamas cruise to go on in 21 days from now. Just a change of routine will do my heart and mind tremendous good.
Secondly, in anticipation of the upcoming surgeries and recovery times, I am looking to move to a quieter home, with no stairs, and which is visually restful as well. I have applied to rent a very nice apartment in a mixed use building. These apartments are built to condo standards, so they are very quiet, there are no stairs to handle, and the apartment itself is very nice, very peaceful inside. Assuming I get it, I will be moving sometime in early March.
So, also assuming I get into this apartment, I am looking to mid-March to mid-April for the double Nephrectomy. At that time, if I am still producing a decent volume of urine, and if the pain is still tolerable, that may get pushed back even further.
However, all of this expectation is completely moot if my kidneys totally crash. Only time will tell.

My sleep continues to be very poor. This is still in large part to just being uncomfortable in bed. Generally, the best sleep I get is when I fall asleep in my big comfy chair, in a reclined position. However, I don't like sleeping in that chair a lot. I did my time sleeping for nearly two years in a chair (with ottoman) when I had my back injury in the late 90's. Even my post-dialysis naps have been poor. As a result, I continue to operate exhausted day after day.

As far as eating...there is no change there. No breakfast--which is actually normal for me; a very lite lunch--except on dialysis day; and a dinner that ranges from small to moderate only. As I reported last time, I never know how food will appeal to me. This past week has been rough in that department. So much that I would normally eat has just been a complete turn-off just thinking about, let alone making an actual decision.  :o(

And...

There was something else I wanted to say...
...(aargh) I can't remember.

Let's have a great week, Everyone!

Good Health to All!

ScottW