21 March 2014

As promised...


Dialysis Weights:

06 Mar 14
Starting Weight:  104.6 Kg
Ending Weight:  101.1 Kg
Water Removed:  3.50 Kg

08 Mar 14
Starting Weight:  104.9 Kg
Ending Weight:  100.8 Kg
Water Removed:  4.10 Kg

11 Mar 14
Starting Weight:  105.6 Kg
Ending Weight:  101.9 Kg
Water Removed:  3.70 Kg

13 Mar 14
Starting Weight:  105.8 Kg
Ending Weight:  102.0 Kg
Water Removed:  3.80 Kg

15 Mar 14
Starting Weight:  105.5 Kg
Ending Weight:  101.8 Kg
Water Removed:  3.70 Kg

17 Mar 14
Starting Weight:  105.2 Kg
Ending Weight:  100.2 Kg
Water Removed:  5.00 Kg

20 Mar 14
Starting Weight:  106.0 Kg
Ending Weight:  101.2 Kg
Water Removed:  4.80 Kg

Aside from my last two weigh-in's, my weights are remaining consistent. 105 Kg seems to be the point at which I have fluid infiltrating my lungs. I was really surprised at yesterday's weigh-in. I was expecting about a four kilogram increase. When the 5.8 Kg showed, I was gob smacked.
I still don't understand how I gained that much weight. My accounting of my fluid intake was 3.4 Liters--about 3.50 Kg. Add in weight for food consumed, and it should have been between 4-4.5 Kg. Ah well... I'll keep trying!

Labs are in and most are good.

*Albumin (17 Mar): 4.40 g/dL (+0.30 g/dL from 21 Jan)
  (A measure of Protein in the blood)     NR (Normal Range) 4.0 g/dL or Higher

*Hemoglobin (17 Mar):  10.9 g/dL  (-0.30 g/dL from 04 Feb)
  (A Measure of Anemia)

*Ca Corrected (03 Mar): 9.60 mg/dL (+0.70 mg/dL from 04 Feb)
  (A measure of Heart and Bone health)     NR 8.40 to 10.20 mg/dL

*Phosphorous (08 Mar):  6.80 mg/dL (+1.70 mg/dL from 08 Feb)
  (High Phosphorous affects the health of your Heart and Bones)     NR 3.0 to 5.5 mg/dL

*PTH Intact (17 Mar):  245 pg/mL  (+26 pg/mL from 21 Jan)
  (A measure of Vitamin D absorption and bone and tissue health)     NR 150 to 600 pg/mL

*K+ (17 Mar):  5.7 mEq/L     (+0.60 mEq/L from 21 Jan)
  (Proper potassium levels keep your nerves and muscles working well)     NR 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L

*spKdt/V Dialysis (03 Mar): 1.34   (-0.19 from 04 Feb)
  (A measure of the effectiveness of dialysis and blood filtering.)     NR 1.20 or Higher
(I've been having numerous blood draws this month, so the dates shown will be all over the place, instead of consistent with each test.)
As far as the Phosphorous and Potassium, I have no idea why these are out of whack. I've been really good about not eating phosphorous rich foods, have been taking my binders as instructed, and rarely eat potassium heavy foods. I spoke with the clinic nutritionist yesterday, and she stated that I'm doing things right with my diet; these numbers will just bounce around for no good reason. She said to just keep doing what I have been.

Two weeks ago, after yet another bout of intense nausea and vomiting, I requested a better anti-emetic, and was prescribed oral Zofran. (This is the same injectable anti-emetic I get during dialysis, if needed.) My usual anti-emetic, Promethazine, has been ineffective in curbing the intense nausea when it strikes; so I had to get something even better. Zofran is regularly prescribed to Chemotherapy patients to control their nausea and vomiting. My own experience with the med [at dialysis] told me it was fantastic. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to try it out, and it did not disappoint me at all! Once it started working, the emerging nausea was gone, and it never developed into anything worse. Granted, it took about thirty minutes to kick in; but once it did, the symptoms completely disappeared!  

Thank goodness!!!
A fellow dialysis patient had a donor transplant this past Tuesday, and I went to see him in the same hospital I'll be getting my transplant at. Just one day after surgery he was already looking great! His skin color was better, his face was happier and his countenance was brighter. He (Shawn) stated that he felt great, and that his new kidney kicked in almost immediately.
Shawn stated that, as I've been told, he gained 20 pounds due to the massive infusion of steroids needed to suppress the body's immune system so the kidney won't reject. By the time he goes home, Shawn will be taking far less steroids, and his weight gain will all be gone through urination.
It was good for me to see and talk to Shawn. Getting as much info in advance has helped me tremendously thus far; so getting first hand knowledge about a transplant is essential to my preparing for my own transplant!
If you are awaiting any transplant, I strongly urge you to talk with someone who has been through the process. Their insights and experience will give you peace of mind as you enter what can be an incredibly scary time.

Still no incidences of diarrhea. It's been nearly two months now since the last incident. Again, not that I'm complaining; but I'd rather tolerate diarrhea than have fluid buildup in my lungs. Not sleeping and having trouble breathing simply isn't any fun whatsoever. Luckily, the DiB thing is almost completely within my ability to control.

As I alluded to in yesterday's brief note, my wife and I moved condo's. We're in the same building, just up one floor to a vastly quieter place, and it has a superior view, as well. The move wasn't overly difficult, and we had a week to get it all done. Nevertheless, it exhausted me, and I've been pretty much worthless since Sunday--when we finished cleaning the other place. In another day or two I should be better.

That's all I can remember for now.

I eagerly await the call out of the blue that signals my transplant surgery.

Good Health to All!

ScottW