I've been needing to update the blog for a while, and really have no good reason why I haven't. So, let's get to it...
Dialysis Weights
08 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 105.0 Kg
Ending Weight: 101.3 Kg
Water Removed: 3.70 Kg
10 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 104.8 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.3 Kg
Water Removed: 4.50 Kg
12 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 104.1 Kg
Ending Weight: 99.8 Kg
Water Removed: 4.30 Kg
15 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 104.9 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.7 Kg
Water Removed: 4.20 Kg
17 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 103.2 Kg
Ending Weight: 99.9 Kg
Water Removed: 3.30 Kg
19 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 104.3 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.0 Kg
Water Removed: 4.30 Kg
22 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 106.4 Kg
Ending Weight: 101.9 Kg
Water Removed: 4.50 Kg
24 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 104.9 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.4 Kg
Water Removed: 4.50 Kg
Aside from the one Tuesday--my post-'weekend' day--my weights are fairly consistent. This means that I am doing things right in controlling my fluid intake. Limiting fluids never really gets easy; but at least you can become somewhat used to doing so. I am almost always thirsty; but at the same time, I know that if I give in and indulge in that extra liquid, my feet will swell, fluid will get into my lungs, I'll have trouble breathing and sleeping, possibly go to the ER, my BP will elevate to dangerous levels, my Heart rate will increase and then I'll spend at least three or four treatments getting my weight back under control. Is drinking extra milk, water or whatever else really worth all that?
(Umm....
......No.)
The lower canulation site on my fistula has been incredibly sore lately. I'm pretty sure a nerve is directly over or near both button holes. Add in the fact that both sites are in a constant state of healing, and you will experience pain from time to time. For me, that lower button hole bothers me most. Additionally, I still have bruising on my lower arm from the whole debacle after Christmas; so the arm really hasn't had the chance to fully recover. Until I get a kidney, the arm may bother me without relief.
This week has again had its challenges. I've been nauseated frequently, vomited, had diarrhea, had my breathing restricted, and my appetite has been off resulting in most foods being completely unappetizing. In the midst of all this, I have to eat, have to drink and have to get to my dialysis sessions. What fun!
My sleep is all over the place. In all, I get around eleven hours a day. Dialysis days are, or course, the most sleeping hours, at about 16 hours total in the thirty hours around each treatment. I never know when I'll suddenly become tired and doze off for thirty minutes or more. I haven't gotten a full night of sleep in weeks, instead sleeping whenever and wherever it comes upon me; whether that's on the bed, sitting in my computer chair, sitting in the living room, at dialysis, etc. I used to be frustrated by that; Now, I just roll with it and sleep as it hits me. There really isn't much use fighting it.
I've had a few friends tell me this last week that I am looking better, healthier. It's nice to hear that after these last four years. Though I still easily tire, have no energy and rarely feel good, I am moving around quicker, have less vertigo, feel a bit more energetic and my skin tone is visibly improved. Not bad for someone with no kidneys!
My mental well-being continues to be great. With my kidneys out, the worst of all this is behind me. Being on the active list really helps my state of mind, too. Also, I continue to have the love and support of many people, without which I would be struggling mightily. Personally, I have found that the more support you have, the less likely it is that you will struggle with depression or anxiety regarding your journey. Plus, there are the multitude of prayers being given for me every day. Without the spiritual support, I would not have the strength to go through this every single day. Without a doubt, the prayers given, and my personal faith, are the greatest tools I have to fight the inevitable doubt and uncertainty that awaits anyone who struggles mentally with a chronic long-term illness. The comfort and certainty I feel every day cannot be explained away as coincidence, or my mind playing tricks on me. No, I am being supported spiritually in ways I cannot fathom, and my journey is made far easier because of it.
That's all I've got for today.
Have a great week!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Friday, April 25, 2014
Friday, April 11, 2014
11 April 2014
As promised, here are the results of this months' main lab draws:
*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 (08 Apr): 10.8 g/dL (No Change from 17 Mar)
(A Measure of Anemia)
*Ca Corrected (08 Apr): 9.30 mg/dL (-0.30 mg/dL from 03 Mar)
(A measure of Heart and Bone health) NR 8.40 to 10.20 mg/dL
*Phosphorous (08 Apr): 7.40 mg/dL (+0.60 mg/dL from 08 Mar)
(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+ (08 Apr): 5.8 mEq/L (+0.10 mEq/L from 17 Mar)
(Proper potassium levels keep your nerves and muscles working well) NR 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L
*spKdt/V Dialysis (08 Apr): 1.58 (+0.24 from 03 Mar)
(A measure of the effectiveness of dialysis and blood filtering.) NR 1.20 or Higher
As you can see, both Albumin and PTH were not measured. I'm sure these will be drawn within the next week or two.
So, the Phosphorous and the Potassium are jumping around...again. I'm really surprised by the K+ increase because I am avoiding K+ as much as I possibly can. But, like phosphorous, potassium is in many foods that you simply wouldn't expect it to be; so you end up ingesting more than you expect.
I did awesome at dialysis yesterday. I went in only gaining 3.8 Kg's since Tuesday morning, and hit my target for water removal at 100.3 Kg.
My challenge since Thursday's Tx has been cramping. Both feet and both lower legs had lots of cramping after I arrived home, and sleeping was impossible for a couple of hours; until the muscles relaxed enough.
That's all I've got today. I only meant to give you the lab results.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
*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 (08 Apr): 10.8 g/dL (No Change from 17 Mar)
(A Measure of Anemia)
*Ca Corrected (08 Apr): 9.30 mg/dL (-0.30 mg/dL from 03 Mar)
(A measure of Heart and Bone health) NR 8.40 to 10.20 mg/dL
*Phosphorous (08 Apr): 7.40 mg/dL (+0.60 mg/dL from 08 Mar)
(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+ (08 Apr): 5.8 mEq/L (+0.10 mEq/L from 17 Mar)
(Proper potassium levels keep your nerves and muscles working well) NR 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L
*spKdt/V Dialysis (08 Apr): 1.58 (+0.24 from 03 Mar)
(A measure of the effectiveness of dialysis and blood filtering.) NR 1.20 or Higher
As you can see, both Albumin and PTH were not measured. I'm sure these will be drawn within the next week or two.
So, the Phosphorous and the Potassium are jumping around...again. I'm really surprised by the K+ increase because I am avoiding K+ as much as I possibly can. But, like phosphorous, potassium is in many foods that you simply wouldn't expect it to be; so you end up ingesting more than you expect.
I did awesome at dialysis yesterday. I went in only gaining 3.8 Kg's since Tuesday morning, and hit my target for water removal at 100.3 Kg.
My challenge since Thursday's Tx has been cramping. Both feet and both lower legs had lots of cramping after I arrived home, and sleeping was impossible for a couple of hours; until the muscles relaxed enough.
That's all I've got today. I only meant to give you the lab results.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Sunday, April 6, 2014
06 April 2014
I've reached a new milestone...well, at least it is for me.
This week, I successfully hit 100 Kg's all three treatment days, and I have changed my dry weight to a flat 100 Kg's. From when I first started, I have now dropped my dry weight from 104.5 Kg's. That's a total of 9.90 pounds of useless water weight.
Dialysis Weights:
22 Mar 13
Starting Weight: 105.0 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.5 Kg
Water Removed: 4.50 Kg
25 Mar 14
Starting Weight: 106.4 Kg
Ending Weight: 101.6 Kg
Water Removed: 4.80 Kg
27 Mar 14
Starting Weight: 105.5 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.9 Kg
Water Removed: 4.60 Kg
29 Mar 14
Starting Weight: 104.5 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.2 Kg
Water Removed: 4.30 Kg
01 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 104.8 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.6 Kg
Water Removed: 4.20 Kg
03 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 104.5 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.3 Kg
Water Removed: 4.20 Kg
05 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 103.3 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.1 Kg
Water Removed: 3.20 Kg
[Actually,] That's a total of five consecutive treatments that I have hit the 100 Kg mark. It's been a long, slow and somewhat painful journey, but it is well worth the effort. I have [generally] less cramping, NO...that NO fluid in my lungs, and my average Blood Pressure has accordingly dropped as well. Yesterday I entered dialysis at 146/92, and left at veritably perfect 120/68. That BP is exactly what my Nephrologist wants me to have!
I don't have the monthly labs yet; they haven't been drawn so far this month. More than likely, they will be pulled on Tuesday, with the results available later next week. When I have the numbers, I'll get them posted.
Still no diarrhea. It's now going on three months since the last incidence. Overall, my bowels are fairly regular in timing and form. Anything irregular is not a good thing, and should always be reported to your physicians.
My appetite and tastes have been changing the last few weeks. I don't know if it is because of the lack of kidneys, or some other reason. All I know is that foods are bland, and tasteless, my hunger is increasing, and I don't get any satisfaction from a good meal. It's frustrating to not have anything to eat that sounds good. My wife really is a Saint when it comes to helping me figure out what to eat after dialysis. Most days, I have no clue, and she gently guides me along until I make a decision. Spouses, if you find yourself in this position, your husband or wife really doesn't know what they want to eat! Please give an abundance of patience and understanding to whomever you are caring for, and know that they are just as frustrated, and at as much as a loss as you are at not knowing what they want to eat.
My energy has increased probably 10%. I am moving quicker--not that most people would notice with as slow as I move most of the time--I am making decisions quicker than anytime in the last two years, and my brain seems to be a bit sharper these days. While the steps aren't huge, I am making positive forward progress. A little every day will go a long way towards recovery in the long run.
That's all I can think of for now. I'll post my labs when they become available to me.
Have a tremendous week!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
This week, I successfully hit 100 Kg's all three treatment days, and I have changed my dry weight to a flat 100 Kg's. From when I first started, I have now dropped my dry weight from 104.5 Kg's. That's a total of 9.90 pounds of useless water weight.
Dialysis Weights:
22 Mar 13
Starting Weight: 105.0 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.5 Kg
Water Removed: 4.50 Kg
25 Mar 14
Starting Weight: 106.4 Kg
Ending Weight: 101.6 Kg
Water Removed: 4.80 Kg
27 Mar 14
Starting Weight: 105.5 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.9 Kg
Water Removed: 4.60 Kg
29 Mar 14
Starting Weight: 104.5 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.2 Kg
Water Removed: 4.30 Kg
01 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 104.8 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.6 Kg
Water Removed: 4.20 Kg
03 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 104.5 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.3 Kg
Water Removed: 4.20 Kg
05 Apr 14
Starting Weight: 103.3 Kg
Ending Weight: 100.1 Kg
Water Removed: 3.20 Kg
[Actually,] That's a total of five consecutive treatments that I have hit the 100 Kg mark. It's been a long, slow and somewhat painful journey, but it is well worth the effort. I have [generally] less cramping, NO...that NO fluid in my lungs, and my average Blood Pressure has accordingly dropped as well. Yesterday I entered dialysis at 146/92, and left at veritably perfect 120/68. That BP is exactly what my Nephrologist wants me to have!
I don't have the monthly labs yet; they haven't been drawn so far this month. More than likely, they will be pulled on Tuesday, with the results available later next week. When I have the numbers, I'll get them posted.
Still no diarrhea. It's now going on three months since the last incidence. Overall, my bowels are fairly regular in timing and form. Anything irregular is not a good thing, and should always be reported to your physicians.
My appetite and tastes have been changing the last few weeks. I don't know if it is because of the lack of kidneys, or some other reason. All I know is that foods are bland, and tasteless, my hunger is increasing, and I don't get any satisfaction from a good meal. It's frustrating to not have anything to eat that sounds good. My wife really is a Saint when it comes to helping me figure out what to eat after dialysis. Most days, I have no clue, and she gently guides me along until I make a decision. Spouses, if you find yourself in this position, your husband or wife really doesn't know what they want to eat! Please give an abundance of patience and understanding to whomever you are caring for, and know that they are just as frustrated, and at as much as a loss as you are at not knowing what they want to eat.
My energy has increased probably 10%. I am moving quicker--not that most people would notice with as slow as I move most of the time--I am making decisions quicker than anytime in the last two years, and my brain seems to be a bit sharper these days. While the steps aren't huge, I am making positive forward progress. A little every day will go a long way towards recovery in the long run.
That's all I can think of for now. I'll post my labs when they become available to me.
Have a tremendous week!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
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