18 July 2014

Some news, as well as a long overdue update...

News #1--I have heard from the person who would like to donate a kidney to me, and she has already contacted my Transplant Coordinator, and has received and filled out the preliminary questionnaire. The person also must have a weeks worth of daily BP readings, which she is doing, too.

News #2--The effectiveness of my dialysis Tx's took a dive and have remained poor over the last week+. As a result, I am going to see a vascular surgeon next week for a Fistulagram--a test that will show how well the upper fistula (above the button holes) is able to perfuse. Assuming the test shows reduced flow capability, I will likely have to have a balloon expansion of the vessels in my upper arm. As soon as I know what's happening, I will pass the info along.

Dialysis Weights:

26 Jun 14
Starting Weight:  102.5 Kg
Ending Weight:  99.2 Kg
Water Removed:  3.30 Kg

28 Jun 14
Starting Weight:  102.0 Kg
Ending Weight:  99.2 Kg
Water Removed:  2.80 Kg

01 Jul 14
Starting Weight:  102.6 Kg
Ending Weight:  99.3 Kg
Water Removed:  3.30 Kg
03 Jul 14
Starting Weight:  101.7 Kg
Ending Weight:  99.9 Kg
Water Removed:  1.80 Kg

05 Jul 14
Starting Weight: 102.2 Kg 
Ending Weight:  99.6 Kg
Water Removed:  2.60 Kg
08 Jul 14
Starting Weight:  101.5 Kg
Ending Weight:  99.4 Kg
Water Removed:  2.10 Kg

10 Jul 14
Starting Weight:  100.8 Kg
Ending Weight:  99.3 Kg
Water Removed:  1.50 Kg

12 Jul 14
Starting Weight:  101.9 Kg
Ending Weight:  99.2 Kg
Water Removed:  2.70 Kg

15 Jul 14
Starting Weight:  102.4 Kg
Ending Weight:  99.4 Kg
Water Removed:  3.00 Kg

17 Jul 14
Starting Weight:  100.8 Kg
Ending Weight:  99.6 Kg
Water Removed:  1.20 Kg

Most of these entry numbers are showing low weight gains...which is good. However, the reason for the low weight gains is NOT--the aforementioned poor dialyzing effectiveness. Let me show you my latest lab numbers...

*Albumin (17 Jun): 4.10 g/dL     (+0.10 g/dL from 20 May)
  (A measure of Protein in the blood)     NR (Normal Range) 4.0 g/dL or Higher

*Hemoglobin (08 Jul): 10.30 g/dL   (+0.30 g/dL from 03 Jun)
  (A Measure of Anemia)

*Ca Corrected (08 Jul): 9.40 mg/dL (-0.30 mg/dL from 03 Jun)
  (A measure of Heart and Bone health)     NR 8.40 to 10.20 mg/dL

*Phosphorous (12 Jul):  7.80 mg/dL (+2.10mg/dL from 03 Jun)
  (High Phosphorous affects the health of your Heart and Bones)     NR 3.0 to 5.5 mg/dL

*PTH Intact (17 Jun:  229 pg/mL  (-26 pg/mL from 20 May)
  (A measure of Vitamin D absorption and bone and tissue health)     NR 150 to 600 pg/mL

*K+ (15 Jul):  6.30 mEq/L     (+0.20 mEq/L from 03 Jun)
  (Proper potassium levels keep your nerves and muscles working well)     NR 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L

*spKdt/V Dialysis (08 Jul): 0.88  (-0.36 from 03 Jun)
  (A measure of the effectiveness of dialysis and blood filtering.)     NR 1.20 or Higher

On the spKdt/V, that drop in effectiveness (which is .32 below the minimum level) has caused an ongoing issue with intense, unremitting nausea. I am on Zofran, the hardcore anti-emetic, twenty four hours a day...and it is only about 50% effective at reducing this nausea. As a result my appetite is poor, my fluid intake is way down, and my weight gains minimal. I guess that's what happens when the gunk isn't getting properly filtered fro my body. Woo-Hoo...  :o(

Because of this nausea, I am rarely getting a good bit of uninterrupted sleep. Most nights I awaken after a couple of hours and spend the next hour or so next to the toilet. Sometimes I throw up, other times not. In every case, I am miserable. That never changes with what's going on.  Assuming I get that vessel expansion, we should see immediate improvement in my labs, and in how I feel from day to day.

I am growing a little stronger. Recently, my wife was given a trip to Florida to get away from my health for a week. I encouraged her to go because I can drive a little now, and can generally care for myself. She took that trip, and I drove myself to dialysis for the first time. I had no issues.
I am now able to drive because the vertigo I've had for the past few years has decreased significantly. Turning my head no longer triggers the dizziness, and my road awareness has increased, as well. I still can't drive any long distances, but around twenty miles, or 30 minutes my maximum. It's a definite improvement!

As of 10 July, I have been on dialysis exactly two years.  (It doesn't seem like that much time has passed!) My time on the active waiting list is now going on twenty one months. We'll see which gets here first...THE call, or a donation.

That's all I've got for today. I will keep you updated with the news as soon as I get it myself. So be looking for brief updates!

Good Health to All!

ScottW