23 August 2015

I was waiting for my latest (and updated) labs to come in before writing my next blog. They have, and are as follows:

August 18, 2015 Lab Work:

 *Albumin (18 Aug): 4.20 g/dL     (-0.20 g/dL from 21 Jul)
  (A measure of Protein in the blood)     NR (Normal Range) 4.0 g/dL or Higher

*Hemoglobin (18 Aug): 10.00 G/dL    (-0.90 G/dL from 21 Jul)
  (A Measure of Anemia)

*Ca Corrected (04 Aug): 10.1 mg/dL     (-0.10mg/dL from 07 Jul)
  (A measure of Heart and Bone health)     NR 8.40 to 10.20 mg/dL

*Phosphorous (04 Aug):  4.20 mg/dL    (+0.80 mg/dL from 07 Jul)
  (High Phosphorous affects the health of your Heart and Bones)     NR 3.0 to 5.5 mg/dL

*PTH Intact (18 Aug):  219 pg/mL     (+28.5 pg/mL from 21 Jul)
  (A measure of Vitamin D absorption and bone and tissue health)     NR 150 to 600 pg/mL

*K+ (18 Aug):  5.5 mEq/L    (+0.20 mEq/L from 28 Jul)
  (Proper potassium levels keep your nerves and muscles working well)     NR 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L

*spKdt/V Dialysis (04 Aug):  1.79     (-0.04 from 14 Jul)
  (A measure of the effectiveness of dialysis and blood filtering.)     NR 1.20 or Higher  

As indicated above, several of my latest numbers are hovering in or near the red. The Potassium, as you know, is expected to jump all over. The Hemoglobin and PTH will also move around. The big surprise is my Albumin. Will all the protein I ingest from day to day, I didn't expect this one to be so low. I already know what my doctor will say..."Eat more protein!" (long exhalation by me...)

Also, with my Hemoglobin on the edge of being too low, I anticipate having Iron injections starting up again at dialysis. I'll be surprised if these don't begin soon.

Dialysis Weights:

30 Jul 15

Starting Weight:  97.3 Kg

Ending Weight:  93.5 Kg

Water Removed:  3.80 Kg

Start BP: 187/114    End BP: 107/78

01 Aug 15

Starting Weight:  95.3 Kg

Ending Weight:  93.4 Kg

Water Removed:  1.90 Kg

Start BP: 150/88     End BP: 109/77

04 Aug 15

Starting Weight:  97.3 Kg

Ending Weight:  93.6 Kg

Water Removed:  3.70 Kg

Start BP: 212/117     End BP: 123/78

06 Aug 15

Starting Weight:  96.0 Kg

Ending Weight:  93.6 Kg

Water Removed:  2.40 Kg

Start BP: 191/115     End BP: 141/86

08 Aug 15

Starting Weight:  96.5 Kg

Ending Weight:  93.5 Kg

Water Removed:  3.00 Kg

Start BP: 180/105     End BP: 124/77

11 Aug 15

Starting Weight:  97.6 Kg

Ending Weight:  93.4 Kg

Water Removed:  4.20 Kg

Start BP: 179/111     End BP: 139/89

13 Aug 15

Starting Weight:  95.6 Kg

Ending Weight:  93.5 Kg

Water Removed:  2.10 Kg

Start BP: 199/112     End BP: 106/58

15 Aug 15

Starting Weight:  95.8 Kg

Ending Weight:  93.6 Kg

Water Removed:  2.20 Kg

Start BP: 176/111     End BP: 143/96

18 Aug 15

Starting Weight:  98.2 Kg

Ending Weight:  94.0 Kg

Water Removed:  4.20 Kg

Start BP: 189/120     End BP: 151/94

20 Aug 15

Starting Weight:  96.7 Kg

Ending Weight:  93.4 Kg

Water Removed:  3.30 Kg

Start BP: 198/119     End BP: 132/90

22 Aug 15

Starting Weight:  95.5 Kg

Ending Weight:  93.5 Kg

Water Removed:  2.00 Kg

Start BP: 161/98     End BP: 110/74

Well, excepting for a few spikes in weight, consistency is the name of the game of the weeks since my last entry. The spikes in my pre-weight are likely due to too much fluid intake, a/o excess weight in non-excreted waste. The fluid thing is an ongoing issue, and the waste thing has already been addressed. So maybe...just maybe I'll have some better, more consistent weights coming up...

I have been following my self-imposed plan on taking a stool softener each dialysis day. This has already led to better and more frequent BM's, and as a result, my starting weights have been lower overall. I will keep this going as it is obviously doing some good. If I start having diarrhea, that Tx (Treatment) will stop, of course.

Sleep has again been an issue. As indicated last entry, I am sleeping more again, and feeling excessively tired most of the time, as well. Along with that, I am sleeping a few hours a day more. I am getting 4-5 hours pre-D, and 7.5 hours post-D, then another 3-4 hours shortly after that. It's no fun being tired, but at least I can sleep whenever, and for as long as I need.

And on that subject, my dreams continue to be fully under my control. No nightmares recently; and the ones that start to go there are quickly changed by me on a conscious level. Having that control again is so comforting!

Appetite Fatigue has been a growing issue as of late. I am just sick of eggs, tired of eating such a regimented diet, and am done with foods turning my appetite off simply because they look, smell, or taste heavy (greasy), not fresh or simply unappetizing. I just want to eat...everything! Ah well...soon. Very soon...

On that line of thinking, I am getting fatigued with not drinking as much as I want. Even after all these years on dialysis I STILL want to chug every liquid I put to my lips! In a way, this is a very good thing. That means that the likelihood that I will drink enough post-transplant is very high. If I wasn't thirsty all the time, then I have been told that many dialysis patients actually dehydrate themselves because they are drinking too little while urinating with a healthy kidney again. So--frustratingly enough--thirst away!

I am completely ready--well, as completely as I can be--for my transplant. My "Go Bag" is stocked and packed, I have my list of items to grab, placed a list of my current meds and of people to contact [about the transplant] in my bag, we bought additional pillows for my home recovery time, I have hand sanitizer around the house and in the car, and we are getting maintenance and brakes done on the car over the next week. We already keep our car's gas tank between Full and Half because you never know when the call will come in, and you don't want to be stuck on the side of the road because, in your haste to get to the hospital, you forgot to fill up the tank!   Like I said, as ready as I can be.

My nausea over the last three weeks has been better overall. I have had several days that I haven't taken any Zofran, and a few times at dialysis that I didn't get any pre-Tx. Of course, there have been other days that I have taken Zofran every four hours all day long, and munching on my soft TUMS chews between. In all, there has been a definite difference with my nausea. Addressing the whole BM thing certainly helps this, as well.

Mentally, I am doing better. I had a few weeks that found me a touch glum, but I have since bounced back to my old self. When you're dealing with a chronic illness, there will be times that you feel tired of it all; but it is best to get out when you can, walk in places that lift your heart, do some laughing, smile a lot, and just have your burden lifted for a few hours. Doing these things does wonders for your mental state amidst your trials.

And that is all I have, for now.

Looking forward to the next chapter!

Good Health to All!

ScottW