That pretty much sums up the past week.
My Tuesday pre and post dialysis sleep totaled twenty hours (!). On Thursday, it came up to seventeen. Yesterday (Saturday), another sixteen total hours of sleep. And between any times that I am asleep, I am feeling exhausted, sleepy, etc.
I know that a low Albumin count can contribute to excessive tiredness, but my Albumin is, although on the low end of the scale, is just fine. This may have more to do with my poor appetite lately than anything else.
The good news in this is that I am beginning to eat a bit more. While I am still only getting one good meal a day, I have actually been finishing my post-D lunches both Thursday and Saturday, and I am snacking more, as well. Hopefully, this will turn into a growing trend, because I definitely need to be eating more.
On an aside, I have been copying all of my blog posts and have been reading everything I've been going through the past nearly seven years--I can't believe it's been that long! Anyhow, after reading one particular years' worth of posts, I thought I'd mention/update a few things I haven't talked about in some time.
1) Yes, I am still using a cane anytime I am outside of the house. I continue to have issues with vertigo (minor), and still lose my balance at random times. Plus, whenever I grow tired, the cane keeps me on my feet. It has been an invaluable tool for me. When I'm again strong enough, not using the cane will be weird.
2) My eyes continue to fluctuate between good and poor vision. When it is poor, reading is difficult due to blurriness. At those times, my glasses really come in handy. Thank goodness I have those to help. I mentioned a few posts ago that I need to see the Ophthalmologist, which will be coming up.
3) Since abandoning the Minoxidil, it took about two plus years for the whole out of control hair growth to calm down. Not needing the extra hair really set my body on its ear! At least now I don't have hair growing all over the tops of my feet...or at random places in my ears...or on the knuckles of my hands...etc. And there are no more two or three inch hairs growing on my legs, or arms. (Thank Goodness!) :o)
4) One of the stranger side effects from previous meds I am no longer having was random areas on my head that would see the skin dry out and flake off with just a slight rub, along with seeming uncontrolled dandruff. This would happen on my chin, my jaw line, my ears and sometimes behind the ears. The change away from this side effect is quite welcomed, and never missed.
.......
I had something happen at my dialysis clinic last week that made me remember just how important it is for any patient to be aware of, and take care of themselves and their healthcare. Ever since I had my kidneys removed nearly three years ago I have been using the anti-emetic Zofran on a regular basis. No other ant-emetic that I've tried does what Zofran does. Anyhow, at dialysis I usually get a dose when I start and stop treatment. All the usual nurses at the clinic know this by now.
About a week ago, a substitute nurse--who is terrible to begin with--was working the clinic. At the end of my session I asked for Zofran, and she came in and promptly stated, "I have your Benadryl." My immediate reply was, "That had better NOT be Benadryl! Because if it is, I'll sleep for hours, and my wife will be pretty mad!" She replied, "No, I'm pretty sure it is." "Are you sure?" to which she replied, "Yeah, I think so."
My final reply was, "Alright...we'll see."
Luckily, it was Zofran.
I knowingly allowed her to proceed for two reasons...1) Aside from a very long sleep, the side effects would be minimal. 2) Part of me wanted to watch this terrible nurse screw up so that she would no longer work at the clinic if she was wrong.
My point is this...
That nurse should have checked the med to verify exactly what it was. She was completely irresponsible for not going back to the nurses station and checking for herself.
Your healthcare is entirely in YOUR hands! Educate yourself about every facet of everything you are going through...Meds, Treatments, Procedures, etc.
-Ask questions about anything you don't fully understand.
-Get online and research things you've discussed with your physicians.
-Know the side effects of any meds you are prescribed.
-If you are uncomfortable with anything, take control and ask questions, understand procedures, ask surgeons to clarify anything you don't comprehend prior to surgeries.
-Educate, Educate, Educate!
Only YOU can know what is best for you! If you have any concerns, fully discuss them with your doctors. Nervousness is one thing going into any procedure or treatment...Fear is quite another. Ask as many questions as you want.
The more you know, the easier everything becomes when dealing with long-term health issues. (THAT is absolute truth!)
Anyhow, that's all I have for today. May each of you have a successful, wonderful week ahead! Continue to do and be your very best every single day!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
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