Post-Transplant Update: 31 August 2017

I have a LOT of info--some, highly unexpected--to give you on this update. So, let's just plunge right into things...

First, I am now off two more meds, and have one that is new. Gone are the Lasix (Furosemide) and the daily dose of Zantac.
I am adding a Clonidine patch to help regulate my blood pressure until the Transplant Team can figure out why it continues to be elevated. The patch is a once per week application. As I still have to pick up the prescription, I do not yet have to paperwork stating side effects.  How long I will be using this is still a large unknown.

Next, my White Blood Count continues to be lower than what is wanted. So, there are two things I will be doing in the coming weeks. One, I will be receiving an injection of Neupogen, and WBC growth-stimulating medication to increase my body's ability to produce those necessary White Blood Cells.

Now, I can hear some of you clamoring with the fact that, as a transplant patient, I cannot have strong, active WBC's that might overwhelm the kidney. Well, that much is true...to a point. While too many WBC's can attack the transplanted organ, too few will potentially lead to the collapse of what little of my immune system remains leaving me vulnerable to cancers of various types--the main concern--and illnesses that would otherwise be considered minor (colds, infections, etc) attacking my body and causing all sorts of potentially serious life-endangering issues, and possible destroying the kidney.

For now, this is all precautionary! If anything changes that is otherwise, I will certainly pass that info on.

Two, I am scheduled to see a Cancer Specialist on 19 Sept to again, eliminate anything untoward happening in my body. By its very nature, organs that are transplanted run the inherent risk of developing various types of cancer, diabetes and other ailments. Much of what happens to develop these conditions depends of the individual patient life choices. As I have stated before, aside from the whole kidney thing, I am generally very healthy, have exercised my entire life and adjust my diet properly as I have aged. There ARE a few of incidences of cancer in my family history, but two were related to smoking, and the other was related to extremely poor efforts to assure proper doctor care oversight, leading to an unnecessary (and completely avoidable) outbreak of prostate cancer that led directly to a death. That's it, so far as I am aware.

***That is all I am going to write on this entry as the bigger news is on the next entry, and completely took over everything before I could finish typing this up.***