Let's start with my latest lab results...
(20 Mar 18)
Tac: 7.1 (-0.3) IR
Creat: 1.92 (+0.28) High
CA: 10.4 (+0.3) IR
RBC: 4.4 (NC) Low
WBC: 6.7 (+0.2) IR
HCT: 39.7 (NC) Low
Lymph: 11.5 (+0.5) Low
Lymph ABS: 0.8 (+0.1) Low
Neut: 69.5 (NC) IR
Neut ABS: 4.6 (-0.1) IR
GFR: 38 (-8) Low
BUN: 35 (+7) High
Gluc: 94 IR
Phos: 3.9 (+0.4) IR
Hemo: 12.8 (+0.2) Low
K+: 4.3 (-0.4) IR
NA+: 139 (-1) IR
BK: Negative
CMV: Negative
*IR = In Range *+/- = over/under from last labs *Low/High = compared to current value ranges
*NC = No Change
*NC = No Change
The jump in my creatinine is troubling, but my Tac is excellent; so there is little worry about any rejection. I have been instructed to keep the Myfortic (Celcept) dosage the same for now, and do labs again next week in order to check if the creatinine reading was aberrant or truly off. If the number is indeed higher, then we'll address the problem with a medication adjustment. Overall, I am pleased with these latest results.
I had my first visit with a non-Kidney Clinic doctor last week. The appointment took nearly an hour as we discussed everything that has taken place since my transplant. He was pleased with my progress considering all the setbacks I've had in the last ten months.
My next appointment will be in early April.
As I'd spoken of in my last entry, I have finally started wearing shoes whenever I go walking (but still NOT wearing socks around the house). It is really weird to wear shoes again, and I actually tripped over my feet a few times on the first walk! No falls resulted, though, and my walks have concluded successfully. Once I get home however, I get those shoes and socks off as quickly as possible! My feet are burning like mad and getting everything off of them is paramount (!).
On the plus side, my walks have increased from a few hundred yards to nearly a mile! Granted, the walks aren't the swiftest I have ever done, and going up even short, slight inclines is exhausting... at least I am putting in the effort. My goal with walking is to be matching my previous pace--from before I was sick--of eight miles in one hour. I will try to get back to that physical shape and stamina by the end of the summer. Considering where I am now, that goal may be lofty, but I know that I can accomplish this. My progress towards this goal will be documented. For now, I am walking every other day and giving my body time to rest between walks. This allows not only rest, but the natural building of muscle, as well.To be up to a mile in such a brief period of time is surprising. I love muscle memory! :o)
My appetite remains good, though I am attempting to keep my food intake down a bit until I get more active as my weight has increased too much over the past month and a half from ongoing inactivity brought on by the much longer than expected post-surgical healing. For me, eating like this becomes a balancing act because throughout my entire life, if I fail to get enough to eat during the day--and at regular intervals, I get extremely nauseated for some reason. I think that I have previously explained that my body mimics hypoglycemia without my being hypoglycemic. I know...I've been tested several times for any indicator of hypoglycemia a/o diabetes. The result is always the same...no indication of either. So anyway, finding that proper balance between eating enough and too little is tough. Some days I do well, and others not so much.
My abdomen has been healing nicely. The pain from the intercostal muscles seems to be gone, and I am going longer and longer without the binder on. I even drove myself on errands twice yesterday without the binder on, and I was no worse for wear. That is a significant improvement! I still get lots of pain when I do too much, but I am seeing definite progress in my healing. The only ongoing thing with my abdomen is continued numbness of the entire upper and lower abdomen. I presume this will decrease over time.
Quality sleep continues to be a challenge for me. I have been regularly getting between 7-8 hours of sleep every night, but find myself exhausted most days. I think this is because of the healing my body is doing. What I am hoping for is that the more I heal, the better I will sleep. We'll see.
The headaches have been up and down in both intensity and duration. I have still to begin those relaxation techniques I spoke of on my last entry, but I will get those started.
I have been attempting to kick start my brain again by doing jigsaw puzzles of at least 1,000 pieces. This helps me to recognize patterns, details, logic etc, and has really sharpened my brain processes. I have already completed two puzzles and am working on a third. I am well on my way back to great mental acuity. In addition, I still play games of logic, trivia, strategy, etc, and have actually started reading history books once again. My current reading is entitled, "The Washington Hypothesis" by Timothy Ballard. It is a fascinating read that contains much history that has been lost to secular historical revisionism, and I personally find it to be incredible history. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves United States history!
That's all I have for today. I am looking forward to accelerated healing and overall progress over the next few weeks.
Until next time...
Good Health to All!
ScottW
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