**Reminder...This blog reflects MY personal journey with PCKD, dialysis and renal transplant; treatments, medication use, tests, etc. Every kidney patient is different, so be sure that you follow your physicians' advice and treatment plan. Only they can know how best to proceed for any individual patient.
Everything that has happened to me following transplant is NOT the normal course of events, so it should never be construed to reflect every transplant patients' journey.
As I have little to pass on today, this entry will be relatively brief.
To start, the one-month follow-up with the Parathyroid doctor went well. He was extremely pleased with my labs (PTH of 62, CA of 9.9), and with the fact that my energy has increased. Also, after examining the scar, he saw a several pieces of suture that have not yet fully dissolved. Of these, he removed two sections, and left another three as they were too deep in the skin to safely excise. For the remainder, I am to put a Neosporin-type gel on the incision for three or four days in order to help the sutures finish dissolving. After that, to put lidocaine cream on the incision to help alleviate most of the discomfort I am still feeling.
(When I first applied the gel, I could feel the ends of the remaining sutures under my fingertips, so I was sure to do this very gently so as to avoid unnecessary irritation.)
I am also to reduce my intake of Calcium (Tums) from 1,000 mg every four hours (or 6 each day), to 1,000 mg every six hours. In one month--after my next labs--I am to call the office's nurse and ask of I need to adjust the calcium intake again, or leave it alone.
Lastly, the doctor volunteered a bit of information that made me appreciate his work even more than I already do. When he did his surgical training, he was under the tutelage of "the best EENT surgeon in the world, at that time." I was amazed by his comment, then remarked to the doctor that throughout my whole kidney journey, I keep having doctors come into my life that are either tops in their field, or who trained under top physicians or programs. The doctor then remarked, "You are both blessed and extremely fortunate for that to happen."
Definitely!
As far as my day to day, another indicator that my energy is up is that I have made dinner (from scratch) every night for the past week. Plus, I even fully cleaned the kitchen after eating a few times, which I haven't done since probably 2013, or so.
Next, my headaches have taken an uptick this past week. While that is disappointing, I have to take into account that these headaches are only TMD involved, instead of having some that hit without any jaw popping, as was the case before the Parathyroid glands were removed. On average, my T3 use has increased to four tablets per day (plus a 500 mg Excedrin each dose). Even with that increase, I am still having to tolerate quite a bit of headache pain all day.
So, while the headaches have increased, there is only a single cause now, rather than having a second, and wholly unrelated factor [to the TMD] involved. This result only confirms that the high PTH level was causing additional headaches.
I forgot to have my wife take pictures of me as my starting point reference now that I can begin moving forward, physically. I will get these done, and post them when I do.
Lastly today, I received some sad personal news yesterday. My only brother died in his sleep over the weekend. He was 59 years old. The cause of death is unknown at this time; but he was dealing with MS (Multiple Sclerosis), and apparently, had been struggling with ETOH (Alcohol) for a number of years. He was unmarried, and had no children.
And on that unfortunate note, I will conclude this entry. I will write again next week.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Post-Transplant Update: 20 March 2019
This week, I will start off talking about the obvious benefit of the now-removed dysfunctional Parathyroid glands. I had my monthly labs yesterday, and the fresh Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) level has dropped from 103 (26 Feb 19) down to 62.
That number is essentially middle of the range for a normal PTH reading.
This is fantastic news!
Next up, I had that dental appointment, and the tooth that had a piece come off is NOT affected other than having the broken section on the cheek side of the tooth. The dentist told me that the area had a clean break, and I would need a crown to cover it. I should be getting that taken care of in the next few weeks.
On the post-surgery side of things, the scar is looking better. I took the following picture yesterday; just under four weeks after the surgery...
As far as other things affected by the Parathyroidectomy, my nausea has reduced to almost zero, my headaches, though up and down this past week, are showing a definite improvement. In fact yesterday, I took only a single T3 and Excedrin all day. That's all.
Again, the downturn could very well be coincidental [in regards to the TMD symptomology]; but high PTH levels can cause prolonged unremittent headaches, so time will tell if the is real, or not.
I had my March Belatacept infusion yesterday, as well. The stick and the infusion were both done well, and I have had zero side effects once more.
19 Mar 19 Labs
*Creat: 2.65 (-0.09)
*HCT: 36.1 (+0.9) IR
*Hemo: 11.1 (+0.1) IR
*Lymph: 15.3 (+1.1) IR (Very Low End)
*Lymph ABS: 1.0 (+0.2) IR
*Neut: 78.7 (+0.5) High
*Neut ABS: 4.9 (+0.7) IR
*RBC: 3.69 (+0.06) Low
*WBC: 6.2 (+0.9) IR
BUN: 40 (-7) Extremely High
*CA: 9.9 (NC) IR
*GFR: 26 (+1) Extremely Low
*Gluc: 96
*K+: 4.4 (-0.1) IR
*NA+: 138 (NC) IR
*Prot: 7.0 (+0.3) IR
*MG: 2.2 (+0.3) IR
*Phos: 4.1 (+0.5) IR
**PTH (Parathyroid Hormone): 62 (-39) Middle of the Range
NC= No Change IR= In Range
On the labs above, after a series of elevations [possibly due to the high PTH], the Creatinine is coming down. I am still hoping this drops to around the 2.0 mark.
The Hematocrit, Hemoglobin and Red Blood Cells all showed more improvement now that the Parathyroids are out. As far as the RBC's, a normal level is 4.50 to 5.90; so I still have a ways to go, but at least now that number is consistently increasing.
Lastly, the Lymphocytes are better--instead of taking a dive; such as has been the case since the rejection episode. Plus, the Lymphocyte Absolute (Lymph ABS) rose to a solid 1.0 for the first time since last Spring. A key indicator of immune system health, I was extremely pleased to see this lab value finally hit that mark!
Next, this months' UA results:
UA 19 Mar 19:
These numbers are terrific! Aside from a trace of Protein, this reading is exactly what it was in February; which indicates that the kidney continues to process fluids properly.
My wife and I were discussing my weight gain since my transplant. At that time, I went into the hospital weighing 93.3 Kg.
With the steroids involved with transplantation, with the renal occlusion, with the hernia surgery and then the rejection episode, I have put on about 30 Kg's. Now of that amount, about 7 Kg's can be attributed to muscle increase, as I was moving around more.
The rest, water gain from high steroid therapy, is what I have to remove. We estimate that I have about 50 pounds to lose for my ideal muscle weight. That is about 22.7 Kg's.
Add in anticipated muscle gain, and I want to be at 235 pounds, or 106.8 Kg.
Now that I have that number, I have a hard target to shoot for, instead of an iffy 'about here' target that would likely change constantly. With Spring here, and my strength slowly increasing, it is time to get walking again. My 10-step plan for getting in shape is still valid...I just have to adjust the timeline a bit.
And in anticipation of that journey, I am going to humble myself and post a profile pic of how I look now for comparison against when I achieve my weight loss and muscle mass increase. I am planning on posting that next week.
Speaking of next week, I have my one-month follow-up with the doctor who removed the three parathyroid glands. We will discuss the latest PTH number, and most likely adjust my calcium intake. Of course, I will inform you of all necessary information from that visit.
Aside from that appointment, I won' have (amazingly enough) another doctor visit--scheduled, at least--until May for my 2-year Kidney-versary, then early July for my local nephrologist. FINALLY! :o)
And with that, I will end this latest entry.
Until next week...
Good Health to All!
ScottW
That number is essentially middle of the range for a normal PTH reading.
This is fantastic news!
Next up, I had that dental appointment, and the tooth that had a piece come off is NOT affected other than having the broken section on the cheek side of the tooth. The dentist told me that the area had a clean break, and I would need a crown to cover it. I should be getting that taken care of in the next few weeks.
On the post-surgery side of things, the scar is looking better. I took the following picture yesterday; just under four weeks after the surgery...
Again, the downturn could very well be coincidental [in regards to the TMD symptomology]; but high PTH levels can cause prolonged unremittent headaches, so time will tell if the is real, or not.
I had my March Belatacept infusion yesterday, as well. The stick and the infusion were both done well, and I have had zero side effects once more.
19 Mar 19 Labs
*Creat: 2.65 (-0.09)
*HCT: 36.1 (+0.9) IR
*Hemo: 11.1 (+0.1) IR
*Lymph: 15.3 (+1.1) IR (Very Low End)
*Lymph ABS: 1.0 (+0.2) IR
*Neut: 78.7 (+0.5) High
*Neut ABS: 4.9 (+0.7) IR
*RBC: 3.69 (+0.06) Low
*WBC: 6.2 (+0.9) IR
BUN: 40 (-7) Extremely High
*CA: 9.9 (NC) IR
*GFR: 26 (+1) Extremely Low
*Gluc: 96
*K+: 4.4 (-0.1) IR
*NA+: 138 (NC) IR
*Prot: 7.0 (+0.3) IR
*MG: 2.2 (+0.3) IR
*Phos: 4.1 (+0.5) IR
**PTH (Parathyroid Hormone): 62 (-39) Middle of the Range
NC= No Change IR= In Range
On the labs above, after a series of elevations [possibly due to the high PTH], the Creatinine is coming down. I am still hoping this drops to around the 2.0 mark.
The Hematocrit, Hemoglobin and Red Blood Cells all showed more improvement now that the Parathyroids are out. As far as the RBC's, a normal level is 4.50 to 5.90; so I still have a ways to go, but at least now that number is consistently increasing.
Lastly, the Lymphocytes are better--instead of taking a dive; such as has been the case since the rejection episode. Plus, the Lymphocyte Absolute (Lymph ABS) rose to a solid 1.0 for the first time since last Spring. A key indicator of immune system health, I was extremely pleased to see this lab value finally hit that mark!
Next, this months' UA results:
UA 19 Mar 19:
Appearance: Normal
Color: Normal
Glucose, UR: Negative
Hgb,UR: Negative
Ketones, UR: Negative
Leuk Esterase: Negative
Nitrite: Negative
pH, Urine: 5.5 (Normal Range is 5.0-8.5)
Prot, UR: Trace
Specific Gravity, Urine: 1.01 (Normal Range is 1.003-1.030)
These numbers are terrific! Aside from a trace of Protein, this reading is exactly what it was in February; which indicates that the kidney continues to process fluids properly.
My wife and I were discussing my weight gain since my transplant. At that time, I went into the hospital weighing 93.3 Kg.
With the steroids involved with transplantation, with the renal occlusion, with the hernia surgery and then the rejection episode, I have put on about 30 Kg's. Now of that amount, about 7 Kg's can be attributed to muscle increase, as I was moving around more.
The rest, water gain from high steroid therapy, is what I have to remove. We estimate that I have about 50 pounds to lose for my ideal muscle weight. That is about 22.7 Kg's.
Add in anticipated muscle gain, and I want to be at 235 pounds, or 106.8 Kg.
Now that I have that number, I have a hard target to shoot for, instead of an iffy 'about here' target that would likely change constantly. With Spring here, and my strength slowly increasing, it is time to get walking again. My 10-step plan for getting in shape is still valid...I just have to adjust the timeline a bit.
And in anticipation of that journey, I am going to humble myself and post a profile pic of how I look now for comparison against when I achieve my weight loss and muscle mass increase. I am planning on posting that next week.
Speaking of next week, I have my one-month follow-up with the doctor who removed the three parathyroid glands. We will discuss the latest PTH number, and most likely adjust my calcium intake. Of course, I will inform you of all necessary information from that visit.
Aside from that appointment, I won' have (amazingly enough) another doctor visit--scheduled, at least--until May for my 2-year Kidney-versary, then early July for my local nephrologist. FINALLY! :o)
And with that, I will end this latest entry.
Until next week...
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Post-Transplant Update: 12 March 2019
Recovery from the Parathyroid surgery has gone about as expected.
Nearly three weeks out from the surgery, I am getting around pretty well. I have noticed that my energy level is definitely better--though still very low. For example...in my home there are three flights of stairs; from the entry to the main area (kitchen, DR, LR, etc), then two additional flights from there up to the bedrooms. Previous to the surgery, if I had to climb all three flights, I would be dragging and exhausted by the time I was on the landing between the second and third flight of stairs. Post-surgery, I can now climb all three flights and NOT be exhausted. Tired, yes; but not exhausted.
So, definite improvement here!
Also, my blood pressure (BP) has reduced both morning and evening. Prior to the surgery, both readings had been trending upwards for a number of weeks. My average A.M BP had gone from 115-125 systolic to 130-145. P.M readings were even worse, going from 125-140 up to 145-155 systolic.
Now, my ranges are going from 103-130 systolic in the morning, and 125-138 systolic in the evening.
Another improvement has been that my headaches have reduced over this past week. Now, this may be coincidental to the lowered PTH level, which I freely acknowledge. The reduction may simply be a down-cycle of my headaches. Or, it may be directly due to the removal of the three parathyroid glands. Time will tell.
Next, the surgery site is definitely better.
Over time, the scar should be minimally visible.
As of this writing, the scar is still extremely sore. I must still only wear shirts that avoid touching the area. Turning my neck too much every day also exacerbates the pain. Again, this will improve over time.
A possible side effect of the sustained high PTH level may have evidenced itself during my hospital stay. I had part of a tooth break off, which has never happened before. My teeth have always been pretty healthy, aside from a few cavities; so this breakage is possibly due to calcium deficiency in my teeth.
I have a dental exam tomorrow to find out if I have more issues with my teeth, and how to correct the broken tooth. I will definitely update you on my next entry.
This past week my weight increased unexpectedly for three straight days, going from 122 Kg to 125 Kg. [As earlier instructed by Kidney Clinic doctors] I took a Lasix pill twice on Sunday. Over the course of the day, I got rid of all my fluid intake, plus another 1.1 Kg's of fluid that I had retained. (I only took the Lasix for a single day.)
As of this morning, I had voided all of yesterday's fluid intake, plus, another five tenths of a Kg--now at 122.4 Kg. The Lasix essentially helped the kidney as it is intended. I will look for additional incremental weight-loss in the coming days.
Yesterday, I took for first post-surgery walk. Granted, it wasn't a long walk (only about 200 yards), but it was a start. I am planning on doing these walks pretty much every day in order to build up stamina and strength; however slowly that might occur.
I believe that that is all for today.
Next week are monthly labs and Belatacept infusion (on Tuesday, 19 March). I will update you after that.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Nearly three weeks out from the surgery, I am getting around pretty well. I have noticed that my energy level is definitely better--though still very low. For example...in my home there are three flights of stairs; from the entry to the main area (kitchen, DR, LR, etc), then two additional flights from there up to the bedrooms. Previous to the surgery, if I had to climb all three flights, I would be dragging and exhausted by the time I was on the landing between the second and third flight of stairs. Post-surgery, I can now climb all three flights and NOT be exhausted. Tired, yes; but not exhausted.
So, definite improvement here!
Also, my blood pressure (BP) has reduced both morning and evening. Prior to the surgery, both readings had been trending upwards for a number of weeks. My average A.M BP had gone from 115-125 systolic to 130-145. P.M readings were even worse, going from 125-140 up to 145-155 systolic.
Now, my ranges are going from 103-130 systolic in the morning, and 125-138 systolic in the evening.
Another improvement has been that my headaches have reduced over this past week. Now, this may be coincidental to the lowered PTH level, which I freely acknowledge. The reduction may simply be a down-cycle of my headaches. Or, it may be directly due to the removal of the three parathyroid glands. Time will tell.
Next, the surgery site is definitely better.
(Three weeks post-surgery. No bruising. Reduced swelling.)
As of this writing, the scar is still extremely sore. I must still only wear shirts that avoid touching the area. Turning my neck too much every day also exacerbates the pain. Again, this will improve over time.
A possible side effect of the sustained high PTH level may have evidenced itself during my hospital stay. I had part of a tooth break off, which has never happened before. My teeth have always been pretty healthy, aside from a few cavities; so this breakage is possibly due to calcium deficiency in my teeth.
I have a dental exam tomorrow to find out if I have more issues with my teeth, and how to correct the broken tooth. I will definitely update you on my next entry.
This past week my weight increased unexpectedly for three straight days, going from 122 Kg to 125 Kg. [As earlier instructed by Kidney Clinic doctors] I took a Lasix pill twice on Sunday. Over the course of the day, I got rid of all my fluid intake, plus another 1.1 Kg's of fluid that I had retained. (I only took the Lasix for a single day.)
As of this morning, I had voided all of yesterday's fluid intake, plus, another five tenths of a Kg--now at 122.4 Kg. The Lasix essentially helped the kidney as it is intended. I will look for additional incremental weight-loss in the coming days.
Yesterday, I took for first post-surgery walk. Granted, it wasn't a long walk (only about 200 yards), but it was a start. I am planning on doing these walks pretty much every day in order to build up stamina and strength; however slowly that might occur.
I believe that that is all for today.
Next week are monthly labs and Belatacept infusion (on Tuesday, 19 March). I will update you after that.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Post-Transplant Update: 04 March 2019
Following my recent Parathyroidectomy--the excision of Parathyroid glands--I am finally up to getting this blog update written.
To start...my most recent Labs...
19 Feb 19 Labs
*Creat: 2.74 (+0.47) High
*Hct: 35.3 (+1.4) IR (Low End)
*Hemo: 11.0 (+0.4) IR
*Lymph: 14.2 (+3.7) IR (Low end)
*Lymph ABS: 4.2 (-0.4) IR
*Neut: 78.2 (+0.5) High
*Neut ABS: 4.2 (-0.4) IR
*RBC: 3.9 (+0.15) Low
*WBC: 5.3 (-0.6) IR
*BUN: 47 (+12) Extremely High
*CA: 9.9 (+0.2) IR
*GFR: 25 (-6) Extremely Low
*Gluc: 87
*K+: 4.5 (NC) IR
*NA+: 138 (NC) IR
*Prot: 6.7 (+0.1) IR
*MG: 1.9 (-0.3) IR
*Phos: 3.6 (+0.2) IR
NC= No Change IR= In Range
I am highlighting only the Hematocrit, Hemoglobin and Lymphocytes because all three rose significantly. The effects of last Springs' anti-thymo treatment are finally loosening their grip on my labs. With the rise in my Lymphocytes I can once again --FINALLY--stop wearing a mask everywhere I go. That only took about eleven months!
In all, these three lab values represent a stronger, healthier immune system, and improved RBC production in my bone marrow.
In total, these labs have twelve values that are within the desired ranges. This is a big improvement over my January labs!
In total, these labs have twelve values that are within the desired ranges. This is a big improvement over my January labs!
Urinalysis 19 Feb 19
Appearance: Normal
Color: Normal
Glucose, UR: Negative
Hgb,UR: Negative
Ketones, UR: Negative
Leuk Esterase: Negative
Nitrite: Negative
pH, Urine: 5.5 (Normal Range is 5.0-8.5)
Prot, UR: Negative
Specific Gravity, Urine: 1.01 (Normal Range is 1.003-1.030)
The only number on my UA that changed was the pH, which dropped slightly. So, my kidney looks to be working nicely.
Next, as is now usual, the afternoon that my labs were drawn was my February Belatacept infusion. There were no issues with the cannulation or the infusion itself, and there have been zero side effects.
I had the surgery (Parathyroidectomy) to remove up to three of the four Parathyroid glands on 20 February, as scheduled.
*The post-op PTH I stated earlier was later in the evening. The number just above was approximately six minutes after the affected parathyroid glands were removed.
Regarding other areas post-op, I am eating normally; my fluid intake remains the same as before the surgery (3-4 L each day); my sleep is inconsistent as per usual following any hospital stay; my headaches have been elevated due to yet another intubation [for the surgery]; I am less active, though this changes a little each day as I continue to heal, and my weight has been fairly consistent from day to day.
Again, with the PTH levels now normal, and the blood calcium now being about where it should be, I am looking to see increased strength and stamina. Now, I know I have a REALLY long road of recovery ahead, but with Spring nearly upon us, I should be able to get out walking again, slowing building my leg strength; which I am very much looking forward to happening!
So...THAT is all I am willing to type up right now. I am already a day late getting this posted because of all the info I had to pass along.
I have my next labs and Belatacept Infusion on the 19th. I will hopefully get another entry done before then.
I want to Thank Everyone for your thoughts and prayers during the time of my surgery!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
07 March 19
*After reading through previous entries regarding the whole Parathyroid thing, I neglected to mention an important bit of information that will help to place the size of the now removed Parathyroid glands , into a better perspective.
Each Parathyroid gland is about the size of a grain of rice, and weighs approximately 40 mg. So, comparing that to the size the glands were upon removal (as stated above) helps you to understand just how enlarged they had become, and why they had to be removed.
(Pointing to where the surgery would be. 20 Feb 19)
(Ready for another surgery. 20 Feb 19)
After all the now all too familiar pre-surgical prep was done, I spoke with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist; all info was exchanged, and I was taken to surgery.
The surgery itself lasted only about 1.5 hours--easy compared with my last two surgeries!
Of the four Parathyroid glands, there were indeed a total of three of the four glands removed. In general, all three were about five times larger than normal, while the fourth parathyroid was only fractionally larger, which the surgeon left alone.
While I had been told where the incision would be, the actual location was about two inches lower on my neck. This was simply because my larynx (and thyroid gland--which is what the parathyroids sit on) is lower on my neck than was expected.
(Surgical incision site, post-operative. 20 Feb 19)
The surgery went on without any issues; aside from the actual location of the incision.
As I already knew that I would be in-hospital overnight, my stay was expected. I did well post-op, and was resting comfortably that evening. My labs (for PTH and calcium) came back dramatically reduced from 275 (PTH) to 103, and 10.4 (Calcium) to 8.6.
For this surgery, I was NOT given any special diet--Thank goodness!--and was able to eat whenever I was ready.
Also, the anesthesiologist had used some steroids to aid in reducing surgical inflammation, so my blood sugars spiked to a high of 188, which was treated with 2 IU of insulin. This only happened a single time. After this, my blood sugars returned to normal.
The day after surgery, the surgeon came to visit and stated that he'd like for me to stay one extra night as a precaution against a sudden drop in my calcium, which could lead to a massive calcium deficiency; which in turn could cause cardiac, renal, respiratory and bone issues. This happens when, following parathyroid surgery, the body is unable to compensate for sudden calcium deficits due to what is called "Bone Hunger." You see, high PTH levels can cause too little calcium from reaching bones and maintaining bone health and integrity. Once the PTH levels drop, the bones can then begin to take all the calcium out of the blood in order to improve the health of the bones.
This stripping away of the blood calcium in turn can have serious deleterious effects on a number or internal organs any systems within the body including renal issues, cardiac arrhythmias (and possible arrest), etc.
My doctor was concerned that with the length of time that I was on dialysis, combined with the lengthy PTH increase, my body would indeed go into sudden and severe Bone Hunger. So, I ended up with a second day of observation.
Following that second day, my labs looked great, and I was allowed to go home to finish my recovery.
(On the pictures below, the intended incision was to be at about the top of the bruising above the surgical site.)
(Surgical site two days post-op. 22 Feb 19)
(Parathyroid Excision site without steri strips. 27 Feb 18)
(Parathyroid Excision scar 01 March 19)
*By the way, the only reason I am wearing a necklace is because it holds my MedicAlert emblem, which I wear any time I am out of the house.
Once at home, I only spent about two days in bed. After that, I was walking around pretty much normally. About the only adjustment I've had to make was wear low-necked shirts so that nothing rubs against the scar as it is still bruised and very tender to the touch of any materials. Even as I write this today, I cannot have even very light-weight shirts rubbing against the site. I expect this to continue for another two or three weeks.
Since my initial recovery, I have already noticed a couple of improvements. First, my daily Blood Pressure (BP) has dropped both morning and night. Second, I already have a noticeable uptick in my energy level. Both are welcomed developments!
One week post surgery, I had my surgical follow-up. The doctor was extremely pleased with my progress. I have a second follow-up on 25 March so that he can determine how my calcium intake should change.
Right now, I am eating a 1,000 mg tums(that's, 1,000 mgs of calcium) every four hours each day, and once during the night. This is to artificially inflate my calcium levels in order to address any lingering bone hunger issues. Once I meet with the doctor again, we will likely decide to place me on regular calcium supplements from that point forward.
All other meds remain the same as the pre-surgical regimen.
Also during that first follow-up, the surgeon gave me the post-operative pathology report on the three parathyroid glands. Here's a basic breakdown:
"Surgical Pathology Report
Specimens Submitted As: A) Left Inferior Parathyroid B) Right Inferior Parathyroid
C) Right Superior Parathyroid Pre-Op Diagnosis: Secondary Parathyroidism of Renal Origin
Final Diagnosis
A) Left Inferior Parathyroid [via] Parathyroidectomy: Hypercellular Parathyroid Tissue. B) Right Inferior Parathyroid [via] Parathyroidectomy: Hypercellular Parathyroid Tissue. C) Right Superior Parathyroid [via] Parathyroidectomy: Hypercellular Parathyroid Tissue
Intraoperative Consultation, Frozen Section Diagnosis
FSA1: Hypercellular Parathyroid Tissue
FSB1: Parathyroid Tissue Present
FSC1: Hypercellular Parathyroid Tissue
Gross Examination
A) Received labeled, Left Inferior Parathyroid is 520 mg, 1.8 x 1 x 0.7 cm tan, soft tissue nodule bisected and submitted frozen as FSA1.
B) Received labeled, Right Inferior Parathyroid is 148 mg, 1 x 0.8 x 0.4 cm tan, soft tissue nodule submitted frozen as FSB1.
C) Received labeled, Right Superior Parathyroid is 252 mg, 1.2 x 1 x 0.4 cm tan, soft tissue nodule submitted frozen as FSC1.
Microscopic Examination
Permanent sections confirm frozen section diagnoses."
...and one last bit of actual medical info from the surgery...
"Pre-op PTH, Intact
Date: 20 Feb 19 Time: 12.33 Final: 229
Post-Op PTH, Intact
Date: 20 Feb 19 Time: 16.15 Final: 48"
*The post-op PTH I stated earlier was later in the evening. The number just above was approximately six minutes after the affected parathyroid glands were removed.
Regarding other areas post-op, I am eating normally; my fluid intake remains the same as before the surgery (3-4 L each day); my sleep is inconsistent as per usual following any hospital stay; my headaches have been elevated due to yet another intubation [for the surgery]; I am less active, though this changes a little each day as I continue to heal, and my weight has been fairly consistent from day to day.
Again, with the PTH levels now normal, and the blood calcium now being about where it should be, I am looking to see increased strength and stamina. Now, I know I have a REALLY long road of recovery ahead, but with Spring nearly upon us, I should be able to get out walking again, slowing building my leg strength; which I am very much looking forward to happening!
So...THAT is all I am willing to type up right now. I am already a day late getting this posted because of all the info I had to pass along.
I have my next labs and Belatacept Infusion on the 19th. I will hopefully get another entry done before then.
I want to Thank Everyone for your thoughts and prayers during the time of my surgery!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
07 March 19
*After reading through previous entries regarding the whole Parathyroid thing, I neglected to mention an important bit of information that will help to place the size of the now removed Parathyroid glands , into a better perspective.
Each Parathyroid gland is about the size of a grain of rice, and weighs approximately 40 mg. So, comparing that to the size the glands were upon removal (as stated above) helps you to understand just how enlarged they had become, and why they had to be removed.
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