Post-Transplant Update: 06 June 2019

To start, today is June 6th, the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day assault on the beaches of Normandy, France. Every year, I always take a few minutes to reflect on those who fought so bravely against terrible odds; especially thinking of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on that bloody day. I am thankful for those brave men of our Greatest Generation, and for all of the horrors and hardships they had to endure so that we all could continue to enjoy the freedoms we are all blessed so richly with.


Now, I waited an extra week for this entry for two reasons. 1) Last week was pretty uneventful.  2) I had my latest visit with my local nephrologist yesterday and want to report on that.

To start, a quick recap of last week...

Once our cold, wet weather snap ended, I went on a couple of short walks. Both were slower than normal. Here's why... Last Wednesday, while working on dinner, I turned to my left and felt (and heard) a ligament on the outside of my L foot pop. Aside from pivoting on my foot, there was nothing that forced that ligament to do this. I've had this happen before, so normally it would be no big deal, aside from some discomfort when walking. However, in the past, I would always wear shoes which would keep that ligament in line, and the foot would heal in a couple of weeks.
Unfortunately, with the neuropathy in my feet, I am not wearing shoes hardly at all, so the ligament is very slow to heal, and I seemingly constantly aggravate the injury. 
So...fun times there.  :o(
Anyhow, when I do go out on my walks, I wear my New Balance shoes, and just put up with the neuropathic pain and burning. At least the shoes help me to walk with reduced pain, even if my little circuit goes slower than normal. 

Also, my weight has been bouncing around between 124.8 Kg and 125.6 Kg. I continue to hope that the downward vacillation is still proceeding, and am doing what I can to help this along in a healthy manner.

Ok, now, yesterday's appointment.

Unfortunately, this was my last visit with my nephrologist. He has accepted a position doing renal research in another State, something he really enjoys. Because of his earlier announcement [regarding his upcoming move], I have already lined up a new nephrologist who is associated with the private practice of one of the Kidney Clinic physicians, and came highly recommended. I have my first appointment with him next week.

Now, back to yesterday.
The doctor is pleased with my ongoing recovery, and agrees with me on the very long-term recovery that lies ahead. He is confident that I will receive great care from the new nephrologist whom he has heard great things about.

My BP, Pulse and Respiratory Rate are all in good shape. Though my weight is higher than expected, there is no concern about it, as yet. He is pleased with my progress on daily activity, as well as with my efforts to strengthen my legs via my walking. He made no changes to any meds, and will send my records to the new doctor this week. As he put it, "Your new doctor will have an eye-opening time reading about your odyssey; not your typical dialysis or post-transplant recovery." We both chuckled at that comment!

I also learned something new that helps my brain settle down a bit. 

When discussing my recent Blood Pressure trends, he stated, "The higher BP is OK due to the slight stenosis you developed from the renal artery occlusion after your transplant. Your kidney needs a higher BP to offset the damage to the arterial wall so that adequate renal perfusion occurs." He then explained that, when taking my BP readings [twice each day], I should record the accurate number, but mentally deduct about ten points from the systolic reading to get a good approximation of where my BP would be with two healthy kidneys.
This was terrific information!

I also stated that my TMD headaches were diminishing, and relayed the info I wrote here about my T3 usage from late April to late May. Plus, I recently did a pill count of my latest T3 Rx, and after 11 days (at that time), my daily usage was at 2.36 pills per day!
Further, that I was beginning to use Excedrin more and more before using a T3 because the Excedrin was finally starting to be effective all by itself. My doctor was very happy about this news!

And on that front, aside from days that I awake with a TMD headache (like today!), I have recently been taking one or two T3's each day. That's it!  My efforts at minimizing the TMD are starting to bear fruit!  I am under no illusion whatsoever that there won't be times that the headaches come roaring back with a vengeance--because they most certainly will, as demonstrated by my 15 year effort to control the headaches--but at least I am seeing (or at least glimpsing) the light at the end of this incredibly long, painful tunnel.

And that's all I've got for today!

Next week, all on the same day, I have my monthly labs, Belatacept infusion and the first appointment with my new nephrologist. I will be sure to get everything written up.

So, until next Wednesday, or thereabouts...

Good Health to All!

ScottW