However, the best way to sum up why it has taken so long for this entry can be summed up in three words:
Complete
Utter
Exhaustion
In the past three weeks, I have worked out a total of twice, and have done little aside from cooking and some cleaning. Besides that, I have been sleeping and taking long naps...a lot.
My latest labs...
30 Mar 21 Labs:
*Creat: 3.16 (-0.29!)
*HCT: 32.8 (-0.1) Low
*Hemo: 10.5 (-0.1) IR
*Lymph: Unavailable
*Lymph ABS: Unavailable
*RBC: 3.59 (-0.08) Extremely Low
*WBC: 8.0 (+0.5) IR
*BUN: 44 (-5) Extremely High
*CA: 9.8 (+0.4) IR
*GFR: 21 (+3!) Extremely Low
*Gluc: 111
*K+: 4.1 (+0.2) IR
*NA+: 137 (-3) IR
*MG: Unavailable
*Phos: 4.21 (+0.5) IR
NC= No Change IR= In Range
The Creatinine took a surprise dive, altering both the BUN and GFR more towards normal. I have no idea why this value dropped; but I'll take it!
The Red Blood Cells continue to decline, and, another lab value not noted here called Transferrin, was just above the bottom of its Normal Range. The best and briefest explanation I can find for this is as follows:
"Transferrin
[ˌtran(t)sˈferən]
NOUN
biochemistry
A protein of the beta globulin group which binds and transports iron in blood serum."
While I only have a very rudimentary grasp of this protein, it essentially carries the iron needed for RBC production in the bone marrow. A very low Transferrin level means that, despite my Iron being in mid-range, not enough is reaching the bone marrow, thereby decreasing my overall RBC production, leading to less oxygen saturation in the blood; which is why I have been so exhausted.
I am not yet aware of anything that can be done (if anything at all), and have not yet found any good research online as most articles are about high Transferrin, and not low levels. I will keep looking.
So, at least I understand why the exhaustion was taking over everything.
My headaches have been is check...somewhat. I usually do fine during the day, with headaches kicking in during the evening hours. This is most likely happening because of a day-long build-up of muscular tension in my R jaw. Aside from my normal pain control meds, I haven't needed anything stronger in at least a month.
Because of my profound lack of energy, I have not hardly been exercising (as noted above). And because of that, my metabolism has slowed a bit, and my weight has been stagnant and hanging around 114.8 Kg, plus or minus half a Kg.
At least I haven't gained any of that lost weight again!
I had my April infusion of Belatacept on the 13th. As per usual, no untoward side effects happened.
The acupuncture continues to provide results for my feet. I've had several nerves at the base of four different toes wake up--which are always painful when they do. Plus, I just noticed yesterday that the tops of both feet are feeling a bit leathery, for lack of a better descriptor. I think that I've previously explained it like this: Whenever you get a big blister on your foot, and it then pops or weeps out, and you wear shoes over that blister, you have that rubbing sensation because the loose upper layers above the blister site are now rubbing on the lower part on the foot itself. THAT is the sensation I have been feeling on the tops of both feet, from the base of the toes to about halfway towards the heels.
So, that's all I have for now because it is late, and my brain is turning to mush.
I will try to get another entry done soon.
I am planning on getting my first dose of the Wuhan Virus inoculation on my Kidney-versary, 04 May. As per the Kidney Clinic recommendation, I will be getting the Pfizer version. The second dose for this particular version will be three weeks later.
Good Heath to All!
ScottW
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