Adventures

Well, I have not checked in here for a long while and I was going along doing my thing for awhile and then...
I had a bowel blockage in a hernia under my belly button and as of Dec 16th 2017 I got sick to my stomach and it only got worse from there! I checked into Bracebridge hospital on the 18th (not by choice but I had to because I was very sick) and I was instructed to bring my cycler in there and do my dialysis there until Orillia could get me transferred. On the 19th I was given a tube in my nose to help suck out the stuff in my belly and help stop the puking all day. Unfortunately the tube bothered me and I still puked a time or two (excessive yuck in my belly :( ) Then on the 20th I was transferred to Orillia hospital . That evening I had emergency surgery to correct the hernia and blockage (they said they were going to take out my PD catheter and I would have to switch to Hemo dialysis) but when they did the surgery it was a simple problem and they did NOT remove the catheter after all. So I had staples in my  belly, a PD catheter still attached and then they installed a permanent access line for Hemo dialysis in my chest and sent me down for 3 hrs of dialysis. At this point I still had the tube in my nose and I still hadn't eaten anything ...I hadn't eaten anything but a few crackers since Sat the 16th. I can't remember if it was the 22nd or the 23 when they started giving me liquids and I had chicken broth, jello, and tea and the chicken broth tasted like heaven! (It was just standard chicken broth you know...hospital chicken broth...) but I hadn't eaten in a LONG time by then so it tasted pretty darn good!!
I think actually they started liquids on the 23 because in the night of the 22nd my nurse let me take the tube out of my nose and I had already had two 3 hr sessions of dialysis by then so having the tube out made me feel a hundred percent better!
So I was there until Xmas eve and I had another session of Dialysis and then they allowed me to go home for Xmas!! I was very weak and didn't do any of the things that I planned for Xmas but I was at HOME with my boys and couldn't have been happier to be anywhere else!
Even pop and Denise came by to see us and say hi!
Since then I have been going back and forth to Orillia for dialysis 3 times a week. I was waiting to be able to go to Huntsville which is closer but they had to know things were all good first before they could send me. My access line was NOT very good though and as of Jan 11, 2018 I had another surgery to replace it. Without checking it I started dialysis in Huntsville on Sat Jan 13, 2018 and...my line worked!! I have been going there Tues, Thurs and Sat every week and hopefully after I see the surgeon again in Feb. I will be able to go back on PD again.
In the meantime this is just a speed bump in the road (or if you like an adventure) and it too will pass!
After ALL of that I must just say that I am grateful to be here, alive and still kicking!!

Clinic

Well I am home from clinic and trying to digest the latest news.
I know that my kidneys are failing and it will be soon time to start dialysis but I really thought I would have more time. :(
I have dropped to 12% function and over the next 6 weeks will somehow have to get my head ready to handle the reality that I live in.
It's not easy.
I want to wait until hubby is off work to go through this but I don't know if I'm going to make it until then.
We will see.
Whatever will happen will happen. I am sure I can handle this and I'm gonna figure it out. It might be hard sometimes though and I'm sure the monthly appts to dialysis will get stressful but somehow I'm gonna find my way.
In the meantime I am trying to get my head ready!!

Clinic ~03/11/2014

Clinic appt. got some idea when my surgery will be...and most levels ok.

Clinic Appt.

Finally had my clinic appt. and discussed bloodwork. A few changes in meds because of a couple of levels slightly off and have been referred to surgeon for my catheter surgery...waiting for him to call with surgery date. Apparently yet again I have a UTI (which i'm guessing is actually infection from a burst cyst because I DIDN'T know at all!!) however, am taking some antibiotics to clear this up.
So it kind of explains the general unwellness I have been feeling for a week or so and hopefully will get back on track again by next week! ;)
Other than that BP good, potassium, phosphorous and sugars all reasonable. It was calcium a little off and made a couple slight changes to fix it.
Doing ok!

Clinic~09/19/2013

Regular check up.
Levels all good.
Sugars need a bit of work.
Need a little more exercise.
Making an appt on next clinic appt (Dec.) to have buried catheter put in so I'll be ready for dialysis.
Then IF I crash there will be no worries as I will be ready to dialyse immediately. ;)
NOT there yet!

Aranesp~07/04/2013

First shot of the new dosage and will see how it goes over the next few weeks.

Sept. next clinic appt.

Tues. diabetic Dr. appt.

Cinic

Clinic visit went well.
I am holding steady at 20% function.
Stopping Metformin (at this stage it will be harmful).
Starting sodium bicarbonate tablets.
Worrying about catheter in Sept. after metformin decrease and some time to see how it affects bloodwork.
So free summer! ;)
Keep up with diet and get some exercise and continue doing well. :)

Aranesp~06/13/3013

Another shot done and marking time to the next.

Clinic on Tues. this week and appt will be made for buried catheter to be put in...little bit nervous...dunno where I'll go to have it done..

Clinic

Ok...everybody is happy...sugars great, BP good, lost 10 pounds.
Appt in April to have education session about PD and HEMO and make the decision which is more appropriate for me. Doing very well right now though and hopeful can keep it up for awhile.
Saw Dr. Lam today...haven't seen him for awhile...still a joker lol but he's happy with all my levels. Go back in June...in meantime keep up the good work! ;)
Yayyyyyyyyy! RELIEF!

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #13

Have you made a Dr.appointment lately or had a visit? (Make one today!)
Why YES,I have!
Saw Dr. MacFadyen yesterday (diabetic Dr.)
and have a clinic visit also tomorrow! Busy health week!!

Stressing

Clinic tomorrow morning and as usual I'm worrying and stressing.
I'm not really thrilled with the idea of a fistula and it's the next thing on the list (on the advice of my diabetic nurse)...I don't know what to do, what to decide but I guess I'm going to need to have a chat with the Dr. about all of it. Bite the bullet again and face up to these things that I CANNOT avoid. :(