The Road to Recovery

Well, today is Wednesday, and it's already been a busy week. I had an appointment with my nephrologist on Monday, a follow-up with the surgeon that put in my AV Fistula yesterday, and an appointment with my boss this morning. I think everything is going well, so far.

They ran blood work at the nephrologist's office, and my creatinine is down to 5.1, which is just amazing considering that I just lost a kidney. Now, normal is still around 1.0, but I did not expect to be down to 5.1 this quickly. My hemoglobin count is 12.3, which means that I am still slightly anemic. But, the anemia is not nearly as much of a lifestyle problem as the low kidney function is.

The fistula surgeon took a detailed look at my arm yesterday. He said the the fistula is developing well and should continue to do so as long as I keep taking care of it. It takes a fistula about 6 to 8 weeks to mature to the point where it can be used for dialysis access. All my doctors hope that I can hold out for dialysis until this fistula is developed. That way, they will not have to do an additional surgery to put a temporary access into my chest (above the heart). The fistula should be ready (at the earliest) by the end of July.

I also went in and talked to my boss at work today. Now, I have been off of work (on disability) for a month now. He has been very supportive and even came to see me in the hospital a couple of times. He said that he does not want me to rush back in to work, and that I should ask my nephrologist about when I can come back to work. I see the nephrologist again on July 6. The company is doing a good job of looking out for me and they are saving me a position that I can ease back into as soon as I am ready to come to work.

My prayer requests are as follows:

• Pray that my remaining kidney will continue to heal!
• Pray that the fistual will develop properly for the day that it will be needed
• Pray for Jenny (my wife) as she is taking care of me

Good Reports from the Neurologist

I had an appointment with my neurologist today. This was a follow-up appointment from the minor stroke that I had back on February 22, 2005. I recovered from that stroke in about a week, with no left over problems. However, I did have to start taking a blood thinner and a statin to help lower my cholesterol. The doctor did not have a reason for my stroke, but they figured that they might as well give me those medications just to be safe. The neurologist told me today that I am doing well and that she didn't see any more problems. I am now supposed to take some vitamin supplements to help lower my homocystine levels.

I am doing well today, I think. I still feel pretty weak and am not eating as much as I should, which is probably not great. Back in May, I weighed 165 pounds. Now, I am doing well to make the scale hit 150. Now, not all of that is the 15-pound kidney, I also lost a lot of weight due to not eating. Hopefully, that won't be a problem and I'll be able to gain back some of that weight.

Thanks for reading and for your continued prayers.

Visiting the Surgeon

I had an appointment with the kidney surgeon today. He removed the staples from my abdominal scar and taped it up. I had 27 staples in all. He said that the tape will be on the scar for the next few days and that I am okay to shower and let it fall off. He also said that I have healed remarkable well, and I do not have to come and see him for three more months.

I am slowly recovering (physically) and I am actually starting to feel better again. I am able to eat a little bit more food every day (which is nice). My wife and I are trying to take a short walk every night to help me get some strength back up, since I was just basically laying around in the hospital for the last two weeks.

I have heard many, many friends tell me that they are praying for me. Also, my family has told me that they have shared my story with their friends, and that there are several churches all over the country that have me on their prayer list.

If you are praying for me at this time, please continue to pray for:

1. healing (both physical and emotional)
2. that my remaining kidney to continue to work well enough to keep him off of dialysis
3. if my right kidney continues to fail, I will be able to get a transplant