Jeff's Journal

One Month

Yesterday was one month with the new kidney. I celebrated by going to the hospital for more tests. It was the usual encounter with the medical vampires. After a while a little blood begins to add up and by the end of the day, I just want to be done with it and be home. The results report kidney function is holding in the normal range. It is unusual to watch the white blood cell count fall. The instructions about cautious living increase as those levels decrease.

The devil drug that gives me a migraine is being reduced. However, I found out I will be on that drug for as long as the kidney functions. It will be another six weeks before it is tapered down to a maintenance level. The good thing is I am at a level where I don’t have to wear the mask and I’ve been advised to start walking for some exercise. Crowds are still out of the question.

The transplant team has decided it is time to remove the dialysis access. There is enough confidence in the kidney that this chapter of dialysis is in the rear view mirror. Monday is pre-op day at the hospital and Tuesday is surgery to remove the catheters out of my chest. Because the catheters go into my heart, I have not been able to get them wet. I look forward to a long, hot shower Wednesday morning.

What a month it has been.

posted by Jeff Waldo @ 9:46 AM