10/20/2009

I wish Amy would email me those high school pictures!

10/20/2009

Everything worked itself out yesterday. I spent way too much time worrying about whether I developed the type of infection that would stop me from getting my kidneys removed early Friday morning. After speaking with several doctors and getting my dialysis catheter, in my chest, removed I feel assured that the surgery will occur on Friday. It feels so nice to not have chords hanging from my chest. And I got the date for transplant finalized. Monday November 16 is the big day. I'll finally be able to eat and drink normal foods. The three weeks leading up to transplant will be had though. I'll only be allowed to consume four cups (32 oz.) of fluid per day.

10/19/2009

I started dialysis at 6:00 this morning. Way too much stuff to talk about at this time. Talk to doctor, then another doctor, and then the first one again. Then I had an appointment with a third medical professional, and he called the first. The first talked with dialysis people. I have another appointment at 2:00. CRAZY.

10/18/2009

I wonder how my relatively new friend Eric, that I have never seen conscious, is doing today? I also am curious to find out how his Dad is doing. Like my Dad a few years ago he had open heart surgery, and I think John was having a rough time of it coping with Eric's accident. At least that is what his wife Marie told me. I hope Amy will call me and let me know the condition of them, but then again why would I believe Amy (LOL:-). People start to make stuff up and believe the falsehoods to be truths when they reach such a ripe old age. Ha, she is so senile that it is not even funny!

10/17/2009

On second thought that picture is real... I grew antlers, and I was trying to pull them off.

10/17/2009

Last night I listened to the Delphos St. Johns vs. Coldwater football game (the top ranked teams in the state D6 & D5 respectively.) My what a game it was as Delphos scored with ten seconds left to break the tie. The Blue Jays play St. Henry next week, and I was going to attend the game. Getting started on getting a new kidney is more important, and like the Bengals game I will miss the Blue Jays vs. Redskins game!
I am going to play cards (solo) tonight so that will be fun.
The picture at top displays me being silly when I was in high school. I would like to see a picture of my friend Amy when she was in high school. I think they had just invented cameras back then. She'll need to remove the dust and cobwebs first!

10/16/2009

It was confirmed to me late Thursday afternoon that my kidney removal surgery will occur next Friday, October 23. I am disappointed slightly no it is a major disappointment. Originally (per my discussion with the doctor) I was led to believe that it could be as early as late this week or early the next. That is not the case. Why am I so distraught? Four days later is really not that big of deal, right. Four days later means the transplant will be four days later yet (in about three weeks from removal. That means more dialysis, and I am definitely not the least bit fond of that! That means I have to follow this stupid restrictive diet that much longer. I guess I should feel fortunate that the ball is rolling, and grateful that my problem is capable of being solved.
They are going to have to cut me open instead of a laproscopic procedure, because I have too much scar tissue in my abdominal area from my car wreck, nearly twelve years ago. It will probably be painful. Laparoscopic surgery also referred to as minimally invasive surgery describes the performance of surgical procedures with the assistance of a video camera and several thin instruments.

10/15/2009

Okay so the doctor said I may have my kidneys removed as early as this Friday or maybe Monday. Ashley came there to ensure things went on time. I was elated to see her beautiful self at a time where I did not recognize too many people. Three weeks after that I get a new kidney.
Amy if you are reading this please know that I still relive that terrifying auto ride I had with you to and from Buffalo Wild Wings. i nearly lost my life twice when your failing eyesight mixed with your aging (slow) reaction times. Thanks though, it was enjoyable. I hope Eric is doing well.

10/14/2009

I have a doctors appointment with the surgeon who will remove my kidneys prior to the transplant. Why can they not do that procedure at the same time as my transplant, instead of three weeks before? All question I will seek answers to from the doctor today!

10/13/2009

I went to the eye doctor in Glandorf before dialysis, and he referred me to a specialist in Lima. I had dialysis so we could not get to Lima until later in the afternoon. I think my eye was just scratched really bad. I still have drops, but I am only supposed to use them four times a day. He a;so smoothed out the gouge and inserted a clear contact to ease the pain when I open or close my eye. Everything through my left eye is blurry, but hopefully that will soon get better.

10/12/2009

Right this second I am supposed to be asleep, but my eye is causing pain and it is nearly impossible to rest. I have an eye doctor appointment at 9:15 this morning, and I am worried about what may need done. Don't get me wrong here. The actual problem with my eye worries me not, but potential appointments that need to be made to fix it terrify me! And no, I am not contemplating unforeseen pain. That is no consideration of me, because I have been through so many medical treatments or surgeries already that new treatments do not scare me. However, the timing of my eye mishap is horrible. Wednesday of this week I am supposed to meet with a doctor to figure out when would be a good time to remove my two bad kidneys. That is important, because supposedly the transplant from my cousin will happen exactly three weeks post removal. I am scared that my eye inadequacies will postpone my kidney transplant. I have sort of been able to tolerate this dialysis crap for the last four months, because I was hopeful that it would soon end. Now we are finally nearing the date and I am just worried that this will prevent the process from occurring on time (even though it does not have a specific date yet.) Maybe all my concerns are for nothing, but as said earlier I spend too much time thinking. Hopefully everything will be fixed tomorrow. I hate not having a properly functioning kidney! It is not wise to hate, but I detest my current renal diet!!!

10/11/2009

The Cincinnati Bengals pulled another one out in the closing minute of the game. The Browns won their game in ugly fashion.
I can't wait to hear what the surgeon says Wednesday, as I have a doctor's appointment in Cincinnati that afternoon. Dialysis is still dreaded by me three days per week, and hopefully that will be coming to an end real soon.

10/10/2009

I watched the Buckeyes fame in Findlay today, and my loeft eye hurts.

10/9/2009

Dialysis was extra lackluster today, but the volunheer came around conversing with us as we were on the machine. That made time move a little faster, relatively. Its raining, but that won't stop the football game. Go Dogs!!!

10/8/2009

Went to the eye doctor today, and he prescribed some different drops. I have another appointment before dialysis tomorrow morning. Dialysis is still something I do not anticipate for it is a boring four hours three times per week, but I am grateful that modern medical technology has a way to facilitate my kidney troubles. I really am not looking forward to having no kidneys for three weeks before my transplant. However ,my current kidneys (that don't work efficiently) are are leaking protein and need to be removed prior to transplant. I guess doctors are afraid of impacting the new kidney if they leave the old ones in there.
Columbus Grove high school football team is playing Delphos Jefferson at home tomorrow night, and I will likely go with Dad. The Bulldogs, after beating Bishop Hartley last week, are in line to qualify for playoffs if they beat Jefferson.

10/7/2009

Immediately after dialysis today I went to Dr. Musser. He is an optometrist, and I had fragments of something in my eye. He took them out, but my eye was scratched. It still hurts when I blink or close my eyelids. I have prescription drops, and it will feel better when it heals.

10/6/2009

After volunteering at the hospital today I have a K of C meeting. Likely I will play cards, but it cannot be a late night, as we are leaving at 4:00 for my Dr. appointment in Cincinnati tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

10/5/2009

Good news and Bad news. First the good. My cousin passed his physical and is able to donate a kidney. However... I learned also today that my kidneys are no good and they will have to be removed before I get a new one. That will delay the date in which I recieve a transplant. The removal is done three weeks prior to the transplant, and that leaves enough healing time so things are not so invasive on my body.

10/4/2009

Last night was very enjoyable, and even though my bowling scores were lackluster I still had a blast. The Buckeyes won as well only adding to the enjoyment. Today I am going to watch the Bengals defeat the Browns. No not in person... it's not until October 25 that I'll see the Bengals live and in person at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Even that is speculative, because hopefully I will be having a kidney transplant and be in the hospital by then.

10/3/2009

I am going to have loads of fun tonight. Why would hanging out with my dad an several of his co-workers be so much fun you ask? It will really be more the activity we are doing than companionship. There is a party at Westgate Lanes in Lima tonight. I am not an adequate bowler to say the least, but it never fails that attempting to knock down pins is exciting.

10/2/2009

It is the second day of October, and it is also Friday. This day is significant for different reasons. Top on my list is that it is hopefully one day closer to a kidney transplant. I guess whether my cousin passes all remaining tests and is approved as my donor or not does not really matter when determining if I am one day closer to a transplant. But if my cousin is the organ donor it will only be around three weeks until I have a new kidney. I am so elated I will post this picture from the Relay for Life's Newspaper fashion show. Or maybe not... I chickened out, but if you look closely at this picture you will see my sister and I as youngsters. That was before I showed signs of genetic renal failure.

10/1/2009

It is a waiting game now to see if my cousin still matches and see what comes next... I am not gifted with that much patience, but I've waited for things before. Medical waits seem to take forever.