Todays Appointment

Steve had an appointment today with Dr. Brown. She made some slight changes. Increased one blood pressure medicine, his pressure is still a little high. Any time he eats dairy products he talks a pill to help get rid of phosphorous and she increased this 2 twice a day. Still limited on fluid intake (1 1/2 quart per day) and no salt. So don't ask him to got out for drinks. The potassium was barely in range but as long as it is in she won't complain too much about that. His hemoglobin was 11.2 right where she wants it. The 2 shots that he has taken has got that back where it needs to be so she has decided to have him get the injection once every 3 weeks instead of every 2. His GFR (clearance or kidney function) is now 10% dropped down from 11%. He now technically qualifies for dialysis but as long as he still feels pretty good she will let him keep going. If he gets nausea, vomiting, itching, swelling, short of breath, forgetful (already there) he will need to start dialysis. These are some of the more critical signs of kidney failure. Most important if he has chest pains he needs to call and get started. Kidney failure is hard on your heart. She said his fistula in his arm looks great. The nurse said today it sounds like the ocean when you listen through the stethoscope. What do you need sea shells for when he can stick his arm under your pillow and makes you think your sleeping on the beach, ha!

She does want him to start thinking about a time when he can do the surgery. She said October, he said November, she said ok November he said December. She did agree as long as he feels ok no rush but she does want him to start thinking about it. We have an appointment in Sept. at KU to have another ultrasound on his kidney and we suspect they will be pressing him pretty hard to commit to a time to have the kidney out. He said I am keeping this thing as long as I can as long as the test keep coming back good. We talked again today about home dialysis and sounds like Dr. Brown thinks this will be really good for him once we get the training and get use to it.

You may not here from us for a week or so, Blair is getting ready to start softball.

Take care and pray. Thank you everyone for all the prays and support. Great family, great friends makes for a pretty good life.
Steve, Christy & Blair