I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: kellyt on June 03, 2008, 04:39:07 PM

Title: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: kellyt on June 03, 2008, 04:39:07 PM
This is a repost, but no one has answered my last post and I'm really nervous.

As you may or may not know my husband just finished his live donor testing.  The coordinator told him today that they want him to do another 24-hr urine this weekend, as they found a 1 mm "build up of something" in each kidney.  Possibly calcium, but not sure.  If it's NOT calcium he'll be submitted to the committee on the 11th and accepted, as all other testing was "perfect".

My question:  What are the odds it's not calcium?  What else could it be?  Again 1 mm "something" - one in each kidney.  Anyone else go through this?


HELP!  I'm losing my mind!!!!!!  If they deny him I think I'm going to put the live donor testing on hold.  This is just too much for me to take.
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: thegrammalady on June 03, 2008, 04:44:05 PM
i have absolutely no idea, but i've got my fingers crossed for you.  let us know what they find.
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: Rerun on June 03, 2008, 04:46:40 PM
Just stay calm.  They want to keep you both safe. 
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: okarol on June 03, 2008, 05:30:30 PM

Try posting your question on Living Donors Online http://www.livingdonorsonline.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi
maybe someone has had a similar experience.
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: okarol on June 03, 2008, 05:34:24 PM

I think calcium can mean kidney stones. They used to rule out patients with stones, but many hospitals (such as Mayo) are open to donors with kidney stones.
Hang in there and hopefully everything will work out.
 :cuddle;
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: kellyt on June 03, 2008, 07:11:56 PM
Yes.  Kidney stones is the only thing I can find regarding "build-up" in the kidneys.   I guess what I'm looking for is for someone to say "It could be X, Y or Z".

She told him to drink alot of water, because if it is the beginning of a kidney stone and it's not "attached" then it can be flushed out.  Apparently, that's what happens to most calcium build-up in the kidneys.  It's when they don't get flushed out that they become a problem.

But 1 mm, one in each kidney.  What are the odds of kidney stones developing at the exact same rate in both kidneys?
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: twirl on June 04, 2008, 01:09:54 PM
wish I could help you
but I know nothing about this post
just, please know, I am thinking about you
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: Bailey on June 04, 2008, 01:54:40 PM
I have had calcium kidney stones for years that are stuck in my kidneys.  If they are not traveling then they don't hurt and don't cause problems have a urinologist write a letter stating that they are not growing over time and the transplant team should accept it. Sensipar will help with calcium but may cause nausea. good luck with the transplant team as your husband gets closer to transplant the crazier and demanding they can become.
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: Psim on June 05, 2008, 11:03:53 AM
Wish I had info for you, but all i have is good wishes...
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: 2_DallasCowboys on June 05, 2008, 11:15:58 AM
So sorry I cannot be of any help to you,
but please know I am sending you good luck,
and good thoughts!

Anne
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: G on June 05, 2008, 01:44:50 PM
Hi Kelly,
First..as hard as it may sound...calm yourself! There will come a day that you will look back on this situation and know that the worry didn't help you or your husband. Just the facts mam. I agree with the other posts that they are probably kidney stones. This coordinator you spoke of should be a good resource to answer any and all questions. That is their job! They should also have a socail worker available if only to vent on. Use em and abuse em I always say! :boxing; Stay strong Kelly. Your husbands a lucky man!
G
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: kellyt on June 05, 2008, 02:08:11 PM
:grouphug;  Thanks G.  ( oohh, I sound so hip  ;))    I really appreciate it.  I appreciate everyone's responses.
Here is a repost of what I posted the other day on my "Coming in with a weight of..."  post.


I spoke with my coordinator today and I feel a little (just a little) better about the test.  Apparently she took the CT scan to the doctor that saw my husband in the hospital during his testing and said "Please tell me this doesn't rule him out to donate".  The doctor went back and forth and finally said "Let's do another 24-hr urine and see what these are".   I asked why another 24-hr urine and not CT scan.  Apparently, he might also have to do another CT scan as well.   So as far as an answer we're "on the fence", but we're no closer to NO than we are to YES.  Does that make sense?

She said that sometimes people get "pimple cysts" in the kidneys that don't effect donation or transplant in any way.  The fact that he normally drinks a lot of water is good.

Bottom line, I have to wait patiently until Monday.  Once I take the sample back to them Monday morning they'll send it over to the lab immediately.  They'll call me and let me know if they are sending him to the committee on Wednesday.      Positive thoughts!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

The part about all this that makes me laugh is that I am calm.  I guess it just doesn't come off as calm in my typing.  I mean, I have questions - lots of questions -, but other than that I'm good.  I'm stressed, but it's a calm stress.   :)   I detest the fact that I might have to start dialysis in a month or two.  And I detest even more that I might be on it for a long time (until I get "the call").  It's maddening, but I'm good.  It's the not knowing that is the most frustrating part.  I can deal with whatever life throws at me - God knows I've got a lot on my plate now.  I say to myself all the time "It's too much".  Then I come to this website and see the struggles of others and I think mine are not so bad.

I shudder to think what state I'd be in if I'd never found IHD.  Seriously.      :grouphug;
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: monrein on June 05, 2008, 03:12:54 PM
I'm glad you found IHD too. :grouphug;
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: paris on June 05, 2008, 04:42:23 PM
Me too, Kelly.  I would be a crying fool all the time.   You know how much I want this to be your time for a transplant.    :cuddle;    No matter what, you are going to worry until you know the results.  Try to relax in between the worries!  Think about calm, blue oceans with lots of playful dolphins swimming around you :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: Roxy on June 06, 2008, 01:01:10 AM
Hey Kelly don't worry too much. I guess also as people age cysts grow on kidneys, because my mom was my donor and she had 2 cysts on the kidney that was donated to me. They simply removed both of them during the transplant.
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: angellady07 on June 06, 2008, 01:43:30 AM
Kelly, I hope you receive good news. Prayers are with you. :cuddle;
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: Mimi on June 07, 2008, 10:02:10 PM
Kelly, saying a prayer for you and your husband.  Try not to worry sweetie, it all comes out for the best in the end.

Love, Mimi
Title: Re: What are the odds it's not Calcium?
Post by: G on June 08, 2008, 09:06:50 AM
Kelly your heads in the right place. All your thoughts sound so familiar. My termoil is nothing compared to my wife and four children (17 to 8). They could teach us all a lesson about "not knowing" and from what I've witnessed: strength of character.  Stay strong,
G