I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Transplant Discussion => Topic started by: petey on September 08, 2008, 05:27:21 PM
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willieandwinnie...
how did Len's check-up go today? I'm waiting to hear from you.
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:cuddle; petey. I was going to post last night but we were so tired. Long, long day. We were up at 5 and gone before 8. The trip up to DC was actually kind of pleasant for a change. We got to the hospital about an half hour early and the receptionist told us that our normal transplant coordinator was with the doctor because they had problems with a patient. Well, God smiled on us and we got Emma, we told her we had another appointment after them so she handed Len a urine cup and said we'd draw he's labs instead of him waiting at the outpatient lab center for over an hour. She lets me draw from his graft which he just loves. She went over his medications and the antibiotic that Dr. Gill put Len on for the horrible cold he had. She said it was great that he is so attentive to Len's health. They also stopped his Valycte, he was on it a year, one less pill. After we were done with the coordinator, we met with the Transplant Social Worker (I'm normally not crazy about Social Workers for many reasons) but she is the same one Len had right after his transplant, and she is great. We ask her about his Social Security disability and being afraid they would stop it. She went and got his paperwork and said that since Len was dual eligible (other health issues), that he will continue to receive it. You could tell by the look on Len's face that hearing that was a great relief. She explained things very thoroughly and explained Medicare and Tricare For Life to us. We left her very happy. Our next stop was Dr. Paul (trauma surgeon), who operated on Len about 21 times to save his life. He had a waiting room full. Our 1:00 appointment didn't happen until 2:30. We talked about Len's progress for about 15 minutes and I told him about the pain in the lower belly and groin area and all the test all his doctors have performed. Dr. Paul examined Len, he read Len's file from other doctors and test results and said the pain is coming from the super sized kidney he received. Dr. Paul asked Len about what relieved the pain and explained why it is happening. I swear I love that man. Dr. Paul had said for a long time that he didn't want Len to fly with all the bowel surgeries he had, so we ask again and he said that Len could fly short distances. Yeah!!!!!! Dr. Paul is going to talk to the GI and transplant doctor and we are suppose to call him before we make any flying arrangements. Hell, we can do that. Our final stop was to the Veterans Hospital that is within walking distance from Washington Hopsital Center. Len receives VA disability (service related) and Len has been worried about them stopping his disability. We talk to a Veterans Service Officer and he said that Len will continue to receive his benefits. Oh, thank you God. Len has been so worried about trying to go back to work at 60 and being so tired all the time. We had a very productive day. The trip home was horrible. Bad accident that we were just stuck in for an hour and rush hour to boot. We were so glad to get home and we both thought we'd sleep like the dead, but didn't. Still felt like we were in the car moving. Today, I have done NOTHING....... The transplant coordinator just faxed me Len's labs a few minutes ago. We are so happy and tomorrow we are going to sit down and try to make some plans. One of them is to go to North Carolina and meet Marsha and Marvin and see about flying to Texas to see our aging friends that can't travel anymore.
Len's numbers from yesterday. Creatinine 0.09 - BUN 15 - Total Protein 7.5 - Albumin 4.4 - Calclum 10.3 - WBC 8.35 - Prograf 5.4 and No protein in urine. These are the best labs that Len has had in almost 8 years. I am so relieved... We have been told that whatever we are doing to keep it up.
Sorry this is so long winded. I just had to tell you. petey, were you an angel in a past time? :cuddle;
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That's a great report WAW - I am so happy I could cry!
:yahoo;
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:yahoo; so excited, such good news
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Great news, willieandwinnie!!! You made my day, and I feel happy all over!
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What a great day! Sounds like you got lots of good news. It is about time and now I hope Len can stop worrying about disability coverage. The stress can be overwhelming. You have certainly taken such wonderful care of Len, and been his best advocate. Give him hugs from us :grouphug;
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Cutting the Valcyte will make a big difference. It takes time but Len is getting there! I hope thing continue to improve. :2thumbsup;
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:thumbup; Glad to hear things are going well.
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Great checkup and that's always good news. :cuddle;
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Sounds like a productive and happy day! So glad things are going well. Keep up the good work! :clap;
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kiss W&W for me and shake Len's hand :beer1;
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So happy for the both of you!
His labs are great, and can imagine what
a big sigh of relief you both let out after
talking to the social worker!
Anne
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twirl, how about I shake Willie and Winnie's paws and kiss Len. Sounds like more fun for me........
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:rofl;
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Great news..I am so happy for you.
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twirl, how about I shake Willie and Winnie's paws and kiss Len. Sounds like more fun for me........
Oh, what the heck, willieandwinnie! Give all three of them a great big kiss (Len first, of course) -- and don't forget about Mouse!
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I am still catching up after my two weeks away...
Kisses and hugs from me for all! :-* :cuddle;
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:bandance; :bandance; :cheer:
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:thx; I don't know what I would do without all of you. This has been a long trip for us and having all of you for information and support has made it easier for me to take the best care of Len. :cuddle;
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I think about all the challenges you faced and it's such a joy to see how far you've come!
Best wishes to you both! :yahoo;
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:thumbup; Len went to Washington Hospital Center for his 18 month checkup. His creatinine was .07 but his potassium was on the low side. The transplant coordinator hadn't gotten his prograf level back when we left so she said she would call us. I did learn something very interesting through the attending Neph, he said that sometimes the Vegus nerve can get cut or nicked during transplant and that it can cause lots of GI problems. I had never heard of that before so I am going to do some research. Len and I are both exhausted from the trip yesterday, so he is laying down but unfortunately I had to go get grocery's so I'll relax when I get done putting stuff away. Len has to go back to see transplant folks in Sept for his 2 year and then she said they would see him once a year. :yahoo; for that. We had a foot of snow 1 week ago on the ground and today it is 75 and breezy out. I think I'll go out on the deck and chill with the paper. I am truly blessed to have found this group. :cuddle;
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:yahoo;
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:flower;
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:flower;