With love and gratitude

[paris]

I think month 3 was the turning point, month 4 I could feel such a difference and month 5 is great. Creatinine is back up a little: 1.68.  It went to 1.4 for one lab test but seems to like to hang out at around 1.6 to 1.7.  Magnesium low, but my hemoglobin is 11!!  I think I forgot it could be at that level!  Hasn't been near that number for as long as I can remember.  What a difference that makes.   I feel fortunate not to be on predisone. I think it has made things easier for me.  But instead of the munchies, I don't feel like eating and protein is just something I don't want to eat.  But, 2 weeks ago, I went shopping and to lunch with my 2 daughters and we spent the whole day out and about.  By 5pm, I realized I still felt good.  Haven't been able to do that with my girls for years.     My cup runneth over.

[galvo]

Great to hear.

[okarol]

  Yay paris - so glad you're doing well! 

[paris]

                6 months today!!!!!!     Thank you for all your support.  Life is good!!!!!!              

[willowtreewren]

Hooray, hooray.... and many more kidney-versaries to come!

Aleta

[okarol]

Wow! Six months - what a fabulous miracle!! 

[monrein]

Fabulous!   

[paris]

Labs in the morning.  My team still wants labs every two weeks.  I know they are being careful and I do what he tells me.  From the first day we are diagnosed, we live by our labs.  I never have been particularly afraid of the numbers.  They are just my guide to tell me what to do next.    Maybe the magnesium has finally gone up.  They lowered the dose because it was causing not so nice side effects and my body wasn't absorbing it.  The thought is, lower the dose and see if I absorb more if I can keep it in my system.   We shalll see.  Hope my favorite tech, Robert, is there tomorrow.   

[MooseMom]

What does low magnesium do to you?

You must still think this is all a dream.  What a miracle!  What a miracle!!

[paris]

Magnesium is important for your heart, muscles and kidney. 

My favorite tech wasn't there today.       The new tech gets the standing order and I give her the envelope from the transplant center tube in it.  She puts the tube on the counter, pulls out 2 more tubes and gets ready to draw blood.  I say "that isn't the right number of tubes"  She said "yes it is, the order shows three tubes"  I could not convince her that the orders do not include the seperate tube from UNC.  I explained I was in there every two weeks and I know what tubes are used.   She said" Really, I've never seen you before".   Like that was the point I wanted her to understand?!  This is at a hospital. Why is it so hard to follow orders?     So, now the worry is if they will send a purple top tube to UNC or will they beable to run all the necessary tests with one less tube?    I've emailed my co-ordinator, so she will be aware there may be a problem.  You always have to be on your toes.  It feels like a full time job some days!  ( a really good full time job!!)

[okarol]

  Hahahaha she's never seen you before. Tell her you used to be a man, now does she recognize you? 

[paris]

Creatine is back up to 1.8.  None of us are concerned, but I want it back at 1.4.  I need to keep drinking more and more.  I am surrounding myself with water bottles.   Everything else is ok - some numbers too low, but nothing we can't handle.    The hospital I get my labs done, now has online lab results, so a few days after getting them done, I can read them online.  I really like that.  The transplant center calls me that afternoon, if there is a problem. But now I can read all of them.  I like having that little bit of control! 

Okarol, you are bad!!         

[okarol]

How's your prograf? Any changes in Jenna's trough level and her creatinine goes up.