Ha! i DID IT!

[Gerald Lively]

Last week, after feeling better for about a month, I insisted on a review of my blood and urine tests.  I did all that was required and the results came in while I was on the diabolical dialysis machine today;  my kidney function has returned to 20% and the good Doctor says I am off dialysis.  I do have to come back for weekly blood tests.

After six months of decline, unconsciousness, and eight months of dialysis, I am off the tubes.  If the tests hold up, I may be off this forever.  Chemotherapy tomorrow (three more times) and that will be finished.  I will keep my chest catheter until we are certain.  The Doc said this was rare, I don't know about that part.

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO HA
gerald

[boswife]

Dang!!! If I had the energy I'd dance . 

[YLGuy]

               We need more happy icons. There just are not enough of them for this news!

[cariad]

Simply THE BEST news! Congratulations and enjoy every moment of your freedom!

[Gerald Lively]

Do I have to leave I Hate Dialysis?

[cariad]

Do I have to leave I Hate Dialysis?

Depends. Do you still hate dialysis?  

[amanda100wilson]

Great news.  I want to still see you around here 

[AguynamedKim]

That is absolutely great news, Gerald.  Congratulations!

 

[boswife]

uh NO<  you do not have to leave GL.... now that would be a sad thing comming out of such an amazing happening!! ... I can see why you'ld want to, but,,,,, not a good idea!!  nope!  or at least ya could come and let us share your good stuff ya know?  Im soooooo happy you persisted..   

[Animal]

Good for you!

[galvo]

Well done, that man!

[Gerald Lively]

Wife said I have to start exercising, my boobs are sagging.  Hooolleeeee Cow!!  73 and saggy boobs, can you imagine that?








Bee-bob-a-lula  Da da da . . . . . . . . . . .

[Jean]

That really is good news Gerald, no matter how much your boobs are sagging!!!! Congratulations!!!

[Desert Dancer]

Wow!! What amazing news! I am so happy for you! 

Now just how in the hell did you pull it off?

[Whamo]

I'm happy for you.   

[Traveller1947]

This is incredible news!  Don't stop celebrating!

[looneytunes]

Absolutely wonderful news!                  

[big777bill]

 You deserve it buddy, you been through enough. This encourages us that it is possible to get away from this.

[conchman]

Well earned my good man, good luck, and "May The Force Be With You"
 
     

[Grumpy-1]

Congrates GL.  Great news.   I'm trying to go down the same path.  Without telling anyone (ie DRs) I stopped all the meds *** they have been giving me over the last 2 years.  AND I'm starting to feel GREAT.  I'm gaining back the strength in my legs, I feel BETTER.  etc, etc.   The only down part is that I still get winded and out of breath easily.   I'm hoping that will improve as well. But just getting over a cold/sinus infection so maybe that has something to do with it.    * **still doing PD and taking a multi vitamin and blood test showed I'm low in iron so I'm getting some iron shots (but that should end soon).   It would be great if I could follow GL and come off PD as well..

[Riverwhispering]

Gerald you can't leave us for that reason... duh 

You're one of the lucky ones...  congrats 

No comment about the man tits 

[billybags]

Gerald, Don't you dare leaves us. By the way congratulations and take care of your self.

 

[Gerald Lively]

I hope I haven’t misled anyone.  Until my kidney function is determine to be a trend, steady or improving, I consider this temporary.  On the other hand, I recognized an improving trend months ago but I was unable to convince anyone to retest.  It wasn’t until I confronted the good Doctor with facts and charts that we retested.  And, yes, I have been feeling better.

Last July the tests did show an 8% kidney function, not enough they told me.  I had hope of improvement but the numbers went in the wrong direction.  (Creatinine went from 17 to 3.1 then back up to 3..  Then there was this argument about “feeling bad” after each dialysis.  I insisted on taking charge of my water extraction based on my formula for dry weight and things began turn around.

I never followed their diet nor did I take any binders, but I always ate and lived in moderation.  Except once when I was about to give up.  It was then that I got blind-drunk on white wine.  Oddly enough, it was that week when my numbers began to improve.

I was on a three-day a week protocol for dialysis, never missed a day or was ever late.  That is eight months of dialysis, not much compared to most of the members of this forum.  I will wear my chest catheter for a while, at least until I survive the next round of testing.  My fingers are crossed.  The Doctor did say this was rare (a comeback after eight months).  These recent events have caused me to appreciate more keenly, the importance of diet and kidney care.

I must go now, I have chemotherapy this afternoon.  H. Lymphoma.  We can beat that one too.

gl

[Lillupie]

This is rare, but since I have come on this site and other sites I have heard about this more and more. I am happy for you. Although I must admit I am quite jealous and do wish the same for me, but I must accept my fate of this for the rest of my life beceause even though Im on the transplant list I dont see myself getting off of dialysis any time soon.

Lisa

[willowtreewren]

This is absolutely GREAT news! 

 

Sorry I missed it yesterday, but we were out in the wilds on our "maiden" camping trip in the new camper.

Gerald, if YOU have to leave IHD, then I would have to as well, since Carl has had his "new" kidney for over a year now. And after all, we STILL hate dialysis.

 

Man, I'm pleased.....

Now, let's hear some good news on your cancer! 

Aleta