Hello from San Francisco, California

[papacat]

Hello,
I am 67, married, live in the San Francisco, California and am still working fulltime. I love cats and currently care for 3 cats and a dog. I have spent at least 15 to 20 hours looking for help on IHD as a guest and decided it was time to join!

I was born with only a left kidney.
At age of 12, I was diagnosed with Arthritis of the lower back. I took Isoprophen pain medication every day for about 45 years to alleviate the pain of the lower back.

March 2002 - Went to hospital with chest pains. Diagnosed with Heart Attack – Heart Stent installed.
Spring 2004 - Left kidney was discovered to be operating at 70%. Potassium level 6.0 to 6.5. Low potassium diet started. Creatinine level was about 2.
July 2004 – Was having chest pains when walking. 2nd Heart Stent installed.
June 2005- Diabetes diagnosed.
Nov 2008 – Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter of heart diagnosed. Blood clot at top of right leg.
Feb 2009 – Heart Catheter Ablation was done to correct Atrial Flutter.
July 2009 – Right hip replacement surgery, blood clot at top of right leg after surgery
May 2012 – Approved for kidney transplant list when GFR was below 20 for several months.
Dec 2012 - Creatinine level was 4.72, Potassium was 5.2, Phosphorus 5.7, GFR was 12
Jan 2013 – Dialysis Catheter Port was installed for Peritoneal Dialysis, started CAPD
Feb 2013 – Started doing CCPD using Baxter cycler at home during the night.

Diabetes has been kept in control since diagnosed, primarily with diet and exercise. Even though diabetes can cause kidney failure, I believe the use of Isoprophen for so many years was the primary cause of the kidney failing.

With CCPD, I have not limited my liquid intake and still generate quite a bit of urine. My Potassium is in control, the constant itching of my arms and back is gone, I sleep better and I am no longer constantly tired. Dialysis has really helped improved my life.

[MaryD]

Hello, papacat, and welcome.           

I have two cats and do CAPD.

You've been through the wringer over the last few years.  I hope PD is a roaring success for you.  It is for me.

[cariad]

  papcat!

I love cats.... and San Francisco! My kids want a dog but I am lobbying for a cat instead. I want to get a short-hair exotic, one of those felines that perpetually looks both startled and annoyed. It's great to hear that dialysis has been so positive for you on balance.

We're glad you decided to join! 

[billybags]

papcat. Welcome to the site or should I say our family. You sound like you have been in the wars  for the last 10 years. We live in the UK and visited the west coast, took in San Francisco, wow what a city, loved it.
look forward to your posts.

[Poppylicious]

  papacat!  I love cats (have two currently, but they do like to try and entice their friends in!) Lovely to 'meet' you.

 

[lmunchkin]

Welcome Papacat.  You have found an awesome site with awesome people. 

Again Welcome & God Bless,
lmunchkin

[YLGuy]

  Glad you found IHD. welcome!

[dieterschien]

Welcome, I too live in the BAY  AREA  , I  invite you and or a team of friends  to the Kidney Walk....San Francisco Ferry Building ...Sunday June 2, 2013   

[Danncr]

Darn, I just saw the kidney walk note --  a day late!  -- and I'm a Bay area newbie too....

How was it?

   

[papacat]

Unfortunately, I had to work on Sunday June 2 so I was not able to go on the kidney walk in SF. 
papacat

[dieterschien]

Our San Francisco Walk  was well attended, the weather at the Ferry Building and along the water front was great. Please watch for next years date.

[CebuShan]

     papacat!
I am a SF native! We moved down the coast in the early '70's to Moss Beach. I'm in IL now and I miss my home like crazy!
I currently have 1 cat (an oriental) and 1 dog (a mutant Pomeranian) but when we had the farm, we had up to 17 once! They were great at keeping the area rodent free!
Glad you found our family! Lots of great people who are willing to answer any question you might have!