The good, the bad, and the thank you

[AguynamedKim]

Firstly, the good.  My labs came back on my first checkup and it looks like I'm headed in the right direction with a decline in my creatinine from 1.27/1.20 down to 1.00 and my GFR still ">59".  I know it doesn't mean my kidneys are "getting better" but I'll take it as a sign that I'm slowing down my progression.  My blood pressure is also way down now, usually in the 110s/70s.  I'm hoping my vegetarian, low-protein, low-sodium, diet along with a lot of exercise keeps my going for a while like this.  If I didn't have protein in my urine, I wouldn't think I have an issue, but that foamy toilet reminds me all day that I need to keep taking care of myself.
 

The bad.  The only bummer I had is that I went into the doctor having had sharp stomach pains for a couple of weeks.  I had some burning feelings in my stomach (indigestion) as well as was really hoping it was caused by an ulcer which is relatively simply to take care of but my H. Pylori bacterium test came back negative.  Unfortunately, now I have to figure out what's going on and most of the other causes of abdominal pain are much worse than an ulcer.  We also found a little bump/lump on my abdomen that the doctor thinks is a neuroma that we're treating with anti-inflamatory medcines for a week to see what happens.  I'm still experiencing the pains.  They are sharp and quick and not really painful - almost just annoying.  But the thoughts about what they could be are far more devastating.  Is is some sort of cancer?  Is it some sort of other disease?  Just when I was coming to grips about my kidneys, there's something else I'm going to have to worry about now?  Crud...
 

The thank you.  Thank you IHD and particularly MooseMom for helping me through this initial stage of my journey.  I've really come to understand kidney disease - you all have done so much to help me cope with my possible different futures.  And while I have a big fear now of the unknown with my abdominal pain now, I know I can come back and get support from my friends here.
 

[MooseMom]

There are few of us who have bodies that work perfectly all the time.  But the body has a quite amazing ability to, if not completely heal, then to at least compensate.  If you are smart and lucky, you will be vigilant and will do what you can to help your body stay well, and that's exactly what you've done, Aguynamedkim.  Ironically, the fact that you are concerned about your renal function and have taken steps to look after yourself probably means that you are in better health than you were, say, this time last year.

As for your stomach pains, I can see where this would be scary.  There's always something, it seems.  What happens next?

[okarol]

  The good news is very good. I hope the pain you're having is not a big deal. Take care. 

[AguynamedKim]

Thank you for the hug, Okarol.   

I totally agree with you, MooseMom - I do believe I am healthier now than I have been been in quite some time.  I feel great except for the occasional stomach pain.  As per usual, the psychological effects of worrying are hurting me more than the actual pain.  If my stomach wasn't bothering me or if I had gotten a postive test for the ulcer, I think you'd have to have peeled me off the ceiling I'd have been so happy today.  I truly am happy with my blood chemistry labs and I think I just need to sort through the numbers a little more to see what's up.  My doctor ordered a CBC with differentials blood test which I haven't seen before and I'm hoping to find some positive news in there.  Everything was within normal range but does that mean anything significant?

As for the next steps, I'll see what happens with the bump/lump within 2 weeks and see how the stomach pains over that time.  If they get worse, I'll go back earlier.  If they get better, I'll worry less and maybe listen to my doctor when she says she doesn't think it's anything serious.  I have an admitted phobia about cancer.  I was a cancer researcher.  My grandfather, aunt and grandmother all died from cancer.  I hate the disease with a passion and I'm always scared of it since it's ruthless and can strike out of the blue.  Since I was adopted, I'm not afraid of the genetics of it - i just hate that it took away people I loved.  I know what I really need to do is not waste my time worrying about it unless I actually have something to worry about.  I did go out and enjoy a nice dinner tonight and I think I'm in a better mind set now.  Going to head down to Galveston (beach) tomorrow to a friend's beachhouse and even though it'll be cold, it'll be nice to get away.  The ocean always seems to bring me peace.

[MooseMom]

Gosh, I haven't been to Galveston in about 15 years!  I want to eat at Gaidos!  Shrimptastic!  Hope you have/had a wonderful time.

[AguynamedKim]

Thought you might get a kick out of me mentioning Galveston, Moosemom.  I gotta support it as much as possible after hurricane Ike tore it up so badly. 

[Bruno]

Kim, I had stomach pains pre dx, so much so that My neph suggested I try Xantac which helped a little. But here's the funny part, once I went on dx they disappeared...strange, eh?

[AguynamedKim]

Well, Bruno you weren't far off.  After a week of more severe stomach pains and a couple of days of nausea (that was much worse than I ever imagined), I didn't wait for my next doctor's appointment and scheduled an appointment with a gastroenterologist.  I didn't need a referral to know who I needed to see at that point.  After another week of pain, waiting and some really bad worrying I saw the doctor.  The visit was strange and as he was so nonchalant about everything.  "I think your kidneys are fine.  I think you stomach is fine.  If you want to have a look, I think it's harmless but we are not going to find anything."  Really?  Then why the f*** does it feel like an alien is chewing it's way through my upper abdomen?  I sure hope you find something cause if you don't, it's going to be something with my other organs and the other thing that fits symptomatically is pancreatic cancer (yeah, I spent way too much time on the internet).  So then, Dr. Nothing's Wrong gives me the number to call to shedule my EGD (endoscopic exam) and fortunately he has an opening 2 days later.  I go in, do the full operation admitting process, and get wheeled in.  Dr. Jackass comes in, and says, "Ah yes, you.  I will show you what a perfectly healthy stomach looks like."  All I can think as I'm going under from the twilight sleep is how much I want to punch this guy in the face.

I wake up in the recovery room, I get handed a piece of paper on it and it shows the pictures with clear abnormalities of the esopohagus (irregular z-line) and inflammation of the stomach.  He also took 3 biopsies.  I was never happier to hear a doctor was wrong.  I got the pathology report back today and it showed nothing serious other than chronic gastritis (I produce too much acid in my stomach) which I can combat with medicine (preferably a proton pump inhibitor like prilosec, nexium, etc.).  Bottom line is that it doens't look like you guys will getting rid of me any time too soon.

As for the small bumps I found on my abdomen, both the gastroenterologist and my GP think they are lipomas (small pockets of fatty cells).  They can occur when you lose weight quickly (which I have done a few times in my life) and the doctors think that I'm just now noticing them because I'm finally getting thin enough to notice them.  I'll just have to monitor and see.

Thank you again for all the support.  I can honestly say that I look forward to dealing with my kidneys since I thought I wasn't going to be given enough time to have to worry about it.  Hopefully I'll be a little less 

I will say this, I've never thought more that you really have to take charge of your health and not wait for the healthcare "system" to take care of you (at least here in the US).

[Stoday]

So, a clear case of internetitis. 

[boswife]

Wow, im glad im catching this 'posting' at this stage of the game... I woud have suffered along with you on the 'stomach' part of it i feel.  (i have had mucho anxiety these days and owie tummy from it)  Im Sooooo verry glad that all is settleing in with you 'guy' and that your finding your way to a healthyer you.  Im so glad too that you found your way here and the wonderful people who have helped guide you.  AMAZING huh    I wish you continued health. 

[AguynamedKim]

So, a clear case of internetitis. 

No doubt, Stoday.  A terrible case.  I thought I was doing an OK job of hiding my fear and anxiety from my wife but upon discussion with her, she was doing a very good job of hiding her fear and anxiety about my fear and anxiety.   

This happened before when I was first looking up information about my foamy urine and what it meant.  By the time I was done, I was having all kinds of symptoms of Stage 5 CKD and was pretty convinced it was all but certain of my imminent demise. Then I found IHD, got my bloodwork and urinalysis back, and have been so grateful that I've been able to do something about my condition so far.  I've come to terms with my CKD and what it might lead to and am inspired every day by what I read here.  I know it can be extremely difficult and things can go terribly wrong, but I believe it's something I can fight like so many brave people on this forum fight (and thrive through) every day.

[AguynamedKim]

Wow, im glad im catching this 'posting' at this stage of the game... I woud have suffered along with you on the 'stomach' part of it i feel.  (i have had mucho anxiety these days and owie tummy from it)  Im Sooooo verry glad that all is settleing in with you 'guy' and that your finding your way to a healthyer you.  Im so glad too that you found your way here and the wonderful people who have helped guide you.  AMAZING huh    I wish you continued health.

Thank you, Boswife - you all have given me so much peace through knowledge and knowing that this incredible group of people live out there in the world.  I really love your picture and have found it to very inspirational.  This disease has given me a focus on live I never thought possible, especially in knowing what's most important to me - sitting somewhere, holding my wife's hand, enjoying life.