8/7/18 was full of medical stuff – a very full day for us.   I am very proud of Terry for keeping his sense of humor and good attitude (ok, yes, the anti-anxiety pills help and I’m grateful for them) but credit to Terry as well for trying to be in good humor!  He is amazing. 

After years of dealing with progressive medical issues we learn to not be too excited about some day to day issues (unless it’s a game changer) – but make no mistake, it’s Not easy for the patient or the care provider.  It is only through our Faith in God and your caring, prayers, good thoughts, support that we can walk this dark and scary path and not lose our way.  Kudos to all the care givers out there – we all need each other’s support. 

 Medical Update

8/6/18 - Terry had a new bleed in his right eye, which blocks out his vision.  We’ve dealt with that so many times its old hat, but he still needed a shot in the eye to break up that blood .  Vision is clearer this morning. 

8/7/18 - He had colonoscopy which revealed 1 polyp – shouldn’t be a big deal but it was removed and sent off to have that one checked.   This was part of the phase 1 testing and prep for kidney transplant. 

Then we had a kidney doctor appointment and talked about new labs.  He had increased white blood cell count – probably that UTI is back but we’ll check it out with the family doctor.  And his carbon dioxide numbers are below normal –  we’ve not had to deal with this before but I understand it’s a lack of oxygen exchange and the acid builds up in the blood.  This is a result of the kidney failure. 

Terry is in end stage renal failure.  He is prepping for dialysis.  He is not currently on dialysis.   

He has vascular surgery scheduled later this month to help provide a larger space in the vein for dialysis.

We are also prepping for kidney transplant  - we are not ‘active’ on the transplant list yet.  We have to complete Phase 1 testing, then Phase 2 testing, and then meet with the transplant team to make a decision if Terry is a candidate for a transplant.  Only if they decide he is a candidate, then we become 'active' on the list. 

Phase 1 is just good health stuff – like dental checkup, TB testing, Hepatitis shots, Tetanus shots – stuff like that.   Once that is all done, we can move on to Phase II which are the medical tests – like cardiac stress test, x-rays – things like that.

Quite an education but a good reminder that this body of ours is an amazing and complex machine – what a design!!

 Wishing you a good day and grateful attitude!!