Day of remembrance

I just saw on the news that Bernie Mac has died. A couple days ago I read an article stating how he was in the hospital but was doing well and would be released within days. The reason I took especial note of his situation is that I drew a parallel to my own condition. I felt as though if Bernie Mac could manage his illness for all these years and still continue to live life, then maybe I could take a page from his book and try to enjoy what I can for as long as possible.

With his passing I feel personally sadden and at a lose. My condolences goes out to his family.

O+ Donor located

Just when things seemed bleek...bang out of the blue someone steps forward with the potential gift of life. Through a seemly random conversation with a co-worker sprang a discussion about when I would be retuning to the office. This prompted me to explain my situation in detail. To my surprise James (the co-worker) stated he was an O+ and willing to donate!

I have heard many times how sometime total strangers donate, but I really did not imagine I would be so fortunate. This has reaffirmed my faith in good people!

So, we're off and running. James called Emory Transplant Center to begin the initial living donor evaluation and is awaiting a return call.

Things are looking up...not say I'm pinning all my hopes on this possible donor...but I'm hopeful.

Decent weekend

Had a decent weekend...Apryl convinced me to pull out my ole ten speed bike and take a spin around a local park. It turned out to be pretty nice ride...legs and lungs where hurting but a nice morning ride.

Did not get to ride the motorcycle due in part to the extremely high temperatures and bad weather this weekend.

Getting better...

I'm coming out of the dark days...I appreciate the support and encouragement from my friends and family.

I'm thinking about taking the bike out for ride today...been awhile since I hit triple digits...love to hear the sound of the wind and engine at those speeds.

Another Doctor appointment

Well, just returned from yet another appointment. This time they want to stick a needle in my throat!!! And why do they want to plunge this needle into my throat? Because they want to investigate a possible thyroid growth, that seems benign. Every professional opinion seems to believe it's fine, but why not plunge the needle anyway to be sure!

Oh yeah, tomorrow I'm suppose to have an ultrasound of my dice. Who come up with these crazy ass exams? I feel more like a lab rat then a patient at this point.

Once again, I don't know how this is going to work out at this point...hoping for the best, but looking fairly bleak.

Options at this stage, continue dialysis...complete this gambit of strange exams...hope for cadaver kidney over the next five years. And of course the cadaver kidney has a limited lifespan...so I'll end up back in the same situation some years later.

If not already apparent by now I'm still feeling low. Nothing seems to cheer me up these days. I feel as though my entire future and that of my family has been constricted and is held hostage by this kidney failure.

Dark days...

Just returned from my final transplant evaluation and feel less then optimistic. It seems like recently I have had good days and bad days, but more good then bad as of late until today. I heard a lot of doom and gloom during my consults today, which has once again led me to that dark place psychologically. Basically, my hopes of a speedy transplant was dashed with the disclosure that the swap program would not likely yield a potential donor in my situation since the general population on recipients on the list are O blood types as well. This leaves me with zero options on the horizon and that the mercy of the national transplant list.

On a positive note, dialysis seems to be an effective method of treatment. My followup appointment at the center was good...lab test showed significant improvements.

Week One...

Ok, week one is in the books. PD training is complete. I have been doing manual exchanges for a few days without any procedural problems. My issues with manual exchanges are time and sometimes nausea feeling after filling. The four exchanges per day pretty much ties me to the house. Each exchange takes an average of 30-40 minutes to complete, with about 5-10 minutes of prep time. With any luck I will only need to endure this manual process for another 3-4 weeks, then comes the cycler.

Began working from home this week...first day was pretty much getting caught up on hundreds of past emails. It's good to get back into the rhythm of work and being productive. Looking forward to the cycler so I can get back in the office...I miss my office.

Need to mention I had low points this week with this whole situation. This has been a hellva transition to say the least. I am fortunate to have a very supportive family and excellent healtcare professionals, but it's still a grim reality when all said is done. Guess it's best to just take it one day at a time.

Think that's it for now...going to try to enjoy the weekend.