Changes
Well, it's been nearly two weeks since I was released from the hospital, and things seem to be improving very well.
It all started the week of Thanksgiving, and my truck wasn't working. One of my coworkers offered me a ride into work, but as I was getting into her car, I had a great deal of difficulty getting into her car. My legs were so weak and heavy, and it took a lot out of me. I had been this way for months, and thought at some point that I'd get better. My friend asked me if I wanted to go to the ER, and I just gave in and said yes. We went to Huntsville Hospital, and I was seen almost immediately. It was told to me that they thought that I exhibited congestive heart failure, but tests later revealed stage 4 kidney disease. I had about 50lbs of extra fluid that had built up within me. My doctor was very concerned because I'm so young to have such an issue, dare I say it made him a bit sad.
My blood pressure and blood sugar were also high, so getting me stabilized was very important. For several days I was given IV Lasix and Albumin, but because I had anemia, I was given a unit of blood to help the process of fluid removal. At one point, there was talk of putting me on dialysis because the fluid wasn't coming off fast enough for my kidney doctor, however the IV therapy did it's job. When I got to the hospital, I weighed 308lbs, at discharge I got down to 264lbs. While I'm now on a host of meds (diuretics, blood pressure, thyroid,and Onglyza (for Diabetes),I definitely feel that I have the tools I need to improve my life. Since I've been home, I'm now down to nearly 230lbs, and still losing (I think the thyroid meds are helping more than I originally believed they would).
When I told family about my stage 4 kidney disease as a result from untreated Diabetes, they all came at me with different things, more negative than positive. I have made adjustments to my diet, and the meds are doing their job, so all I can do is keep a positive mind and leave it all in God's hands.
Until next time...
It all started the week of Thanksgiving, and my truck wasn't working. One of my coworkers offered me a ride into work, but as I was getting into her car, I had a great deal of difficulty getting into her car. My legs were so weak and heavy, and it took a lot out of me. I had been this way for months, and thought at some point that I'd get better. My friend asked me if I wanted to go to the ER, and I just gave in and said yes. We went to Huntsville Hospital, and I was seen almost immediately. It was told to me that they thought that I exhibited congestive heart failure, but tests later revealed stage 4 kidney disease. I had about 50lbs of extra fluid that had built up within me. My doctor was very concerned because I'm so young to have such an issue, dare I say it made him a bit sad.
My blood pressure and blood sugar were also high, so getting me stabilized was very important. For several days I was given IV Lasix and Albumin, but because I had anemia, I was given a unit of blood to help the process of fluid removal. At one point, there was talk of putting me on dialysis because the fluid wasn't coming off fast enough for my kidney doctor, however the IV therapy did it's job. When I got to the hospital, I weighed 308lbs, at discharge I got down to 264lbs. While I'm now on a host of meds (diuretics, blood pressure, thyroid,and Onglyza (for Diabetes),I definitely feel that I have the tools I need to improve my life. Since I've been home, I'm now down to nearly 230lbs, and still losing (I think the thyroid meds are helping more than I originally believed they would).
When I told family about my stage 4 kidney disease as a result from untreated Diabetes, they all came at me with different things, more negative than positive. I have made adjustments to my diet, and the meds are doing their job, so all I can do is keep a positive mind and leave it all in God's hands.
Until next time...