Haven't posted in a while...
Well, I haven't posted in a while so I thought I'd make a short one. Things have been pretty exciting, and not in the good sense, these last few weeks.
I am finally on dialysis. :( After years of not knowing if I would be able to make 40 before it happened, we now know the answer -- nope. The realization happened suddenly and symptoms were really quite fast. Luckily I had decided to see my doctor because I wasn't feeling well. I say lucky because if I had waited, I probably would not be here now able to even post this.
Life has changed now, especially my diet. I now have to be careful of potassium and phosphorus, which is in everything to varying amounts. Unfortunately, phosphorus leaches calcium from your bones if it's high -- and causes arthritis (due to extra calcium deposits) if it's low. But it's potassium that's the real danger. We all need it to survive since it regulates the heart... but the kidneys regulate the amount in the blood stream. When the kidneys fail, that regulation stops and too much can get into the blood. If that happens, a heart attack occurs.
Overall I'm doing ok now though I have to admit I've been a little down. I try to look at the bright side of things but I'll be the first to say that it's hard. Just got to live life a day at a time.
I'm now waiting for my insurance to pre-approve transplant as an option. Then I'll be getting into the program. Hopefully they approve it quickly.
I am finally on dialysis. :( After years of not knowing if I would be able to make 40 before it happened, we now know the answer -- nope. The realization happened suddenly and symptoms were really quite fast. Luckily I had decided to see my doctor because I wasn't feeling well. I say lucky because if I had waited, I probably would not be here now able to even post this.
Life has changed now, especially my diet. I now have to be careful of potassium and phosphorus, which is in everything to varying amounts. Unfortunately, phosphorus leaches calcium from your bones if it's high -- and causes arthritis (due to extra calcium deposits) if it's low. But it's potassium that's the real danger. We all need it to survive since it regulates the heart... but the kidneys regulate the amount in the blood stream. When the kidneys fail, that regulation stops and too much can get into the blood. If that happens, a heart attack occurs.
Overall I'm doing ok now though I have to admit I've been a little down. I try to look at the bright side of things but I'll be the first to say that it's hard. Just got to live life a day at a time.
I'm now waiting for my insurance to pre-approve transplant as an option. Then I'll be getting into the program. Hopefully they approve it quickly.