Trev took time off work so that I would not be alone on my return home from hospital. I had the best nights sleep back in my own bed! I felt tired but no different to normal, it felt a little sureal that I had just discovered that I was going to be going through the most testing time of my life.
On Thursday 9th September I had several appointments at the hospital. The first was at the emergency eye clinic. They told me that I had damage in three spots due to the high blood pressure but that would not be permanent damage. This was a huge relief. The thought of damaged eyesight scared me more than my kidney troubles.
Next I had an appointment with the anemia nurse. I didn't know I had anemia until then but she spent time explaining to me that the kidneys produced the hormone which tells your bone marrow to produce red blood cells. I had less than half the red blood cells that I should have. The nurse firstly injected a huge amount of iron into my bloodstream, this gave me a funny taste in my mouth. Then the nurse dropped the bombshell that I had to inject the hormone into myself weekly that my kidneys were no longer producing. I had not been prepared for this and when I was handed the needle I was shaking so badly Trev said I could have injected it in my eye or knee! For the first time in my life I was "incompetent" and had to sign a form to say so!!!!
Next I met up with the dialysis nurse. She explained all of the options which were available. It is no longer the case that the only choice you have is going to the hospital three times a week. I instantly like the idea of the Automated Peritoneal Dialysis. I had never heard of such a thing! With this type of dialysis it performs the dialysis using the peritoneal membrane inside your body! Amazing! And it does it in your sleep so (in theory) you can carry on with your life as normal. (In theory as I have not experienced that myself yet!!) I was and still am amazed that such systems exist.
Next I met up with my doctor, being a straight talking type of girl I asked him outright if there was any possibility of getting better or if ultimately I was going to have to have a transplant. He said without any doubt I needed a transplant and that ideally he would like it done within three to six months. He said that he thought I had been living with the kidney problem for years as in normal circumstances patients would be extremely ill with only 6% function. He also said it was extremely unusual for cases to come to light so late on. I later read that kidney failure is classed as 30% function and that dialysis would normally start at around 10% - 15% I always knew I was different!
Finally I had a meeting with the dreaded dietitian. I expected him to say that I could only eat healthy foods but that is not the case. The main thing I had to avoid is potassium. The only food I knew this was in was bananas but it is also in potatoes, tomatoes, chocolate, fruit juices and coffee etc etc. I am actually limited for the amount of fruit and veg I can eat. Weird!
My head was spinning by the end of the day with so much information to take in. However, it was a relief, I now knew that the plan was for a transplant as soon as possible and I was able to prepare myself for that.
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