Skip to main content

On the Renal Ward and the Biopsy

I was eventually moved onto the normal ward on Friday 3rd September, unfortunately my blood pressure was not under control enough to have my biopsy on the Friday so I would now have to wait until Monday.

Initially I didn't like it on the ward, privacy was not an option, but after a while I found the camaraderie between the patients extremely comforting.  Again I was sad for some of the patients who had no or few visitors, and I felt for some of the patients who were suffering mentally or were struggling with their personal situation.  I was glad that I had my strong personality and had good coping mechanisms!!

Over the weekend the doctors let me out for a few hours and I met up with friends for a spot of lunch.  I got tired extremely quickly and had to go back to hospital, I hope I'm not institutionalised already!!

Monday came all too quickly, I was apprehensive about having the biopsy as you only  have a local anesthetic.  Before I could be taken for the biopsy I had to have a drip which contained a drug which "would make my blood sticky", this was because of the lack of platelets.  The doctors had already found out my blood type in case I needed a transfusions afterwards.  I was told this was a final solution to any problems as it would mean finding a kidney match was be extremely hard.

I would describe the biopsy as uncomfortable.  Mostly likened to having your teeth drilled as, although the area is numb, you can still feel the pressure being applied.  I was glad when the procedure was over and I was on the way back to the ward!

Recovery from a biopsy is simply lying flat on your back for eight hours.  Sounds ok I initially thought, however, with only two hours passed I was going out of my mind and my back was aching.  I think it was the longest eight hours which I have spent in the hospital!

The day after the biopsy my mum and Anita were with me when the doctor came with my results.  He said that I have Glomerulonephritis which is an inflammation of the small blood vessels in my kidney.  He explained that they had not found any "good" parts and that basically my kidneys were knackered.  At this point he also told me that my kidney function had reduced to 6% 

After this news I was totally shocked when the doctor said that I was to be discharged.  This was great news as I was suffering badly with sleep deprivation.  I was handed a huge bag of drugs and told to come back on Thursday for "clinic".

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Quickly Has That Six Months Passed?

I haven't updated the blog for a few weeks as everything has been going to plan!  I had been feeling better and better everyday that passed.  My appointments at Derriford have been reduced to once a week and my date for transferring back to Treliske had been set. However, this week I have literally been knocked off my feet!  Sunday evening I had a somewhat restless nights sleep and I had a tickle at the back of my throat.  Here we go I thought, my first cold since my transplant.  I had already been told that a cold would floor me now due to the immunosuppresant drugs, but I was not prepared in the slightest for how I have been feeling!! Monday I carried on as normal but Monday night I had no sleep whatsoever as I was coughing all night.  Tuesday all I managed to do was lie in the dark all day with my eyes closed.  Wednesday, after another sleepless night I called the hospital and was told to go to Derriford straight away (with my overnight bag packed...
Post a Comment
Read more

Significant Milestones & the World Transplant Games!

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES! Another year has passed but this year with several significant milestones!    In August I reached the ripe old age of 40!  I have no idea how I got so old so very quick!  Where has the time gone!   In December I celebrated my 10th year working with/for Frugi  they started out as one of my clients when I was self employed and now I'm their full time Finance Director.  A job I absolutely love!  (Most days!!)   Earlier this month Trev and I celebrated 15 years together!  We have such a laugh all of the time, no day is ever dull!   Finally today is the fifth anniversary of my kidney transplant, an important day in my calendar.  Everyday I live without the need for dialysis is such a gift.    I am fit, healthy and live everyday to the full.  I am so very privileged and wouldn't be in this position without my mum, my donor.  Thank you mum.   Mum and I at the...
5 comments
Read more

First visit to clinic and Anemia

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...
Post a Comment
Read more