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

Time Flys When You're Having Fun!!

Well here I am again letting you know that another year has passed since I had my transplant FOUR years ago! The difference this transplant has made to my life is enormous. Whilst on dialysis, although I carried on with my life, the fatigue meant I spent the majority of my free time in bed or with my feet up wrapped in loads of blankets with the heating on full as I could never warm up. Now life is unbelievable! In my last blog in August I was telling you the story about my success at the British Transplant Games. Since then I have had the honor of being asked to represent Team GB in the World Transplant Games in Argentina which will take place in August this year!! I entered the British Transplant Games initially for two reasons, firstly to raise awareness of organ donation and that is still extremely important to me, so if you haven't done so already please sign up here but don't forget to discuss your wishes with your loved ones. Secondly to get fit and heal...

Goodbye Dad

It is with great sadness that I am writing this blog. My Dad, Terry Carroll, passed away on the 31st August following a cardiac arrest on Helston Bowling Green on the 24th August. We take great comfort in the fact that he was doing what he loved. Dad was taken to hospital by air ambulance and had his heart restarted, however, his brain was without oxygen for too long and we were told by the doctors that he was very unlikely to survive. After three days with no response from dad, the doctor introduced us to the donor nurse. As you know, all of my family are advocates for organ donation, but we never thought for a minute that we would be on the other side of that conversation. Dad had been on the donor register for many years, long before I was unwell, and had made his wishes very clear, therefore we said yes. The fact that dad wished to donate his organs meant that there was a delay before the doctors took dad off his ventilator, 12 hours or so. We ...

Six Year! WOW!

Another year has passed with the gift of life which I received from mum six years ago! It has been a year of ups and downs, with actually way too many downs. The Pirate FM Awards In April last year I had the honour of receiving the "Sporting Achievement Award" at the Pirate FM Local Hero Awards. Trev had put my name forward unknowingly to me and I won! You can read more in my blog HERE . At the awards ceremony Poorly Mum At the Pirate FM awards ceremony, mum wasn't very well. In fact she wasn't well for a very long time with several long stays in hospital and two operations. Mum was not actually beginning to feel better until late August. I'm pleased to report that mum is back to her normal self again now. Mum & I at Christmas The British Transplant Games The British Transplant Games were in Liverpool last year at the end of July. As is always the case, the Plymouth Team was small but mighty! Winning 25 m...

Me and my journey through kidney disease . . . .

Search This Blog