A New Adventure

Today is my first day at the DaVita in Delhi. And it was a pain getting here! We woke up to about 2 inches on snow. The roads in my neighborhood weren't good, and Delhi Pike was worse. It took me about 15 minutes to get here. I think it would normally take 5. Good thing, cause I have to be here really early! They can get me on at 6:15 am. And today I was the only one here at that time. They got me on a little early, so I should be done before 10 am.

The Unit seems very similar to the one in Gatlinburg. There are about 12 chairs and a couple of beds. Each has a television, but these are mounted on the ceiling above each patient. I have a remote control at my chair kind of like in a hospital room. The sound comes out of the remote. I tried to use my ear buds but they didn't work.

I spend most dialysis treatments watching the Today Show. I realized today that coming in an hour early means I don't have to watch Hoda and Kathie Lee anymore. Hooray!

Anna's Doctor Visit

Anna had her 4 month check up yesterday. She weighs 11 pounds 2 ounces. Everyone is really pleased with how she's doing. Her length and weight is right in line with a 2 month old (her adjusted age). Her head is a little big, but she comes by that honestly. She comes from a long line of big-headed family members. She is doing things that I remember Alli doing when she was 2 months old, so I'm happy.

Anna had two shots yesterday. And she didn't cry with the first one. I was very surprised. But the second one did her in. I think her legs were bothering her last night after the shots, too. I gave her some Tylenol and that sort of settled her down a bit.

Back To The Unit

I think I might end up having some good stories about people here in the Unit. A strange looking old lady just came in. She seems to be in her 70's. She has long white hair passed her shoulders. She's wearing snow boots with heals on them, and having a hard time walking in them. She placed two Dumb-dumb suckers on the chair next to hers. I guess she's leaving them for a friend. And now she just waved her fist at one of the nurses, not in anger, but to be funny. She's going to be fun, I can tell!

One Last Time

I got a call yesterday saying they can take me at Delhi. In fact, today is my last day here at the hospital. I was excited, but sad, and shocked that it would happen so quickly. And I wanted to give the staff here something to thank them for everything they have done for me. So, Alli and I made some cookies and chocolate covered pretzels last night. I was pretty emotional last night. Less so today, which is odd. One of the nurses said, "We don't have many people like you here. We have lots of old people who scream and poop their pants." I guess they might miss me. I'm pretty easy.

Anna

Anna is officially four months old, but her adjusted age is just two months. We were looking at some pictures of Alli last night and it seems that Anna is doing things now that Alli did when she was two months old. She is smiling more and more, and even coo-ing at times. She slept for nearly twelve hours last night. And Alli's pictures look just like Anna. At Anna's baptism on Sunday, most people couldn't believe how much Anna looks like her big sister.

Baptism

Sunday was Anna's baptism. It was a great day. I can honestly say that I wasn't sure we'd make it to this special day. We even though about baptising her while she was in the NICU just in case. But we made it and had a great day. We had nearly 50 people at church and back at the house. City BBQ did the food and it was great. We ordered just the right amount. We have some left-over chicken which I'm planning on making into different meals (chicken fried rice, chicken soup, chicken ala king, chicken enchiladas, etc.) Sounds like Forrest Gump.

Thanks to Martha and Kevin for their help on Sunday. What great friends!

Busy...Stress...Good Pressure

Wow, this week has been busy and stressful. We had something to do every day. And we're not done. After dialysis today we have lunch with Santa. Jason's got a bowling tournament all day. We have to, some time, find time to clean the house before the Baptism on Sunday. We'd like to clean up the basement so we can have people play pool and ping pong.

But my blood pressure is good. It's much better than it's been in a long time. I feel better, too.

I got a call from Davita in Delhi. They might have a chair for me at 6:00 in the morning. It's an hour earlier, but I will still have to take half days off on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But my drive time will be cut in half. Yes!

Time and Meds Adjusted

My blood pressure has been really high. When I came in on Tuesday it was 200/115. So the nurse told me to say something to the doctor. I did and he decided to double both of my blood pressure medicines. And I think it's working. The past few days I would say that I don't feel wound quite so tight. And I haven't had a headache in a few days. Who knew that your kidneys had so much effect on your blood pressure?

One test that they do monthly is to test for the bad stuff in my blood BEFORE treatment and then again AFTER treatment. Then they find a percentage that represents how clean my blood got. It's called the URR. It needs to be above 65%. Mine was 75% this month which means my treatments are working well. So they decided to lower my time from 4 hours 15 minutes to just 4 hours. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it's enough that I'm not as rushed getting to school on time.

Good stuff.

This is the Test

The test we're doing this week is the one that tells us if we've found a match. And we'll know the results in 2-3 weeks. The potential donors will be contacted when the results come in and they will have to decide what they want to tell me. If they are a match and change their mind about donating they can tell me they are not a match. I'd rather think they are not a match than have them worry about telling me that they changed their mind. Of course, I would never blame a person for deciding not to donate. What a huge commitment!

So, Jason gets his blood drawn today and a co-worker and I had ours done yesterday. Hopefully one of them will be a match and then things move rather quickly. The donor will need to have a physical, an EKG, an ultrasound of their kidney, and will need to meet with a social worker. And I'm told most of these appointments can take place on the same day.

If my co-worker is a match, we'll have the surgery when she wants to. It'll be 100% her call. If it's Jason, then we'll do it in late May or early June. That way I will not need to take any more time off of work. The recovery time for me will be 12 weeks. I should be ready to return to school in August if all goes well.

Two to three weeks...Merry Christmas!

I Can See a Light

I keep saying that it's hard to see the light at the end of this very long and dark tunnel. But Thursday was a bit of a break-through. Not only are TWO people getting tested early next week, but other good things are happening.

First, they sent my paperwork to DaVita in Delhi. I might get to start dialyzing closer to home. It would cut back on my travel time tremendously! Plus, they get people on at 5:00 am. That's two hours earlier than here at the hospital.

Next, we're discussing HOME dialysis. There are two different kinds, but both can be done while I'm sleeping! AHH! That means I could work full days every day! Everyone keeps saying I'm a perfect candidate for home dialysis. I guess you need to be half-way intelligent and highly motivated. I'm definitely motivated.

I've sort of been floating on air the past few days. I can see a light at the end of this tunnel. It's just a glimmer of hope, but without hope I might not be able to make it.

Kidney Doctor

A nurse told me today that my kidney doctor said he felt like a grandpa when Anna was born. I can't believe I haven't sent him a thank-you yet. Of all of my doctors, he's been the one that's always been on my side. Guess I know what I'm doing during dialysis today.

Moving Right Along

I have an appointment to have some more blood drawn at Christ. A lady at work, a wonderful, kind lady, has made an appointment to see if we are compatible. She was told over the phone that if we aren't a perfect match then there are lots of medications that I could take to prevent rejection. I'm so excited!

Also, Jason got a call. The coordinator wants to talk to him about the next step in transplant. He's going to try to get an appointment on Monday or Tuesday. I think that we have to have our blood drawn within 24 hours of each other. I'm nervous about him trying to donate. I know that we'll both need help after the surgery. My parents said they'd take the girls for us while we recover. And I'm SURE there are tons of people who would come sit with the two of us. But, I worry. Of course I do...I've always been a worrier.

Bye-Bye Social Worker

I got a letter from my social worker today. It said that "it would be in both of our best interest" if she no longer handled my case. You think! I tried to request the other lady for this trip anyway. Not sure why I was stuck with this one again. Thank goodness!

Lost

I think I lost my phone. I can't find it anywhere. I feel so lost. Most of my doctors have my cell number. Hope they'll try my home number, too.

Blood Pressure

My pressure has been crazy high, so my doctors increased one of my meds. When I came in today it was much better. And it's only been one day of the increased meds. Yeah!