Finally a diagnosis....: I finally got in to... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

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Finally a diagnosis....

draftee profile image
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I finally got in to see my kidney specialist, Did blood work and a urine sample, Creatinine level was 1.54 mg/dl down slightly from 1.62 mg/dl, He told me he checked my lab results back to 2006 and my Creatinine levels were at those same levels even back then. He said that he considered those levels slightly elevated and no treatment was needed at this time. He wants me back in 6 months for more blood work and urine test and said that we will keep it monitored, He wants me to have a kidney ultra-sound before my next visit, He made no mention of a special diet or life style change and liked the fact that I did not smoke or drink. He also was pleased one of my blood pressure medicines was lisinopril, Said that was a good choice for me. So today I am feeling pretty good and will continue to drink more water, Never use a salt shaker, Exercise "' walking "" And do my best to keep away from fast foods and junk foods, I have a weakness for dark chocolate,,,,

Take care everyone......draftee

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Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador

Hi Draftee,

So good to hear from you and your news! The fact that there has been no progression in 12 plus years is excellent!

As long as your nephrologist is aware and onto this, you are golden! The ultra in six months is a baseline check..good that he is thorough!

Keep accurate records and jot down what was discussed at the appointment in a small notebook so that you can refresh your memory and ask questions at your next appointment. If you can get a copy of your most recent labs, do so. Good reference.

You know, eat sensibly, watch the salt, walk ( which I need to do more of) avoid the ted meat.

and yes, eat your chocolate in moderation; leaving days in between your " passion of indulgence".

Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.

I stand strong with you and your family!

Sending warm thoughts.

Bet

draftee profile image
draftee in reply to Bet117

Thank you Bet for the kind words of advice, I will be honest with you though, I see this as just another bump in the road, Just another doctor added to the list that I have to see, I have my heart doctor that I go to because of heart stent surgery, I have my urologist doctor I go to because of prostate cancer and the 42 radiation treatments I had to have, I have my eye specialist doctor I go to because of macular degeneration and he injects medicine into my eyeball with a needle, I go see a pain specialist doctor because of calcium deposits on my leg tendons and he injects them with a steroid medicine that helps to numb the pain and allows me to walk without a cane. I go to foot doctor who checks my feet and cuts my toenails and i see this surgeon who operated on me when my appendix ruptured "" Saved my life "" He wants to check my zipper scar and make sure my insides are working properly, I see him once a year and now i have my kidney specialist and oh yeah my family doctor who wants to see me several times a year, I am thankful i have a good health insurance plan, General Motors Retiree, So far all i have had to pay is co-pays and prescriptions, So you see Bet every day that you wake up is a blessing, I am not overly religious but i believe God has a plan for us. And i guess that i am living the plan he has for me.......Take care bet......

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador in reply to draftee

Hi draftee,

You know that I will always reply to you, asap!

Rejoice in your news! One less major headache.

Unfortunately, life is one bump in the road after the other. If it isn't health, it's money or some other unplanned interruption, or challenge. Hurdle one and check it off on the list. I once read a philosophical story about a woman in Japan who had suffered great loss and could not get over it.

A wise man told her that there was not a family who had never known sorrow. He sent her on a mission door to door to find a family who had never known sorrow or loss. After going door to door, she returned to him with the answer: after a long journey, she could not find one family who had never known any pain or sorrow.

I agree that we all have a plan, and when we least expect it, the plan is changed. Draftee, the best we can do is play the hand we are delt, count our blessings and put our energy into the good in life; family and good friends among them. Yes, it is annoying, frustrating and challenging. The best we can do for ourselves is educate ourselves, follow steps to keep as healthy as we can and have regular monitoring.

You know that the days of the GP handling all medical issues and making house calls are over. ( My Grand Uncle was of that generation)

Today, for the most part, the GP's are supposed to coordinate care and refer you to a specialist when needed, as that's all they do all day. Children have more than one specialist as do everyone on this site.

None of us like living in a lab, and having the doctor on our payrolls, but we do it to stay healthy.

I have a GP, GYN, Endocrinologist, GI and now Nephrologist. I never dreamed that I would ever have so many specialists and write more checks to doctors than the dept. stores.

Your appendix was an unexpected annoyance. Hopefully, the doct will discharge you soon as your insides will be functioning to his satisfaction post surgery.

The cardiologist is a necessary health maintenance. My dad had one. The nephrologist, still knows the kidneys...better be monitored by someone who deals with this daily and will communicate with your GP.

You are going to laugh at me, but I book appointments as closely as I can on the same day, so it is over with and I have the rest of the time to myself. If your wife joins you at these appointments, make a day of it and take her out to lunch or dinner. It helps! When my husband can come, we do that and not only is it two pairs of ears, but shared time together and ends in a date night.

Please, I am not preaching, but sending you my heartfelt support and feelings.

I do understand and am your friend. Frustrated, message me!

I will always answer!

Hang in there and look for the good in each day!

Speak soon! :)

Sincerely,

Bet

draftee profile image
draftee in reply to Bet117

Hi Bet,

Bet I don't want you think I was complaining, If it sounded that way I am sorry, Hell I know that no matter what your issues are that there are people out there a lot worse off than you and people a lot better off than you...I think all I was saying is that I added another doctor to my list and the info I found out was not all that bad so just cope with it and do what you have to do to help your situation, The worst diagnosis I ever got was my prostate cancer and that was because my wife and daughter were with me that day, I did not want them to go but they insisted, I had two crying women on my hands and I felt worse for them than I did about my diagnosis but we drove home and had a long talk, I told them the best thing they could do for me was to be upbeat because if they were sad it made me sad too, but my wife lost both of her parents to cancer and I lost my dad to cancer and this was fresh in their minds, But hey, we got thru it and I am still here, so like I say Bet this is just another bump in the road. Bet thank you very much for all your kind words of support and advice, This site is very lucky to have you and I truly mean that..........draftee

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador in reply to draftee

You are amazing! Thank you!

Going to private message you later today!

Hang tight!

B..

And NO...you are NOT complaining!

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