We went to the kidney specialist this morning. Bill’s kidney function still remains at 16% which is blessing since it has not decreased. The doctor said we could wait on dialysis. But, Bill has decided to move forward. So, the next steps are the following:
1. Bill will need to get surgery on his left arm where the surgeon will need to do a fistula which is fusing one of his veins and artery together to prepare for home dialysis. That area is where the tube will be inserted and the blood filtering will happen through the machine 2 to 3 hours/3 to 4 times a week. Dialysis will happen after work and on weekends. After surgery, Bill will need to wait 2 months to make sure the fistula is working properly. If everything is okay, then dialysis will start. While we are waiting, Bill and I will get trained on how to do the home dialysis.
2. During this dialysis prep time, we will meet the transplant team to discuss what family members and friend need to do to get tested. Prayers that we find an exact blood-match living donor. Bill’s body will respond better which this option and he would get off of dialysis permanently after transplant. Bill would stay on dialysis until he got a match.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Welcome!
If you don't know our story, my Braveheart got diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease due to complications from diabetes and high blood pressure that he contracted at the age of 27 from a virus that attacked his pancreas. With kidney function, you need 100% of both kidneys functioning. His primary care doctor saw some abnormality with his kidneys and referred him to a kidney specialist. It was early spring when we saw the kidney doctor. Through a series of tests, the doctor saw that his kidneys were at 21%. Not good news but not drastic yet. He wanted us to come back for a follow up appointment. At that appointment, Bill's kidney function dropped to 16%. The doctor was worried that the function decreased so quickly. He started talking to us about dialysis and kidney transplant. We started the journey by Bill doing a kidney biopsy to rule out any other disease. Test results showed failure from diabetes and high blood pressure. Now, we begin the journey of home dialysis and kidney transplant. It will be a journey of ups and downs requiring our strength, bravery, and vulnerability because this journey will be our new normal until transplant happens. A transplant will give Bill his quality of life back. We pray that we find a blood-match living donor soon so Bill won't be on dialysis for a long time. Dialysis will help him while we find a donor. But, it is not the same as finding a healthy kidney.
Thank you for traveling this journey with us! No matter your religious belief, we welcome prayers and well wishes.
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