Next dates to know

March 16 I will have the catheter taken out of my neck that was used for Hemodialysis. I will get to have a shower then, too.

Sometime in mid-March they will run tests to see how my body is reacting to the peritoneal dialysis. If results are good they will put me on the cycler. This is a type of peritoneal dialysis that you hook up to a machine while you go to sleep. This will mean more freedom for me since I wont have to worry about being somewhere 4 times a day to do my dialysis like I have to do now. Sometimes I get tired of having to interrupt what I am doing to go do my dialysis but it is a lot better than having to go to a clinic three times a week at 6:30 in the morning for 4 hours. Not to mention the foods I have been able to enjoy the last couple of weeks...

Not sure when they will start the next round of tests for the transplant but of course I will let you know when I know.



Pop Culture Rants
Not sure how many of you have seen the show on MTV entitled My Sweet Sixteen. It is about spoiled brats turning 16 and the planning for their birthday bash. Kind of a cross between Real World and Cribs for the youngsters. The brats are the spawn of rich folks, so the parties run a lot of $$$. The 2 episodes I have seen spent $400,000 on one party and the other around $250,000. Now, of course, kids are going to expect something similar for their birthday. A friend of mine said his daughter is soon to be turning 16 and has already told her dad that she wants a party like what she has seen on this horrible show....

Hats of to CMT for bringing back one of the greatest shows of all time; The Dukes of Hazard. How many TV shows do you know of that a character spawned a fashion line named after her like Daisy Duke? And you also get to see former Congressman Ben Jones before he was elected.

And finally, I blame most of the problems of the last few years in America on the fact that Sesame Street decided to let everybody see the Snuffolumpogus. It used to be only the viewers and Big Bird could see Snuffy. It taught you that it was ok to have an imagination and imaginary friends but now Sesame Street is busy teaching kids to conform.... oh well.

Mmmmmmmmmmmm Tater Tots

Had lunch with a group of friends. Still in celbratory mode on eating and drinking whatever I want. Tater Tots with real ketchup (Heinz of course). Man was that good. Good to see everybody. One guy drove in from Mississippi where he is going to law school. I bet he has lost 200 pounds. Did not recognize him at all.

Went to get my haircut at this men's salon I like to go to. I am addicted to that place. They had the movie Ray playing on all of the flatscreens that are normally showing news, stocks, and sports. I so love that movie. Will have to end up buying that one soon.

Called my cousin this afternoon that will probably be my donor. Had a long talk. Waiting for his Doctor to send proof of his blood type so that we can get this going. Doctor has everything but that information. My cousin called the lab he had stuff done at before a surgery he had couple of years ago at the request of his Doctor. He had to leave a voicemail (do you ever talk to humans anymore when you make phone calls?). If they dont have it, he will call the transplant coordinator and set up an appointment to go get it done next week.

Tomorrow, having another celebratory gathering. Can you imagine how many celebrations I will have when I get the new kidney?

Wifey update and other stuff

She went to another eye doctor this week. Seems her eye grew a wall around the hole in her retina and she wont need surgery.

As far as my transplant goes, every person has 6 antigens in their body. You get 3 from each parent. When they are matching donors they are trying to match the antigens. Some are more important to match than others. Some people, like me, are blessed with antigens that get along with almost every antigen. What this means is that pretty much all I will need is someone with type O positivie or O negative blood and I'll be good to go.

Talked with my transplant coordinator Wednesday. At that time, 3 of the 11 people that had expressed an interest have called her to be put on my list. One is a cousin that is like the older brother I never had. Since I am fairly easy to match, they will begin doing the in-depth testing on him as soon as he can get the proof to them of his blood type. I guess I should call him and talk with him about this....

Darn our Luck

The wife went to the eye doctor last week. She has a hole in her retina. It seems to be a genetic thing in her family. Thankfully they think they caught it in the early stages and will probably operate during her spring break. She goes to the eye doctor again next week for more tests.


Meanwhile, I am in the middle of doing a dialysis exchange on my own at home. Scheduled to have the perma-cath (the port used for the other type of dialysis I used to be on) taken out March 16.

Went to our favorite Italian restaurant tonight owned by a Greek family near our house. Our favorite waiter (in his mid-60's and from Italy or Greece) was happy to see us. Was shocked when I ordered Lasagna since the last few times we have went if I got pasta it was with olive oil and garlic. No cheese and No red sauce until we went today. Told him the good news and he was happy. God we love that place! Also got the flaming greek cheese appetizer thingy. Ompa!

Ok finishing up my dialysis. That was quick. Gotta go now.

Graduation comes early

I finished my dialysis training a day early. Did my first dialysis exchange by myself at home tonight.

Also had a coke and pizza for lunch (try living without them for 5 months and see how you feel) and mashed potatoes for dinner.

Tomorrow I will be doing one of my PD treatments at work. That should be interesting. Not sure what "new again" thing I will eat tomorrow.

End of next week, having a celebratory lunch with some friends at one of the best burger places. Another celebratory shindig on Saturday of next week. Party, party, party.

Two weeks and the port for hemodialysis will be removed. Can take a shower then!!! Dont think I will invite any of you for that celbration.... lol.


Also, it seems I am updating this blog much more frequently. Not sure how long I will keep doing that.

MMMmmmmm..... chocolate

Today was my first day on pertineal dialysis. As a result, I can now eat pretty much anything. Had my first piece of chocolate since last October today. Took the misses to a Japanese eatery tonight for Valentine's Day. I was able to eat the fried rice and the Miso soup. I gave wifey her Valentine's Day present. Couldnt wait. It was jewelry. It is good to have friends in the jewelry business...

Today through Wednesday I am in training for the new dialysis. Boring. The class is designed for the lowest common denominator, but if this is what I have to do to switch, then I will do it.

Also, today my medical malpractice lawsuit was filed. Just in time, too. The state senate just agreed with the state house on caps on medical malpractice suits. Idiots. Will probably be signed as a law tomorrow. These caps do not apply to me, which would amount to about $8 a day for the rest of my life for pain and suffering. I just hope that nobody that was all gung-ho to put these caps in place will ever have to go through something like I have had to go through.

Also today I mailed out letters to all of my potential donors to let them know what steps they have to do. I just cant believe that these people (family, friends, and people I dont really know) would volunteer to give me an organ. I tear up everytime I think about it.

Thursday I am hoping to eat lunch at one of my favorite pizza joints.

Good day

Today was the last day of hemodialysis for me. Monday I start training for PD. You cant believe how happy I am. I will miss some of the nurses and techs at the clinic but I wont miss the 12 hours a week I was there.

it is official

Received the call tonight from my transplant coordinator. I am officially on the transplant list now. The next step is that my potential donors call up the coordinator to officially volunteer. Probably about half of them will be tested as one group. Blood will be drawn from them and me on the same day (even the ones out of state through the magic of overnight delivery). Whoever is the best match will then have to go to my hospital for a two day evaluation (the same thing I went through three weeks ago) . After about 3 weeks from when they go through the evaluation then the surgery will be scheduled. It could be as early as 10 weeks from now but more likely will be in mid June when the transplant is performed.

The transplant coordinator is part mother and part counselor and part boss. She oversees all of the testing and the evaluation. If I am sick I am to let her know. If I go out of town I let her know. If I have questions, I am to ask her. If I need a shoulder to cry on, that is also her job.

that feels weird

Wednesday they drained and flushed the lines I had put in last week for the other type of dialysis. It feels strange to feel the liquid coming into your stomach. Very strange.

Next Friday is my last day of hemodialysis. I can hardly wait.