Thanks

Thanks to Beth for helping me out with some of the changes that I wanted to do to my blog and now have been done.

Changes

I felt like making some structural changes to my blogs so here it is. What do you think?

I'm trying to figure out how to do a few things like add what I am reading and listening to (like any of you really care about that kind of stuff). A few blogs I have been to have a chat room that you can go to off of their blog. Really nerdy stuff....

I have made a few modifications in the past but none were too visible. The biggest change before this one was making it so that you didnt have to register with blogger to leave a message.

Anyway, drop me a note and let me know if you like the changes or if you know how to add some of the stuff I am looking to do. Thanks.

Next time I may tell you about the new tattoo I am thinking about...

How good it feels

So last Saturday I took my first shower in over 6 months. You have no idea how good it feels nor how much you miss taking a shower.

Last Friday I got my hair cut. I have been going to this place that only cuts guys' hair. Sports and news on the flat screens. They can also shine shoes, give pedicures and manicures, and massages. Great place with no screaming kids and something to read besides old Ladies Home Journals. I got my first straight edge shave while I was there. Man was that nice.

Next week I will be on the type of peritonial dialysis that you do at night while you sleep. I am anxious to start.

The following week the wife and I will be in Vegas for a few days. I have never been and can hardly wait.

Thud

So Wednesday I went to the Doctor to have the perma-catheter removed from my chest. It was used for Hemodialysis. The procedure was done in the Doctor's office. First they gave me a shot to deaden the area around the port, which was the worst part of the whole ordeal.

This week, the Doctor had a young lady that is studying to be a medical assistant in his office. He had her come in to watch the procedure. Young african american girl. She turned whiter than me about the time he took the catheter out and she hit the floor. The nurse had to quit helping the Doctor and work on the student MA instead. I tried not to laugh too hard. When it was just the nurse and me, I asked if someone should really consider the medical proffession if they are a little squeamish at the sight of blood.....

The good news is that I can take a shower tomorrow. About time, as I am starting to reak....hahahaha.


Another potential donor had their blood typed this week. She is also A+ so that rules her out for me.

Yesterday I had my monthly visit with the nephrologist. I haven't mentioned him in my blogs but I like him SOOOOO much better than the nephrologist I used to have from his practice. My body is doing well with PD and I should be on the one you use when you go to sleep by the end of the month. The doctor asked if there was anything else I needed and so I asked what his blood type is and if he had ever thought of giving somebody a kidney. I think it was the first time anybody had ever asked him that. I laughed and offered to put him in touch with my transplant coordinator (especially after he told me his blood type is a match).

Several years ago, a friend of mine in the state legislature proposed to execute prisoners by beheading them. He reasoned that the inmates' organs could then be used by people that needed them. Just something to make you go hmmmmmmmmm.

Meaning of Life

No, not the Monty Python movie... Obviously I have had a lot to think and reflect on over the last several months. Yesterday I was given something else to think of.

By now everybody knows of the manhunt here in Georgia for the accused rapist that shot a couple of Deputies, a court reporter and a Judge. This all happened yesterday around 9 a.m. Normally I would have been at the intersection at 9 a.m. where the first car was carjacked and the second Deputy was shot. Yesterday I didnt go to work due to a slight fever and sore throat after being exposed to my neice last weekend who had just gotten over strep throat.

Several years ago I was in DC. I dated a girl there for over a year and was up to see her. We had done some touristy things and walked up the mall, past the back entrance of the Capitol, and over to Union Station to ride the subway. About the time we got to Union Station tons of police cars went racing past us with lights flashing and sirens blaring. A guy had shot his way into the back entrance of the Capitol and into an office. We missed it by maybe two or three minutes.

It is things like yesterday or the DC trip or suddenly having your kidneys shut down that really makes you stop and think about life and what is really important. Family and friends take on more importance and other things just dont seem to matter anymore.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

Changing Lives

So 2 more people ruled out of being a donor. One went to his doctor to get his blood type sent to my transplant folks. He found out he is hypertensive. Another went to her doctor and found out she is diabetic.

There are people that have quit taking the medicine I was on that caused all of this. Others are more skeptical when given a prescription and now want to know everything they can about the drugs they are given. Glad I could help.

In other news, my cousin that wanted to be tested but found out he is wrong blood type is now thinking about giving a kidney to anyone that needs it. He feels pretty strongly about this. I'll be honest and tell you that I tear up when I think about his selflessness.

I have been nominated to some national committee of dialysis patients to advocate for changes in laws and public policy. Also nominated to be on the Executive Board. Maybe this is why this happened to me....

An old roomie is going to be the next to be tested as soon as his doctor can prove his blood type, even though he is located quite some distance away. Will keep you up to date on this.

March 30 will switch to the cycler. Still peritoneal dialysis but this one you hook up to at night when you go to sleep instead of doing it 4 times a day as I do now. Next week I get the perma-cath taken out of my next that was used for hemodialysis. Cant wait to take a shower.

Lotta updating

When you are on peritonial dialysis you have to be careful and not get infections. Monday I had a fiber in my line (happens when you first start this type of dialysis) and it was hard for fluids to drain. Somehow in the rush of trying to do something about the fiber I must have touched an area that you arent to touch and got an infection. Had to call the nurse and go get some drugs. When you get an infection, you have more fibers floating around. They couldnt get the fluids out Monday afternoon so they forced more fluids in (on top of what I already had) . This cleared the lines but they couldnt drain any because the fluids they put in had medicine in it and if they had drained any, the medicine may not have stayed in to work. Let's just say walking around with 4 liters of fluid in your belly is hard on your back and is very uncomfortable. I think I know what it feels like to be pregnant....I hope I dont ever have to go through this again...

Got a call from my cousin today. He is not type O blood. Now we look at some of the other people that have expressed an interest in being tested.

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.

Hanging with the celebs

Last night the misses and I went to a fundraiser for the state transplant foundation. It was hosted by NY Mets pitcher Tom Glavine. You could pay to play ping pong, pool, air hockey, or poker for fun with various professional athletes. Air hockey was against the world champion air hockey player if you so dared. My first game was pool against a member of the Atlanta Falcons. I was on the list to play against Glavine but that list was too long but I did end up having my photo made with him and my misses at the end of the night. The misses is a poker player. She played against Braves starter John Smoltz and some NFL player for Pittsburgh. It really wasnt that fair for her or for the other challengers. Athletes were given about 15 x the money as the challengers, so Smoltz just bullied his way through the game. Of course he was also being dealt great hands, too.

It means a lot that famous people would give up their time for free to raise money for such a worthy organization. Tons of celebritites were there. When the live auction was happening, the athletes really got involved with that, too. How is an ordinary guy supposed to outbid a pro athlete making 7 digits on a guitar signed by all of the Rolling Stones? Damn you Kevin Millwood! But like I said, the money went to a good cause...

It also means a lot when ordinary folks would volunteer to be tested to give an organ to someone they may or may not know... Of course thoughts and prayers for everyone involved with the process is important and means a lot too. In short, thanks for being there for me and my wife, just by reading this.

feeling a little sore

Had the operation Tuesday to switch types of dialysis. The insert something into my abdominal cavity. Went home from the hospital yesterday. Not as sore today and can get out of bed a whole lot easier today but decided to skip work today, anyway. Tonight going to a fundraiser hosted by Tom Glavine. You can play darts or pool with Glavind and other celebrities for a donation to the charity, which deals with transplants.
If you want more information on peritoneal dialysis look here http://my.webmd.com/hw/kidney_failure/tv6900.asp or feel free to ask me. It'll take a couple of weeks to heal but my last scheduled hemodialysis is Feb 11.

Newest update

So I did my transpplant evaluation this week. Mostly it was me sitting around and waiting for 2 days. Since I am young and healthy, I didnt have to do as many tests as others have to. I met the team of doctors that will perform the surgery. Should hear the definitive yes I am approved in a couple of weeks. Then they will begin to check the now 11 people that want to see if they are a match, probably starting with family first.

Part of the evaluation was me talking with a shrink. I overanalyzed every question and every answer. When he asked what caused my kidney failure, if I knew, and I replied with what happened, I kept waiting for him to ask how does that make me feel. Gladly he didnt ask that one. Mostly, he just wants to make sure that I am not suicidial or manic depressive.

This week I have the surgery to switch types of dialysis. It takes about 3 weeks for it to heal up before I can officially switch. When it happens, I am pretty much free to eat or drink anything I want or desire. I can already taste the Cheesburger, tater tots (with ketchup), and a chocolate shake.

more dates

You all know about my 2 days (January 18 and 19) for transplant evaluation. January 25 will be when I have the surgery to switch types of dialysis. 3-4 weeks after that I will be on the type of dialysis you do at home. I can hardly wait! And about the time I can start eating real food again I will be in Savannah with the wife and dogs just for a weekend getaway.

Next week I will post after the evaluation is complete. I need to rent or buy some more DVDs to watch during the evaluation (they see there is a lot of down time) and I have watched everything here at the house including the Muppets take Manhattan.