Be patient in trouble and always be prayerful

This past week we received good news that two people are testing to be a kidney donor. This is the best news we have heard in a long time. This means if they are a match I can get a kidney transplant sooner than we expected. Great opportunities are coming our way I just know it.First of all, I got asked to co lead a kidney support group at my church. It was something I had to think about because its out of my comfort zone. I think it would be a great ministry for me, besides your greatest hurt is your greatest ministry like I have mentioned before.

Recently I have been goingt through some changes with my prescription for dialysis. I usually go through dialysis in the night time for 10 hours every night 7 days a week. All that has changed  I not only do exchanges every night but every day two times a week. The doctor told me the reason why they changed my prescriptiom is because I wasn't getting the proper dialysis which is why I was always tired. So hopefully this makes a big difference.

One thing I wanted to mention is I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported Tory and I within the past 13 months. It has been a true blessing and we couldn't have made it without your presence and prayers. Even though the fight isn't over we would love for you to keep on praying for us.

Thank You

Mike Garcia
A kidney survivor

Timing??

God's timing is so precise and so accurate without any error it's something we cannot fathom. A year to us is like a day to him.There were a lot of events in my life maybe yours as well when we wanted something to happened at that very moment whether it be getting our license right away or landing that perfect job interview.The truth is God knows the future for your life and he has a detailed blue print of it. The blue pritnt of your life is what defines you and what your purpose is on this earth.He knows what is good for you and what is bad for you. He delays your wants because he loves you. An example of this in my life would be in my past searching for the right companion. No matter what I did it never worked out which led to disappointment and frustration. At that time I was not even a Christian so I was for sure looking at the wrong places. So I gave up and thought I might be single for quite a while. Not long after I was on the Internet chat room not looking for anything to do but to chat with anyone and a name popped up (Tory) we talked and talked for hours about life, art, music, and God. Nine years later we are happily married with a wiener dog named Bentley. Puting our hope in the one will not let you down. 

Job searching and staying hopeful

A month or two ago Tory and I decided that it would be a great idea for me to look for a job. Now that I am feeling better with the dialysis and getting use to it I think its best. It will not only give me a sense of purpose but give us an extra income.So there is this program called ticket to work which deals with people who are living with a disability. they help them with finding a job and they also have other services as well. I think this will benefit me a whole lot. I'm done with all of the paper work and I have been given the ok to go back to work from my doctor.Happy about that :)

On a different note, it's been 11 months since I have been on dialysis and I just can't explain to you how much God is shaping me and molding me into his image. Some of you may not get this but it's a true blessing to go through this because it shows me how powerful God is. When I'm weak he strengthens me. When I'm all alone he's there with me. When I cry he keeps a record of all my tears. Going through struggles is a blessing...it's a true blessing. When you are struggling don't ask God to get me out of this...instead ask God what do you want me to learn from this and praise him..believe me it's for your own benefit and his glory forever :)

"Please be my strength...please be my strength.. I don't have anymore...I don't have anymore" Gungor

Mike 

Looks like a new beginning

These past couple of weeks have been tough. Not only physical but also emotional draining. Not only the move was exhausting but being on dialysis It can make it ten times harder than it already is. It seems like after the move to Irvine everything has gone down hill. you may ask what went down hill well first of all my motivation to stay focus on my fitness, eating, and more importantly my spirituality. It's really been a roller coaster. Numerous people that I talked to that have been on dialysis tell me the number one thing to do is stay focus and fight. There are days when you don't want to get out of bed but you have to force yourself out of it. I have been through that already!!! It doesn't feel we'll. According to my PD nurse depression is a major problem in PD patients. I totally agree with her on that . Thats where my God comes into play in all of this. He is the true source for strength. 

You know in my opinion...we'll actually its not an opinion it's the truth. You don't know who God truly is in till you have reached rock bottom in your life because that is when we approach God in a humble and sincere way. The God that created the cosmos, The God that fed 5000 in the middle of the desert with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. If God can do all of this for his children wouldn't he do something simple such as healing you or me from our sickness or sin? Why do we question God? Our faith is  very weak.Everyday we put our faith into something Whether it be our brakes in our car. Hoping they don't fail and they work properly. Or a chair that we sit on that it doesn't collapse on us lol which can be very embarrassing.. That has happened to me before lol. I will tell you this reader I'm not sure if you Are a believer or not but I am a winner in all of  this...What do I mean? Either there is a God and I am saved from eternal Hell and that is when I'm a winner. Or there is no such thing as God and I have still lived a peaceful and joyful life while believing a made up religion and come up a winner.It's a win win situation!!!!! Lets be realistic both sound nice but the first one is better right and its true. If Im not convinced by now on who God really is then I'm not sure how much more evidence I need with the history to look at and looking at my life and how he carried me through the struggles. God is real and wants a relationship with you and I!!!!

Mike 

On the list!!!!!!

Last week I found out that I got on the kidney registry which is a huge relief for Tory and I. Took a while but with patience God was faithful and he delivered. It's just a matter of waiting for a kidney. It can take 1 day or 5 years but he will deliver again. 

God is great, God is good thank you for everything.Amen

Learned a lesson today from God's truth

Church was great tonight!! Talk about feeling the Holy Spirit tonight . I was high on the Holy Spirit..hope I didn't offend anyone on that remark if I did I'm sorry..if you are you can blame it on my wife because she made that up..hahahhaha....No seriously God was with me tonight and I just had a chat with him. He told me (I'm paraphrasing of course) Mike do you know that in the course of your sickness you are bringing glory to me? Not only after you die or if I choose to heal you, but during your trial. I got hit with the truth there. It's funny because I feel like I'm not bringing glory to God but I guess I was wrong because I asked my wife and she said yes. I won't talk about the specifics but people around us (friends,family) have expressed it to her.
I would just like to say if anyone is going through some kind of illness whether it be physical or mental and you are feeling hopeless and down I just want to say God cares and loves you there is powerful scripture to back that up "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son,so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 You are not an accident and you have a purpose. Look to him for Strength he is the only true source to that because we cannot do it alone.
My pastor once said "Our greatest weakness is our greatest ministry" Rick Warren. Finally!!! I know what my ministry is. Been searching for it... Here it is...Compassionate towards the ill. Praise God..

I mentioned last week that I had to partake on another test and I completed it,so I will find out the results hopefully this week. The nurse told me this is the last breathing test that I can have. When she told me that I was relieved to hear that. I'm curious to find out what's the next step? It's up to sharp hospital. What other test can they order? I will see this week I guess.


Pray Hard!!!!

Tory and I

A life of patience

I titled this blog life of patience because well its pretty self explanatory God is putting me through the waiting game and teaching me patience. I know it's for my own benefit as far as building perseverance and character but its tough. I am blessed for the amount of support I have from my family and friends

I was just told by my pulmonary doctor that I have to go through another test that would include a breathing test again. This test will determine if I have asthma or not. We cant go forward With the kidney transplant in till I take this test. I just want this tube out of my stomach already. The test is next Tuesday morning 

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

Pulmonary testing completed

Last week I went through testing for the problem that I have been having with my chest. I will find out the results on may 9th. However, their is one more test to complete and that is a lupus panel test which will determine if I have lupus or not.All this testing is for my kidney transplant it is mandatory in order to take the next step any further. Lupus testing was something that was done 14 years ago but I wouldn't be a bad idea to participate in that testing again. Their can be a chance the last test was inaccurate. Wouldn't it be a miracle if they found out that I didn't have lupus.

Sharp hospital called me a week or two ago and wanted to know what was the status on the testing and I told them I haven't got tested yet for my chest. They told me to get a hold of them as soon as I'm done with the testing. I'm grateful that they are on top of things and they care about my needs. I knew it in my heart that this was the perfect place to be. God has his hands on this for sure.

For about a month or more I have been working out. Been doing cardio on the treadmill for twenty minutes everyday. I'm gradually going up.. I'm using resistance bands for every part of my body. I can only used the bands because using free weights is hard on my joints and they will eventually will flair up. Also, I am taking vitamin B-12 for my joints which have been helping me a lot. Since I have been working out I have noticed a difference in my strength,fatigue,and my confidence. It is not easy completing my workout everyday. There are days where I don't feel like getting out of bed but I force myself to because that's all that I can do. Focus on God and my family..period


The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. (Proverbs 24:16 NLT)

Waiting waiting and waiting

As I mentioned on my last blog I got referred to a pulmonary specialist and today I saw the physician. He asked me why I was referred to him and I explained to him that I was having problems with my breathing. Then he asked me another set of questions. Prior to this appointment I had other tests done such as an angiogram and a breathing test. The angiogram test came out normal according to the physician but however the breathing test came out Abnormal. So the physician ordered a cat scan of my lungs and some more comprehensive tests. The physician said we should have all this done in 4-6 weeks. At that very moment a thought rushed into my mind "waiting waiting and waiting" but I erased that thought out of my mind and I pulled myself together and told God "God it's based on your timing not mine, I give you my worries, my doubts,my anguish, for you will deliver me out of this trial that I am facing at this moment of my life." Amen lord Jesus....what other God can perform miracles such as my God.A God who can tell a crippled person to walk again or A God who departs the Red Sea and last A God who controls the lions from not eating Daniel into shreds in the lions dean!!! My God is a just and faithful God full of grace and mercy!!

As far as the pain goes with the dialysis it his still there at times. My PD nurse changed my prescription which includes more fluid on my peritoneal cavity. So I have more of a beer belly than ever before lol.

I've said it once and I have said it a thousand times anyone who knows me I am always....always thankful for my wife!!!!! Who is maturing as a Christian women as god made her to be.

One step forward one step back!!!!!

I got a call from Sharp Transplant center today and I am sad to say we are one step back from being on the list. They told me that I have to see a pulmonary specialist before we can go any further. It so happened when I saw the surgeon a couple of weeks ago I explained to him about my problem with my shortness of breath at times and it seemed he was a little concern about it. So they want to run some tests on me to see if there is anything major going on. Plus I have to take a lupus panel test on top of that. I guess to confirm that I have lupus. The lady assured to me that It doesn't look like its going to affect my chances of getting a kidney transplant. So that's really assuring. Hopefully next week I can see the specialist and get this ball rolling!!! God has the best kidney in mind for me I know timing is everything.

Conquering health issues can fortify your faith in Christ tremendously.I think it's one of the hardest trials to go through during a person lifetime but It's a good way to build your spiritual muscle.

University of Irvine PD Clinic Staff

I'm very thankful to have these people by my side because without them life on PD would be more difficult then it already is!!!

The lady on the upper left hand corner of the picture is my PD nurse Insoo and the young man on the right is my Dietian John and the lady sitting down is my nurse.

I couldn't imagine keeping track of my blood work, nutrition, etc... It would be a lot of work on top of having PD everyday. They deserve a lot of credit. Thank You

Great News!!!!

Yesterday went to the kidney transplant center and got evaluated from my surgeon for the first time. As I mentioned in my last post this was my last evaluation in order to take the next step. The evaluation mainly consisted of answering questions and a physical exam. The surgeon explained to me what the procedure would be like and how long the recovery time will be. He also told me he doesn't think there will be a problem with me getting a kidney transplant.So that's good news!!!! So the next step goes to the committee and they will decide whether or not I am a good candidate or not. One step closer!!!!!'

As far as the pain goes...it is still there!! Some days are a lot worse than others. I will take peritoneal dialysis over hemo dialysis any day. The are so many benefits doing peritoneal dialysis over hemo. You can live a some what normal life. At this point in my life I'm just waiting for God to deliver.

I think what I'm really learning through all of this is being grateful for the smallest things. Air to breathe, eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to touch because that can be taken Away from you tomorrow. Never had a clue my kidneys would be taken away from me. But it is a blessing with the technology we have that I have an opportunity get a kidney transplant. So I have to keep reminding myself to look to God for strength and guidance everyday...and don't give up.

N.E.G.U

Last doctors Apointment

This coming Tuesday Tory and I are going to Sharp memorial Hospital for one last evaluation from  the kidney surgeon.After the evaluation there is a committee of professionals who will decide if I am a good candidate for a kidney transplant. If they decide I am a good candidate then family,friends, and even strangers will have the opportunity to test to see if they are in good standing to be a kidney donor. This requires a large amount of trust and faith in my God. This has been a long journey already but I truly believe in my heart that I have Gods favor. It's in his hands and its based on his timing not Tory's or mine. My prayer is that I will get a kidney transplant within 5 months that will mark a year since I have been on kidney dialysis. I know it can happen..anything can happened with God on my side!!

N.E.G.U

Red blood count was very low!!!! Hope that doesn't mean for a blood transfusion in the future

After receiving my weekly blood check up my nurse had told me my red blood count happened to be very low last week and The exact count was 8.5 which would be considered anemic. My hemoglobin target should be at 10-12. However, got good news today from my nurse and she said my hemoglobin jumped to 10.2 which is a huge relief. The reason why it jumped up is because of the increase injection that I take on a weekly basis called arenesp. Thanks to Tory who gives me the injection on the arm every week. Which is something I can never do myself....

PRAY HARD!!!

My dialysis machine

This Machine is right by my bed and its really important that I keep it very clean (Germ free) I plug myself in every night and its a 10 hour process throughout the night. The next morning I just go on with my day. Huge blessing for sure!!!!!! Other patients have the option to go to centers 3-4 times a week for 4 hour periods which is something I didn't want to do because I want to have a normal life. Its hard enough living with two chronic Illness let alone going to the center every week. I couldn't  pull through and stay strong without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for his strength and my wife as been my rock to lean on when times get tough.

 

Kidney Support Group at (Saddleback Church)

I was told about a support group at my church. Here is all of the information just in case if anyone is intrested. Its a safe place to express your struggles.


Finding hope through education, fellowship and faith
Meeting Schedule:
2nd sat of each month @ 2 pm
4th Monday of each month @11 am
Location: Saddleback Church Peace Center (Lake Forest)

For more information or directions call
Helen Mills Phone: 949 - 412 - 3210
Support Group Leader e-mail: sparkymiss@cox.net

Its never too late to start!!!!

It took alot of motivation and encouragement to start this blog. I started Peritoneal dialysis in August and we are now in the seventh month on dialysis. A lot has happened within these months. First month was a disaster and when I say disaster I mean like a tornado came into my life:) As far as the physical pain I had to go through it was like no other pain I have gone through. Getting use to it was a tough task. Just imagine having a powerful vacuum in your stomach and sucking everything out. That's the best way I can describe it. Besides the physical pain. I was having insurance problems. It turns out that my insurance (Health net) does not cover the dialysis center that I was attending which was UCI medical center.It was very confusing because I see all my other doctors at UCI medical center. So it took weeks to sort all of the confusion and my insurance finally authorized me to attend UCI dialysis center. After that we had to find a Transplant center that was even more confusing because our plans were to attend the UCI transplant center but again their were complications with the insurance company. After weeks of fighting with Health Net we got denied from attending UCI transplant center but I am still a patient at the UCI dialysis center.( CONFUSING???) Yes I know.... It wasn't in til my wife told me about a support group at our church that helps people that are going through kidney dialysis. We attended and met a wonderful couple who also went through what we went through. They suggested a great transplant center by the name of Sharp Hospital in San Diego. We called and made an appointment and it took months to go through the process which was totally understandable. To fast forward.....I have a doctors appointment with one more doctor and after that people that want to start testing to be a kidney donor can start after the approval from the doctor. So far we have 4-5 people that want to start testing which is a great blessing...Just have to pray that someone will be a match..

I know with all the complications and run arounds Tory and I had to go through we honestly believe that God is in control and its based on his timing and not ours.

Thanks

First Blog!!!!! I am an official blogger

 Welcome to my blog.The purpose of this blog is to share my life experiences dealing with the complications that I have to face with Lupus and peritoneal dialysis. Also, my goal is for people that are dealing with lupus or kidney disease can have some sort of communication outlet with their peers and share suggestions or even their frustrations with one another.Here are some links about Lupus and Kidney disease.
www.lupus.org    www.kidney.org

Thanks

I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me. (Philippians 4:13 KJV)