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)