Hey guys, how are you?
I got out of the hospital on Sat the 16th.
I am in medical terms in End Stage Renal Disease. I have Berger's Disease
which is a protein attacking, auto immune disease that scars the kidneys and
renders them useless. My kidneys are less than 10 % effective. I should have
been diagnosed a lot earlier but my internist never did a simple blood test
or urinalysis. It probably wouldn't have changed the outcome but it could
have been slowed down with medication and diet changes. The doctor looked for
exotic reasons for my high blood pressure. So get the routine tests done by
your Drs.
Sorry I haven't been more responsive on my emails but I 've had a lot on my plate; been reading a lot about renal failure, renal diets, changes in lifestyle etc. Changes in eating will be the hardest for me. If food doesn't have sodium, it has potassium.
I'm starting to feel less overwhelmed with all my life changes. But overall feeling better; I'm on dialysis Tues., Thurs. and Sat mornings. It's not bad at all; very uneventful. But it will be my routine from now on. I guess I'm still in denial; it doesn't feel like it should be me; it's my cloned brother that I see three times a week. Top it all; the medications have constipated me something fierce which irritates hemorrhoids. "Nothing worse than a Pollock with a sore ass." Boy I could beat up on some GI's if it were 30 yrs earlier. But, as they say, this too shall pass. Believe it or nor, my wife has lost our address book that has everyone that we ever knew and their addresses. Things got a little topsy turvy here. But now maybe we can settle in and get things ready for the holidays. I thank all of you for your prayers, cards, letters , and emails; it is great to be remembered and thought of. My next reunion be all the most rewarding. Serious life changes has a way of making you aware of your mortality and appreciate what is important in life. This will probably be my best Christmas ever.
May you all have a Happy and Joyous Holiday Season. God Bless.
Joe