Surgery Scheduled

Today Jim had his pre-op appointment for his fistula surgery. It is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15th. While it is done as an outpatient procedure, it is still a 1-2 hour procedure done under general anesthetic. Dr. Patrick Geraghty is the vascular surgeon performing the surgery at Barnes.

Here is a better explanation of what will happen....

An AV fistula is a dialysis access that is created by connecting an artery to a vein during a short surgery. AV fistulas can be created anywhere from the wrist through the upper arm.

 

The process of hemodialysis requires that blood pass through an artificial kidney. With a fistula, blood from the arterial side of the fistula passes through a needle into the artificial kidney, is cleaned, and returns to the body through a needle in the venous side. A fistula is useful because arteries are deep in your body and would be difficult to get an access needle into.

The recovery time is pretty quick and complications are minimal.

In the mean time, I continue to work on my blood pressure. I started Weight Watchers 3 weeks ago in hopes of losing weight which would help with my blood pressure. I have increased by blood pressure medication and go back to my doctor on Monday. While I would love to have a handful of Oreos and milk for a snack tonight.... I'm going to settle for an orange.

Once I can get my blood pressure under control, hopefully we're on our way for a transplant and this whole fistula surgery will have been for nothing. Keep praying......

I Wish....

I wish there was a cure for PKD.....
I wish Jim could sit in his chair without falling asleep....
I wish Jim could eat a big 2" steak that he loves so much....
I wish Jim would never have to go through dialysis....
I wish Jim could sleep without a big fleece blanket covering him....
I wish it was a law that every deceased person's organs would be donated to someone in need....
I wish my blood pressure would come down....
I wish I could lose weight then maybe my blood pressure would come down....
I wish Jim didn't get gout and that the medicine he takes for it wouldn't make him sick....
I wish Jim had the energy he once had....
I wish Jim didn't have to go for blood work every month....
I wish Jim didn't have to have a fistula put in his arm in anticipation of dialysis...
I wish I was stronger....
I wish Lorraine was still here...

I wish wishes came true....

Next Step....Fistula

Today was Jim’s 3 month checkup with Dr. Rothstein his kidney doctor. While his kidney function continues to deteriorate, he still is feeling good. He actually gained weight, which the doctor said was a good sign.  Once he starts to lose weight, has no appetite, (yea….like that’s ever going to happen), or has a metallic taste in his mouth, those are signs that the toxins in his body are building up from lack of kidney function and would then have to start dialysis.

His next step is to have a fistula put into his arm for when or if he would have to start hemodialysis. A fistula is an enlarged vein (usually in your arm), created by connecting an artery directly to a vein. Connecting the artery to the vein creates much greater blood flow into the vein. As a result, the vein enlarges and strengthens, making inserting of needles for hemodialysis treatments easier.  This is done as an outpatient procedure by a vascular surgeon. Lois, the nurse coordinator, is setting up an appointment with a surgeon to have this done in the next few weeks.

It is best to have this done ahead of starting dialysis. If you wait too long and may require dialysis sooner than expected, and do not have a fistula for access, a catheter is inserted into your neck or leg as a temporary access.

Vicki, the social worker, came in and talked to us about dialysis. While our plan is to still have a living donor transplant, she has to tell us all the options in case that doesn’t happen. She told us about Dr. Koch who has a dialysis center in Fairview Heights that they refer patients to. While it would be more convenient, Jim seems to like them at the Barnes dialysis center and would be ok going there.

Dr. Rothstein then came in and wanted to make sure we knew of all the dialysis options. He talked about peritoneal dialysis (which is what Lorraine did at home).  It is done with a machine while you sleep every night. Initially this was Jim’s 1^st choice, but with his work schedule, it may not be viable. I think he is finally ok with the hemodialysis. Our hope is that he won’t have to make that choice.

I am still working on my blood pressure with one medication. I see my doctor next week and hopefully we will be able to find something that works.

Jim has to now start going once a month now for blood work and will continue to see the doctor every 2 months.Please keep him in your prayers.....

My Thoughts....I can't help wonder how many people are not organ donors. I hope you have the organ donor box checked on your drivers license and talk to your family about it. This simple thing could save so many lives. Someday YOU may need it.