Urologist

Yup - the next in the medical series! Boy, these guys do support each other. Today it's the preliminary exam to ensure that my PSA of 4 is "normal" The exam was - well - yes - what you might expect.

Initial reports indicate that things are close to normal upon first glance. My doc seemed to know his stuff ( all of them so far have) and has seen quite a few renal transplants in his residency - a good thing. More blood work coming to review the numbers and the exam and then an ultrasound. If that comes out ok with the PSA numbers lower, then that will be all in this exam line. On the other hand, if numbers are up and the ultrasound is questionable, then a biopsy is in the future (ouch!)

When we discussed the surgical plan, if there is a live donor, he was right up front. It's not pleasant and pretty painful. Both the old kidneys go (he feels like they do at Duke - they gotta make an exit) and the new one comes in above the left hip. The fun is in the anti-rejection meds and making sure they work and are balanced.

I'm still boyant and doing fine - next festival is coming right after the bloodwork!
He concurred that I should stay active - best plan - so I am!

Stay centered!
T & B-n-N

PKD basics

Have had a few "what IS PKD?" questions...
Here's a basic overview on the web
http://www.nhpress.com/pkd/basics.html

Tim & duo

Information update

Several have asked about the requirements for prospective donors.
If you or someone you know that knows me as well feel that you would like to have more information on live kidney donation, two of my friends are helping out with some of the process. They're certainly guardian angels in disguise!

Special thanks to Monica and Jeanne!
Drop an e-mail for more info with frequently asked questions to
jeanne.christopherson@verizon.net
Pax
Tim & kids

Openings

Yes - since I was 6 I figured that I would find myself here. Dad died when I was 6 and everyone said "you are so much like your father" I was flattered beyond belief - still am. Dad was a WONDERFUL man! very kind and full of compassion and I was his right-hand kid! What ever dad was involved in, I wanted to be there, so I did all kinds of elevator and escalator repair visits with him. He was an Otis Elevator repairman and I still have a love for elevators! It's a rare and good thing that, each time I step on a "people mover" device, I can remember him with great fondness. It's only natural that I wanted to be just like him - so I guess the good and bad come together!

I've known, although the doctors didn't confirm this until I was about 28, that PKD was there. They found out, but couldn't make any predictions about the progression of the disease.

That's one of the problems of PKD - no doctor will ever make a guess about the "when will this happen". Even now, they hedge their bets.... the doctor said "A year - maybe two' but when I talked with the nurse who interviews prosopective donors she said "well - we have a few months!" There is a gap there somewhere, but I refuse to worry about that!

About three weeks ago all this was set into motion with a visit to Duke to see what they thought. They thought it was time NOW when I was hoping for 4-5 years. Ah well! Life is what happens while you're doing all the other things that makes life fun!

SO - more blood tests and explorations of things like the interior of the brain to make sure that the artery/vein system has no potential time bombs. That's what took my dad, and his sister and my grandfather as well. Cranial Aneurysm.

Today it was the stress test! The first one was the preliminary I think, where you go up to the receptionist and begin to register and find that you are not on the patient list - no where. THAT is stress! I think they check your reaction before they put you on the treadmill!

Went back today and was taken in. (relief!) They tried to put the adhesive strips on the chest as is, but the hair that vacated the top of my cranium has reappeared on the chest. Finally they shaved 2 inch patches (not well) all over the upper chest and mid-section. I looked like a hound with mange. Now all the clips and off to the races on the treadmill. I made it within 6 to my expected heartrate, so I guess I did ok! I studied really hard!

In the "too much info" department...when I got home I surveyed the 8 strange areas that were semi-hairless and very itchy and made a decision. Removal! YUP!! Shaved it ALL off!

I'm figuring that I'll be shaved several times before this surgery, so why not just do it and do it well? OFF with the hair!

Enough of this for today - looking toward tomorrow and Thursday for the urologist. More fun at different body locations TMI!

Stay content
Tim & Twins

Tim