Re: Another Dave update

[Guest guest]

Please continue to keep Dave in your prayers too

Sending prayers right out to you and your family . Hang in there.

~*~ ~*~Vote for your city's best dining and nightlife. City's Best 2008.

[Guest guest]

Hugs ....Hang in there...Darcy

Dave saw the kidney doc on Thursday and the news is not what we were hoping for. As of a blood test taken the week before, his kidney function is exactly where it was 2 weeks before that, which is stable but not improving. The doctor did not leave us with a lot of hope that he would fully recover or even recover much more. We were told to prepare for dialysis and/or kidney transplant sometime in the future but there's no knowing when. He's at 21% functioning now and they do dialysis at 15%. We're waiting for information from her office regarding a dialysis preparation class and at some point he'll probably have something inserted in his arm that will make it easy for them to do dialysis when and if the time comes, thus keeping it from being dealt with as an emergency. We're okay with the preparations. We realize it might be inevitable and prefer to approach it as prepared as possible and not in an emergency situation. At this time the doc's plan is to monitor him closely, with monthly blood draws for now (checking kidney function through the creatinine level) and seeing him in her office every 2 months. She'll call us regarding the in-between visit blood tests with results each time. It is possible, especially if the level goes up (bad) or stays stable again that next month we'll be going to U of M for a pre-transplant evaluation too but she wasn't ready to do that with him just yet. The cause is still unknown but strongly suspected to be an extremely rare reaction to a prescription med he was taking. He can get a needle biopsy done that would probably nail down the cause but, based on other test results, is unlikely to change the management of his condition so we're not sure yet if we're going to do it but at this time are leaning towards not. He's working full time and has no restrictions on him other than the cautions to stay hydrated at all times and to not overdo physically. We saw a registered dietician too and she gave us a few bits of information we didn't already have including ideas for helping him gain weight. He's up about 8 pounds over the last few weeks so that is really good (when you think about me being a Weight Watchers leader, I'm sure you can see some strange irony in that part). They are also treating his anemia (which is affected by kidney function) with shots to help boost red blood cell production. He gets one a month and that seems to be helping too (he's not falling asleep in front of the TV every night anymore).

We're focused on just being a normal family and the kids seem fine especially because Dad doesn't seem sick and even appears to be better because his energy level is higher. We're planning for some kind of getaway this summer, just making sure it is within easy range of medical attention if necessary (not that I was planning on any kind of deep wilderness camping trip anyway). We'll, I'm sure, get stressed the week after each blood draw, waiting for results, but otherwise, we're trying to leave it in God's hands... there's not a whole lot we can do otherwise and worrying will not make anything better.

I'll send out updates if there are any changes but not otherwise but as always, please feel comfortable asking how he is, we're comforted by your caring and concern. Please continue to keep Dave in your prayers too, we appreciate them more than we can say. If there's anyone I left off this list (I added some names this time) please feel free to forward my note to them. Thank you.

[Guest guest]

I'm hanging! The hugs help a lot too, thanks Darcy!!

Re: Another Dave update

Hugs ....Hang in there...Darcy

On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 2:24 PM, nancydewolf <nancydewolfsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote:

Dave saw the kidney doc on Thursday and the news is not what we were hoping for. As of a blood test taken the week before, his kidney function is exactly where it was 2 weeks before that, which is stable but not improving. The doctor did not leave us with a lot of hope that he would fully recover or even recover much more. We were told to prepare for dialysis and/or kidney transplant sometime in the future but there's no knowing when. He's at 21% functioning now and they do dialysis at 15%. We're waiting for information from her office regarding a dialysis preparation class and at some point he'll probably have something inserted in his arm that will make it easy for them to do dialysis when and if the time comes, thus keeping it from being dealt with as an emergency. We're okay with the preparations. We realize it might be inevitable and prefer to approach it as prepared as possible and not in an emergency situation. At this time the doc's plan is to monitor him closely, with monthly blood draws for now (checking kidney function through the creatinine level) and seeing him in her office every 2 months. She'll call us regarding the in-between visit blood tests with results each time. It is possible, especially if the level goes up (bad) or stays stable again that next month we'll be going to U of M for a pre-transplant evaluation too but she wasn't ready to do that with him just yet. The cause is still unknown but strongly suspected to be an extremely rare reaction to a prescription med he was taking. He can get a needle biopsy done that would probably nail down the cause but, based on other test results, is unlikely to change the management of his condition so we're not sure yet if we're going to do it but at this time are leaning towards not. He's working full time and has no restrictions on him other than the cautions to stay hydrated at all times and to not overdo physically. We saw a registered dietician too and she gave us a few bits of information we didn't already have including ideas for helping him gain weight. He's up about 8 pounds over the last few weeks so that is really good (when you think about me being a Weight Watchers leader, I'm sure you can see some strange irony in that part). They are also treating his anemia (which is affected by kidney function) with shots to help boost red blood cell production. He gets one a month and that seems to be helping too (he's not falling asleep in front of the TV every night anymore).

We're focused on just being a normal family and the kids seem fine especially because Dad doesn't seem sick and even appears to be better because his energy level is higher. We're planning for some kind of getaway this summer, just making sure it is within easy range of medical attention if necessary (not that I was planning on any kind of deep wilderness camping trip anyway). We'll, I'm sure, get stressed the week after each blood draw, waiting for results, but otherwise, we're trying to leave it in God's hands... there's not a whole lot we can do otherwise and worrying will not make anything better.

I'll send out updates if there are any changes but not otherwise but as always, please feel comfortable asking how he is, we're comforted by your caring and concern. Please continue to keep Dave in your prayers too, we appreciate them more than we can say. If there's anyone I left off this list (I added some names this time) please feel free to forward my note to them. Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much !!

Re: Another Dave update

In a message dated 6/9/2008 3:25:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time, nancydewolfsbcglobal (DOT) net writes:

Please continue to keep Dave in your prayers too

Sending prayers right out to you and your family . Hang in there.

~*~ ~*~

Vote for your city's best dining and nightlife. City's Best 2008.

[Guest guest]

What prescription drug do the Dr's think caused the kidney damage? I will keep your husband, you and your family in my prayers, Jennancydewolf wrote: Dave saw the kidney doc on Thursday and the news is not what we were hoping for. As of a blood test taken the week before, his kidney function is

exactly where it was 2 weeks before that, which is stable but not improving. The doctor did not leave us with a lot of hope that he would fully recover or even recover much more. We were told to prepare for dialysis and/or kidney transplant sometime in the future but there's no knowing when. He's at 21% functioning now and they do dialysis at 15%. We're waiting for information from her office regarding a dialysis preparation class and at some point he'll probably have something inserted in his arm that will make it easy for them to do dialysis when and if the time comes, thus keeping it from being dealt with as an emergency. We're okay with the preparations. We realize it might be inevitable and prefer to approach it as prepared as possible and not in an emergency situation. At this time the doc's plan is to monitor him closely, with monthly blood draws for now (checking kidney function through the creatinine level) and seeing him in her office

every 2 months. She'll call us regarding the in-between visit blood tests with results each time. It is possible, especially if the level goes up (bad) or stays stable again that next month we'll be going to U of M for a pre-transplant evaluation too but she wasn't ready to do that with him just yet. The cause is still unknown but strongly suspected to be an extremely rare reaction to a prescription med he was taking. He can get a needle biopsy done that would probably nail down the cause but, based on other test results, is unlikely to change the management of his condition so we're not sure yet if we're going to do it but at this time are leaning towards not. He's working full time and has no restrictions on him other than the cautions to stay hydrated at all times and to not overdo physically. We saw a registered dietician too and she gave us a few bits of information we didn't already have including ideas for

helping him gain weight. He's up about 8 pounds over the last few weeks so that is really good (when you think about me being a Weight Watchers leader, I'm sure you can see some strange irony in that part). They are also treating his anemia (which is affected by kidney function) with shots to help boost red blood cell production. He gets one a month and that seems to be helping too (he's not falling asleep in front of the TV every night anymore). We're focused on just being a normal family and the kids seem fine especially because Dad doesn't seem sick and even appears to be better because his energy level is higher. We're planning for some kind of getaway this summer, just making sure it is within easy range of medical attention if necessary (not that I was planning on any kind of deep wilderness camping trip anyway). We'll,

I'm sure, get stressed the week after each blood draw, waiting for results, but otherwise, we're trying to leave it in God's hands... there's not a whole lot we can do otherwise and worrying will not make anything better. I'll send out updates if there are any changes but not otherwise but as always, please feel comfortable asking how he is, we're comforted by your caring and concern. Please continue to keep Dave in your prayers too, we appreciate them more than we can say. If there's anyone I left off this list (I added some names this time) please feel free to forward my note to them. Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Sorry, I'm really behind on postings...

Asacol.

Re: Another Dave update

What prescription drug do the Dr's think caused the kidney damage? I will keep your husband, you and your family in my prayers, Jennancydewolf <nancydewolfsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote:

Dave saw the kidney doc on Thursday and the news is not what we were hoping for. As of a blood test taken the week before, his kidney function is exactly where it was 2 weeks before that, which is stable but not improving. The doctor did not leave us with a lot of hope that he would fully recover or even recover much more. We were told to prepare for dialysis and/or kidney transplant sometime in the future but there's no knowing when. He's at 21% functioning now and they do dialysis at 15%. We're waiting for information from her office regarding a dialysis preparation class and at some point he'll probably have something inserted in his arm that will make it easy for them to do dialysis when and if the time comes, thus keeping it from being dealt with as an emergency. We're okay with the preparations. We realize it might be inevitable and prefer to approach it as prepared as possible and not in an emergency situation. At this time the doc's plan is to monitor him closely, with monthly blood draws for now (checking kidney function through the creatinine level) and seeing him in her office every 2 months. She'll call us regarding the in-between visit blood tests with results each time. It is possible, especially if the level goes up (bad) or stays stable again that next month we'll be going to U of M for a pre-transplant evaluation too but she wasn't ready to do that with him just yet. The cause is still unknown but strongly suspected to be an extremely rare reaction to a prescription med he was taking. He can get a needle biopsy done that would probably nail down the cause but, based on other test results, is unlikely to change the management of his condition so we're not sure yet if we're going to do it but at this time are leaning towards not. He's working full time and has no restrictions on him other than the cautions to stay hydrated at all times and to not overdo physically. We saw a registered dietician too and she gave us a few bits of information we didn't already have including ideas for helping him gain weight. He's up about 8 pounds over the last few weeks so that is really good (when you think about me being a Weight Watchers leader, I'm sure you can see some strange irony in that part). They are also treating his anemia (which is affected by kidney function) with shots to help boost red blood cell production. He gets one a month and that seems to be helping too (he's not falling asleep in front of the TV every night anymore).

We're focused on just being a normal family and the kids seem fine especially because Dad doesn't seem sick and even appears to be better because his energy level is higher. We're planning for some kind of getaway this summer, just making sure it is within easy range of medical attention if necessary (not that I was planning on any kind of deep wilderness camping trip anyway). We'll, I'm sure, get stressed the week after each blood draw, waiting for results, but otherwise, we're trying to leave it in God's hands... there's not a whole lot we can do otherwise and worrying will not make anything better.

I'll send out updates if there are any changes but not otherwise but as always, please feel comfortable asking how he is, we're comforted by your caring and concern. Please continue to keep Dave in your prayers too, we appreciate them more than we can say. If there's anyone I left off this list (I added some names this time) please feel free to forward my note to them. Thank you.