Ok now.... It has been almost 3 weeks since my last chemo, and I am feeling much better lately. I still tire quickly, but things are getting better for sure.
On the agenda this week, dialysis class at the dialysis center on Wed, “vein mapping” with the vascular surgeon on Fri. Next week likely out patient surgery to create a fistula, and install a port. These are to facilitate dialysis, which will begin after my kidneys are removed on June 18th.
There is still no way to stage my cancer..... that will happen after the kidneys go to the pathology lab..... Stage 1, 89% chance to survive 5 years, stage 4, 16% chance to survive 5 years. Of course, hoping for a good report.
Another interesting statistic..... average life span of people going on to dialysis..... 4.5 years. Yikes, but not as bad as it sounds. That stat includes all of the people who lost kidney function due to other diseases that are ultimately terminal. I am not sure how much that affects the numbers.
It is said that everybodies cancer is different, and that “you are not a statistic”. Ok, but the numbers are real, and I notice that they bounce around in the back of my mind, and find their way into my daily decisions. I have noticed that I am giving things away, finally setting up that Living Trust, and generally just “getting my affaires in order”. Not really a conscious decision, just things that I notice.
I expect that this next month will be the best that I will feel for a long time. I am not sure how one feels while on dialysis, but I am sure that you spend a fair amount of time with blood chemistry that is not optimal. I am hoping to minimize this issue by getting set up with “home hemo” dialysis. I know that it sounds slightly pornographic, but really is a home set up of the same system that they use at the dialysis center. The difference is that you get to dialyze everyday, and probably spend more time in the “sweet spot” of blood chemistry. Additionally, you are able to drink more liquids, and eat a less restrictive diet. It is not for the squeamish though, as you are stabbing yourself with large needles, but I think that it is the healthiest way to survive dialysis.
I will have more details regarding all of this in the near future.
Monday, May 19, 2014
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2 comments:
I hope you can arrange to do the home dialysis because I know how independent you are. But at the same time, like most men, you tend to think you don't need medical attention even when things are going downhill fast. So assuming you still have to check in with medical folks frequently to monitor things, I hope you are able to have the home treatment.
I can't even imagine how hard it is to deal with both kidneys being removed....not just from a physical standpoint but it has to be very tough psychologically and emotionally too. I am praying for you - wish you were closer so we could do more.
Thanks Peg, I am learning more about dialysis, and don't think that I am going to like it very much. More in the next post.
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