Not how I wanted to spend the weekend...

You were right when you said that the diet was "bland". Sometimes it tastes like cardboard and you can't believe that something that looks good tastes so blah. At least it doesn't taste bad. My wife was very good at changing diets as circumstances warranted. She has a computer for a brain and remembered all the details that the diet nurse gave her. I didn't stand a chance sneaking in something that I shouldn't. 

Will keep sending the thoughts and prayers your way for your complete reovery. 

Jim  

Wow, that sounds like a lot to go through in such a short time.  Good for you having a positive outlook despite everything.  I wish you the best, and for a full speedy recovery!

You're right about them needing to biopsy just the right tissues.  The first biopsy they did got too much of the inside of my kidney and not enough of the outer tissue.  Yesterday the doc explained that all but one of the slides they looked at showed the vasculitis.

The good news is they let me loose last night!  It was a little strange sleeping in a comfortable bed without all the background noise of a hospital, but I think I'll get used to it again.  Thank you all so much for your support and prayers.  I really can't express how much it means to me to know that you all were here for me.  

Vasculitis is inflammation of blood vessels and can occur in any blood vessels. They thought I had it in the ones supplying blood to sensory nerves, but it did not turn out to be true. I gather it can be hard to really verify since they have to biopsy the exact right vessels, ones that are affected. They may just take a guess for you and see how you respond to treatment. 

Good luck! I hope everything turns out great!

Bench time indeed!  This sounds like a very aggressive treatment, and for a long time.  I am sure you are going to miss those dirty teenagers very shortly.  Just be careful with your back while at the bench.  

This also sounds like a good time to get some good books and movies.

Not sure what a renal diet entails.  What are you allowed (or not allowed) to eat?  Inquiring minds want to know. 

I am sure you are looking forward to getting home.  The hospital is not a fun place to be, and oddly enough, a terrible place to try and get some rest.

Please take care of yourself and keep us posted.  I am sorry you have to go through this.

I am sure the Mrs. misses you (couldn't resist the pun).  Send her my regards, as this must have been a trial for her as well as yourself.

Your friend,

Dwayne

I had to convince my wife that I was only half-joking when I said she should bring a kit for me to work on while I'm sitting around.  Though the picture of the nurse holding the light is an amusing image...

I had my first round of chemo last night and it went very well, no real side effects to speak of at the moment, just wiped out today with a little naseua.  If things continue going smoothly they are looking to discharge me on Monday.  I'll have outpatient dialysis, chemo, and plasma exchanges for the next 6 months to a year, as well as antibiotics, steroids, and protein supplements.  Throw in a renal diet and I'm on the road to recovery.  The kidney doctor wants me to take three months off of work since my immune system is going to be shot and he doesn't want me exposed to a hundred dirty teenagers every day.  So things are looking up (except for the diet) and hopefully I can use those three months for some good bench time.

Hopefully they have on some good antibiotics.  Thats what cleared my similar issue up years ago.

silentbob33

So I'm still refusing to let this get me down and will keep on keeping on.  After all, I still have at least half my life to live,

That's the spirit ! Keep your chin up. you will get through this !

Take a few 1/72 kit's with you to work on while you watch whatever.

I "DARE" you to make the Nurse hold the worklight for you !

( Take a picture if you do,..... she will think it's for something "Importaint" ....... or your just plain nut's ! ) ( Either way..... it will make for a "interesting" story! )

That's the hint I needed! Joe Besser!  I could picture his face but the name just wasn't coming to me.  Now I'll be able to get some sleep tonight. 

As for an update, the results from the second biopsy will be back tomorrow.  Today they upgraded my temporary dialysis port to a permacath since I'll have to go to outpatient three times a week for awhile.  Tomorrow they're going to do an ultrasound of my heart from inside my esophagus to rule out one more thing before beginning treatment.  They think its vasculitis, an autoimmune disease.  My treatment for it will last a year and consist of steroids and a chemo drug.  It'll be harsh, but worth it in the end since they're all expecting me to make a full recovery.  It's going to be a long road, but at least I'm starting down the path now. 

While this obviously sucks to have happen, being in the hospital for the last week has really shown me that I really do still have it easy, and that there are people far worse off than I am.  So I'm still refusing to let this get me down and will keep on keeping on.  After all, I still have at least half my life to live, see my kids grow up, and build the ever-growing stash.  If I'm going to finish the stash I'm going to need at least 60 more years...

docidle

And the 4th Stooge was Shep

The 4th stooge was Shemp.....

I was asking Silent Bob if he knew who the 5th stooge was.

This 5th stooge didnt last very long ( I believe he was in only 2 short films )

He thought "getting a pie in the face " was beneath him, and didnt care for some of the other slapschtik either.

HINT: His first name start's with J.

Bob,

I hope you get better soon. And the 4th Stooge was Shep

Steve

silentbob33

Absolutely Baron, I'll take all the help, prayers, thoughts, and vibes I can get. Hopefully they can get the procedure done correctly tomorrow and the results that come back can confirm what the docs think. Apparently the treatment they have planned is going to be pretty rough and they want to be doubly sure they are right about it before they start. It will be a heck of a way to spend my birthday tomorrow. Maybe I can look at it like an anniversary sort of thing. I mean, I WAS in the hospital on my birthday at least once before right?

 

Hope they get the biopsy right this time, and results are better than they thought.

D

My prayers for a fast, full painless recovery.

Holy cow, Bob!  May I add my prayers for your speedy recovery?

Thanks TB, I'm working on it.

I'm a bit disappointed that the biopsy results were inconclusive because they went too deep into the kidney and didn't get enough of the surrounding tissue.  So I get to go do that again tomorrow along with another round of dialysis.  Oh well, it is what it is.  As bad as I am, I actually feel pretty good and being in the hospital only proves that there are others worse off than I am.  Here's hoping everything goes smoothly from here on out.

Hey ;

 I just stumbled on this .I will include you in our prayer list . Now , see , folks think that life is Hunky Dory if you appear healthy .I look fair for an old phart .Heart troubles and all . Arthritis thinks different though . Did you know that the forms of Arthritis we know are forms of Auto - Immune disorders ?

 This isn't as serious as your situation though .Get well , Darned it ! 

The Three Stooges! how cool! I would also try to catch up on some other clasics like the Outer Limits or such while your laying there.
You'll be in my prayers as well. The list just keeps getting longer, but I have the time.

Steve

silentbob33

I sat through a lot of dialysis sessions with my mom so I kind of have an idea of what to expect.

That's the spirit !   Just pretend your waiting for paint to dry.

( Yeah .... your right. That's no fun. )

I will leave it up to Curly, Mo, Larry, Shemp, and Curly Jo to raise your spirit's.

Sending you "Happy Thought's " and wishing you a speedy recovery.

P.S. There was one other Stooge ..... take some time and see if you can figure out his name.  No fair looking on-line ! You HAVE to watch their movie's to figure it out.

( Yes, this count's as "reasearch" .)  NYUK, NYUK, NYUK......

Sorry to hear about this.   I agree that anything by Mel Brooks can aid in healing.  You might be able to get some online research done too.

Hope you are feeling better soon, and will add you to my prayer list as well.

Strep is bad enough, but this is a real kick in the teeth.  Sounds like the docs think you will come out this OK, so put some faith in that.  You might have to have some "down time" when you get out of the hospital.  "Down time", I believe, is synonymous with "bench time".

Please keep us posted.

D

Oh my gosh! Was this all brought on from a bout with strep? I had strep over Thanksgiving and it was the first time in my life I had ever had it. I just thought it was a really, really, REALLY bad sore throat. Didn't realize it could mess a person up in other ways. I hope the docs are able to get you the right meds and get you back on your feet ASAP. Just be strong, think positive thoughts and get back to the work bench soon. I'm a firm believer in the thought that half, if not more, of the recovery involves a person's mental state along with their physical state. So, while you're recovering, make sure you watch things like "Blazing Saddles" and "Airplane!" several times!

Get well soon and let us know how you're doing.

Best wishes,

Eric

I’m sorry to hear of such bad news at the same time, you should be on your two feet soon.  I will send prayers to god for a quick remedial healing for you my friend.  The best of luck.

Your friend, Toshi