I don't usually like to talk about myself, but many expressed an interest in what was going on with me, so if you'll indulge me, I can relate my health saga.

Oh good lord, another near organ rejection epic? What is that, the fifth this week? Sixth?

t bapps back of Jeff's head

Please tell us what's up. I was worried.

Welcome back, Jeff!

And tell!

Welcome back, Jeff! Anxious to hear about your time away.

Welcome back Jeff! I hope this means you're out of the hospital for a while.

Welcome Back Jeff!!!

OK then. My kidney problems go back all the way to 1993, when I was in grad school trying to finish my doctoral dissertation. I experienced extreme shortness of breath, so I went to the clinic, and found that my blood pressure was sky-hihg (the looks that all the nurses gave me made me more worried than how I was feeling), so I was admitted immediately, and after some time in the hospital, it was determined that my kidneys weren't functioning properly. My shortness of breath was due to fluid overload, so I was put on dialysis. Fortunately, after about 6 months of dialysis, I recovered enough function in my kidneys to discontinue treatments. Unfortunately, the timing of my illness took me out of the time frame I had to finish my dissertation.

Fast forward to 1998, in my present job, when I started feeling ill again. I didn't have the breathing problems I had before, but people noticed I was jaundiced, and I was experiencing constant nausea and a smell of ammonia. My quack of a primary care physician kept treating symptoms until I begged him to run the regular blood tests for kidney function, and it was revealed that it had relapsed. I was placed on dialysis again, this time something called peritoneal dialysis, which can be done at home. At this time, I was placed on the transplant list.

After about 1 1/2 years on peritoneal dialysis, I came down with a severe pertioneal infection that put me in the hospital for about a month. From that point on, I was on a regular schedule of regular dialysis, 3 days a week, 4 hours a session. Fortunately, where I work was able to accommodate my time off (although they did make sure I still put in 40 hours a week). This lasted until May 2000.

In May 2000, near Memorial Day, I was preparing to visit my brother's family up in Ohin (my nephew's birthday in May 30). My parents had already headed north (they drive because my Mom doesn't fly), and the day before my flight, I got the call that a kidney was available. I went to Gainesville (the closest transplant center) and the surgery was successful. By the time my sister and brother-in-law could get there, I was already being wheeled into surgrery as I gave them the thumbs up.By the time my parents could get back, I was already out of recovery. I was only in the hospital for 5 days after the surgery, and took about 1 month to recover at home before I went back to work.

After 1 visit to the hospital about 5 months after the transplant for treatement for a cytomegalovirus infection (from the transplant itself), I'd been feeling well and my kidney function was working well. Lately, however, I had a bad head cold in December and February, and in the last weeks of March I began to experience shortness of breath (although not as bad as I had experienced before). I knew deep down that my kidney was probably not working well, so I went to the ER. Blood tests revealed that my kidney function had failed, so they transferred me back to Gainesville to try and revive my kidney.

This latest visit to the hospital did not go smoothly. I had a hard time getting clear imformation in what was going on with my health, and some complicatons occurred (a blood clot formed in my left arm). After a series of treatments, it was determined that my kidney revived to maintain fluid balance, but the kidney isn't clearing the blood well enough. I'm going back on dialysis 3 times a week (with sessions beginning at 6:00 AM (ugh)) and we'll see how my kidney responds for about a month. After that, if the function hasn't returned, we'll start working back up on the transplant list. I'm fortunate that I have family volunteers that match, if it is necessary to go that route.

I actually feel pretty good, but I tire easliy yet. The roughest part of being on dialysis is worrying about fluid intake (it is recommended not to exceed 1 - 1.5 liters of fluid per day), and avoiding high potassium, high phosphorous foods. I've been through this before, so I know I can handle it, and I'm just glad to be out and about again. Now I (continued...)

( continues...) have to catch up with 3 weeks worth of discussion.

DON'T STRESS YOUR KIDNEY CATCHING UP!

Good to see you back, Jeff, and I hope for the best in your treatment and health.

Jeff!! So glad you are back. What a harrowing thing you have been through. You are one strong cookie.