The Kidney Question

In the midst of everything that has been going on a question arose, “what about my kidneys?”.

Last August the symptoms that led to my original diagnosis of minimal change disease came back. As soon as I spotted the signs I quickly scurried to the doctor and begin taking the prednisone again. I was disappointed with the news but knew there was nothing I could do about it.

Fast forward a month and we were celebrating the joyous news of our baby. I was quick to Google the effects of prednisone of an unborn baby and was surprised to learn that despite the possibility of a cleft palate, things looked safe. I started seeing a specialist at Maternal and Fetal Medicine as well as my high-risk OB and continued seeing my nephrologist.

Despite the annoyance of continually having appointments, things were going well. She was on pace with her growth and I was doing well. My kidneys were not leaking protein and my blood pressure was in the normal range. So, you can imagine our shock when we received the news the doctors could not find her heartbeat. Up until that appointment we were passing every test with flying colors and there were no causes for concern.

Obviously the doctors were concerned with the effect the pregnancy could have on my kidneys, so they took what seemed like a hundred tubes of blood at the hospital. Everything looked good for me. My kidneys continued to show healthy results.

I just had my first appointment with the nephrologist since everything happened. After talking about everything it was quickly determined that my “relapse” was actually the pregnancy. I’m thankful for the silver lining this brings because it means that my kidneys have continued to do their job. Of course, I wonder if the treatment had anything to do with the loss of Emerson, but I cannot allow myself to go down that “what if” path. 

So where does that leave us now? Some of you may have seen my tweet:

I've had a lot of anxiety about this. Prednisone (the steroid I'm on) can have lasting effects on the body, not to mention it completely stops ovulation. TMI? To be blunt, I do not like being on it. I am thankful for the way it helped me after the original diagnosis, but it's been very taxing on me. Also, if we ever hope to have another baby I cannot be on it. 

I went into my appointment fearful of what she would say to my request. Imagine my surprise when she mentioned her plans to have me taper off completely! I was overjoyed to hear this news! It will take about two months to completely remove it from my daily medicine rotation, but at least it will be gone. 

I continue to ask for your prayers as this happens. Prayers for the taper to go well and for my kidneys to respond healthily. Prayers that my body remains on the path to permanent health.

Many thanks.

Surgery? Um, OK

That was my exact response to the orthopedic surgeon yesterday morning. I need surgery? Um, OK. Let me back up and start the story from the beginning. . .

A little over two months ago I started getting a bit of a sore spot on my foot. Well, the sore spot grew and it grew and it grew. I saw my general physicians who took some x-rays. He determined it was benign and that it was likely caused by overuse and the thinning of my bones due to the steroids for my kidneys. The steroids strike again! He prescribed some antibiotics and I was on my way.

Two weeks later it was still there and the pain was getting worse. Ugh. I called The Momma, who moonlights as a nurse when she's not a momma to the Wardlets, who suggested I see the orthopedic doctor for his opinion. This brings us to yesterday. It took him less than five minutes to diagnose it as a fatty cyst that needed to go. Fun. I met with his scheduling nurse who told me it looked like it would be a few weeks until he could fit me in. While this would be after our trip to the beach with the hubby's family, it would also be right before my school district's summer conference at which I am presenting. Crutching around during a presentation? No, thank you! I went out on a limb and asked if she had any appointments open for the next day, even though it was super short notice. I was in luck-there had been a cancellation!

That brought us to today and this:

Lovely, right? My surgery was scheduled for 10:45, which meant they wanted us there at 9:15 for prep and such. We met with multiple nurses, the anesthesiologist, the orthopedic doctor, and others over the course of an hour and a half. A little before 11 they injected a concoction of drugs into my IV and things got spotty from there. I don't remember rolling down the hall, but I remember looking at some lights in a different room. The next thing I know I'm groggily being woken up by a nurse asking if I want a drink. Huh? I glance down and I have a lovely wrap around my foot.

 No, I wasn't on any meds at all

I was still pretty groggy for the next bit. I don't remember David coming in, but I do remember the nurse bringing me a drink which was before David arrived. Anywho, after some time of waking up, and apparently raving about how wonderful the hospital was compared to my last hospital visit, we were on our way! We headed to Moe's for lunch to pig out. After not eating for well over 12 hours I was in desperate need of some food.

Here I am now on the couch where I will be camped out for the foreseeable future. It's a week on crutches and completely off my foot, two weeks out of water, and three weeks until I can wear closed-toed shoes. Bah humbug.

Any shows suggestions on Netflix or HuluPlus??

Friday's Letters [05.18]

It's another FANTASTIC Friday with Adventures of Newlyweds!

Dear week, I thought you would never end. I am oh so appreciative of the fact that you are now done. This means that we have less than two weeks left of this dreadfully long month.

Dear hair, puh-leeze stop falling out. When I heard all the side-effects of prednisone I never thought your departure would be one of them. The good news is I have a lot of you. The bad news is I have a lot of you and you are showing up in our drains, on my brushes, and pretty much every where. Please stay on my head.

Dear students, Thank you so much for all your hard work this week. I know you have been at your absolute wit's end with all this testing but all your teachers appreciate your effort on the tests! Just a few more weeks until you are free from us for an entire summer!

Dear Kelsey, We are so excited to see you marry the love of your life on Saturday!! I know you are going to be a gorgeous bride and that Casey won't know what to do with himself when he sees you walk down that aisle.

 A picture of us freshman year at NCSU

Dear Harris Teeter, I really appreciate the triple coupons this week. I spent $43 but was able to save $86! How about you triple coups more often? Appreciate it!

Dear Davido, I honestly don't even know where to begin. You have been such an amazing support system these past few weeks with all the crazy going on. Every time I feel like I am going to crumble you prevent me from falling. I am so grateful for your utter amazingness and cannot wait to have an actual date night tonight!! I promise to try my best not to fall asleep before 8;-)

Dear cows, Thank you for entertaining the princess last night. You saved me hours of tossing the frisbee around the backyard.