the "beginning" of sorts

hello all,

i am starting this to keep everyone informed about my kidney journey because i know you all care and this is the best way to keep everyone informed. yay technology!

first things first: i had an appointment this morning with my doctor and found our how to proceed with what's going on. it looks like my blood levels (creatinine, hemoglobin, potassium, iron, etc) are all showing that i need to start dialysis pretty soon and that a transplant is the only thing that will work from this point on.

that being said, i'm actually very excited about this news. although surgery and all that jazz is scary as shit, it's quite nice knowing there is a definite solution and i don't need to be wasting my time with these pointless meds and guessing games as to what's wrong.

the tricky part is definitely working this in while finishing my last semester, but nothing is going to keep me from finishing (that's what she said.)

well now on to what i know in relation to the transplant procedure:

1. i need to contact Methodist Specialty Transplant Hospital in San Antonio -- it's the closest facility my insurance covers.

2. attend a meeting tomorrow afternoon about the details for dialysis and make my decision as to which way i will do dialysis until i can get a transplant

3. Personal evaluation (by Methodist Specialty): tests to see if my body is able/good for a transplant

4. A committee from the facility I choose makes the final decision

5. I am put on the waiting list at their facility

6. after initial evaluation is completed, I can request to be added to another facility’s list without redoing the eval process. They would just use my initial tests/reviews

7. Possible donors are tested to see if they are a match and if they’re able/good to donate

i. immediate family members are tested/covered

ii. other people wanting to be tested need to have their insurance worked out/will have to pay something

8. when match is found, I give the go ahead for the operation

9. the insurance assign me a case manager for 90 days to see how I’m doing/if I understand, am okay with the medicine/fill out and file my paperwork/etc

and so far that's what i know. i'll post again after tomorrow's meeting about dialysis. oh, also, i'm reducing my cellcept (the actual kidney meds) while still taking my blood pressure and potassium pills. i also have to add a phosphate-binder pill and a prescription vitamin d supplement.

post questions if you have any and i'll keep everyone updated through this.

peace, love and big hugs,

cameron