Its happened. The long awaited drop below 15% has arrived this month when I find my kidney function is 14%.
For a long time the magic number was 20% and I broke that barrier quite some time ago. In fact at the time I smashed the 20% mark dialysis was expected within a year. Since then and as a result of several convesations with different consultants I have found that dialysis may well not happen until I am below 10% or more like 8%. The 15% mark is now about transplant. I have been offered a kidney by my son, Anthony, who insists I have it, I dont think I’ll accept. He has his life in front of him and may need a spare for better reasons than me. His own children maybe.
So 15% needs to be broken 3 times in a row but then I’ll go on the transplant list. Apparently there is an approx 18 month wait and some more tests, an operation, and a barrage of anti rejection drugs and I may get some life back. In the meantime I am left with my symptoms which are itching and tiredness. The tiredness has been markedly worse the last few months and is obviously explained by the drop.
There may be reasons for 15%. Firstly I generally have a lower result in January. This recovers at my next text usually in May. (So maybe 15 or 16 this year). Secondly this result comes with a raised calcium level. I have had other levels raised in the past – potassium being one, which I have managed with diet. The elevated calcium could me modified by reducing one of the medications I take to supplement the activity of my parathyroid gland, which on reduced instruction from my reduced kidneys produces less calcium? If I have the dose this may force my parathyroid to work harder and produce a more normal amount of calcium. You can tell I dont quite understand that too well but something there is true!! In conclusion though reduced calcium (more activive parathyroid) plus seasonal bounceback may result in increased kidney function. I have a retest in 3 weeks. so we’ll know more then.
Emotionally this has been tough. I have rallied before. Done a lot of work around acceptance. Thought about choices. Thought about the previous paragraph stuff etc. but I cant help feeling I have done my best for 6+ years and now the final slope is in sight. Who knows what next. I have always thought my condition will ‘get me’ and I cant stave it off indefinitely but it was starting to feel like I was winning. Maybe not. Hey ho!
