More bad news healthwise

[Graybeard]

Well I got more bad news regarding my health.

Last blood tests they ran said I am at stage 3 of kidney failure. Strange that the first time I'm told my kidneys are failing it's at stage 3.

So I can add that to: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and cancer (leukemia, CLL)

They are all in a big competition to see which one kills me first. I guess it doesn't matter which of them wins the right to take me out. None of us are getting out of this world alive.

[Ranger99]

Sorry to hear of that
Hopefully, it's a mistake on the physicians
staff's part
About 2 years ago, I was called after an office
visit and the usual tests by one of the office staff
that my kidneys were not right.  The next day, the
doctor had to call back to say that I actually had
diminished kidney function, and it was a
normal level for my age. They said that it starts
tapering off gradually around 30, some people
more so than others
Every office visit I lose some percentage of faith
in the medical profession

Either way, everybody here is supporting you
with prayer and good wishes

[moamonkey]

All prayers and positive vibes here. Hopefully they’re wrong. Either way, squeeze all you can out of this old world.

[Dee]

Well Bill,  I'm sorry to hear that. They told us dad had about 6 months. Sure enough,  6 years later he died in his own bed with all the family there.

God will decide when Bills time is.

[gene_225]

Sorry to hear that Bill, will be in prayer for you and your family.

[Graybeard]

This diagnosis came from out of the blue more or less.

I had been having some difficulty with my doctor of many long years taking care of my prescriptions in a timely matter. Some while back they just flat refused to provide new prescriptions unless I came in first. Even tho they had set me an appointment I still needed to wait they said.

So I had a long talk with the doctor. He gave me 90 day prescriptions for all of my medications. We discussed that I'd likely be looking for a new spot to be my medical doctor but really didn't find one suitable so made no changes.

When I called this last time they said OK and that evening still hadn't sent them to the drug store. I called next day and was told he wouldn't give me refills since he is no longer my doctor. Wow fired by my doctor.


So I found a new place called Doctor's MedCare clinic and went there this week. They took 3 vials of blood to test and called me back next day to tell me I have stage 3 kidney failure. She said stages 4/5 require dialysis or kidney replacement.

I had been told in the past, not far distant but rather more recent past, that I had some kind of undefined issue with my kidneys as well as a fatty liver condition. I was never told it was a serious kidney issue.

I honestly have no clue how to take the news. I am now taking a new medication that is supposed to help.

I'm not gonna worry about it. I do not fear death, it is just the end of the life cycle of everything on this planet whether plant or animal. If you are born you will die. I know many fear the coming of the end. But it's just a normal and nature part of the life cycle. I'm as ready for it as I know how to be. I figure I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-8 years left based on the other conditions, dunno if this one will alter that.

I just hope I go quickly when the time comes and don't have to live a dragged out vegetative state for months or years. I've told my family that if I die do not resuscitate me, just let me go. If I'm that bad I don't want to continue.

[Bob Riebe]

Godspeed, if your faith is strong, this will just be another challenge to over come.

[wtxbadger]

I think you need to consider finding a new doc/clinic. My mother in law has been at stage 4 for a couple of years now with her numbers declining slowly over that period of time, with a modified diet and some exercise she has managed so far to stay above the numbers that moves her to stage 5. She was advised that when she hits stage 5 is when dialysis is needed. She is getting closer but not there yet, I took her to an appointment Wednesday where the different types of dialysis were discussed along with which treatment might fit her lifestyle the best as her kidney function is declining with age.

[Lloyd Smale]

my prayers are with you my friend

[Tommyt]

 Sorry to Hear this
I too think another opinion from a different Doctor
God Bless you
My prayers for you

[Bob Smith]

So sorry to hear this. Take care of yourself.

[Casull]

Sad to hear GB.  Keep up the faith.

[nw_hunter]

Sorry to hear about your failing health Bill. This medical system we live in today, appears to be getting worse instead of better. There is nothing personal about it anymore. We are just a number to the medicos' and we often fall through the cracks until its too late.

My wife just started in home hospice care this week for her Lung Cancer. Just when she really needs my help and support, I come down with something they haven't determined the cause of. I have had a fever for about three weeks that is usually low grade, but spikes up to as high as 102. Been on antibiotics for 10 days, and cannot tell a difference yet. Ah! These golden years. Get better Bill! and God Bless.

[Dee]

I don't know if the doctors are getting worse, or us old facts are just wearing out, and runnin our lives natural coarse. Linda and I have had good doctors, and they seem to care.

When I recently went to an eye doctor he gave a through examination of my eye, told me I needed a specialist, and immediately sent me to one. The specialist and his staff treated me very well, quickly found the problem, told what it was and left it up to me. I took his advice, and he done the surgery the next morning. He then described what my recovery would entail, and I got no surprises. He restored my right eye vision to 2020.

I'm in my mid 70s now, and the abuse my body received because of my chosen career is dealing me some misery, but I'm blessed to have lived this long, and I know my best days are behind me.
Getting old, and wore out is what it is. I have no idea how much more time on this earth i have, and like everyone else thats came and went, sumthin will eventually kill me. Thats life.

[darkgael]

Bill: hopefully, some of the bad news will reverse itself. it does happen. I ended up in an ambulance on Memorial Day weekend. That was the beginning of two weeks in the hospital. initial diagnosis was failing kidneys. All of my blood functions were way below normal....way below. BP, hemoglobin, red and white cell counts half normal. Out of the blue....a month ago, I was normal. The Docs were good and stopped the downturn. Things are better now but still not normal.
My point is that health can turn around. It does. I do not have your related problems, I know, but there remains the possibility of improvement.

[Graybeard]

I have an appointment with a Hematology/Oncology doctor in about 2 hours. This will be my first visit to these folks.

There is a new medication that was approved in January to treat the CLL I have. I will discuss it with them while there. I'm sure they will draw blood and send it off to be tested.

I'll be giving them a copy of the book I got from the first cancer doctor on tests she ran.

I do plan to get an appointment with a kidney specialist soon to let them test for any kidney damage and tell me what's going on there.

I just take it a day at a time and am not worrying about any of it. I can't control it so no need to worry about it.

[JeffG]

Prayers out to you, Bill. I hope you can get with a doctor you can work with.

[Graybeard]

I was told I don't need any treatment. They said I'd certainly die WITH the leukemia but that I would NOT die from it. They said I'm not advanced enough to need any treatment and based on the type I have that I might never need any treatment.

Now on to the next issue, my kidneys. I have an appointment next month with a kidney specialist to talk to them about the recent diagnosis related to the kidneys.

[Dee]

Excellent! A second opinion is always best for sure.

[JoeG52]

Great News!