Happy New Year, Take II

I just spent 30 minutes typing up a post with all my medical issues and I hit the back button on my mouse by accident. WordPress didn’t save a draft in all that time so all of it is gone. Here is take II of the post…

Since this is the first post of 2020, I’m going to list out all my medical issues and symptoms in more detail than my previous post on December 21st. Hopefully some of them will improve or get resolved in the new year.

• ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease): on dialysis for 2 1/2 years; currently on wait list for deceased donor transplant; potential live donor transplant opportunities in six months
• Dialysis access: need to remove peritoneal dialysis catheter; hopefully surgery won’t disable me for 2-3 weeks delaying Cardiac Rehab; need to decide whether to continue using chest catheter or put in new fistula, possibly only used for a few months
• Completing Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: orientation on January 16th; need to complete 8-week program while dealing with likely return to work and possible delay due to PD catheter removal surgery
• Peripheral neuropathy: long-term loss of sensation in both feet; numbness in hands and feet feels more intense than before bypass surgery; still hoping it is a side effect of amiodarone though that appears less and less likely as time passes; willing to look into acupuncture and reflexology for possible relief from symptoms
• Hypertension: blood pressure increased significantly over past two weeks; waiting for new medications to take effect; hopefully lowering blood pressure will relieve some of the other symptoms listed here
• Continued back pain and pressure in chest: much improved over time but still painful to lie down and contributing to insomnia; waiting to discuss with Cardiac Rehabilitation physical therapists
• Minimal urine production: very small improvements in urine production; also less and less likely it is a side effect of bypass surgery; most likely continued loss of residual kidney function due to poor peritoneal dialysis effectiveness
• Changing tastes and poor appetite: appears to be improving; just ate large meal without any issues; need to find food compatible with new taste preferences and won’t trigger gag reflex/vomiting
• Insomnia: still only sleeping 3-4 hours per night; mainly due to physical discomfort from more intense numbness in feet and soreness in back and chest; improved slightly with new bed and mattress but still tired all day
• Long-time scab on left foot: blister fell off yesterday and looks dry underneath; possible fungal infection in toenails of left foot; appointment with podiatrist on January 10th
• Multiple dental issues: lots of cavities and possibly several root canals; obtained clearance from cardiologist for deep teeth cleaning but will need multiple appointments with dentist and endodontist
• Appointment with endocrinologist in March: seeing new specialist for diabetes; hopefully no new issues to deal with
• Lumps in left leg near vein extraction site: possible side effect of bypass surgery; hopefully compression socks/bandage will be effective in removing lumps but an ultrasound looks more and more necessary
• Possible constipation: bowel movement every 2-3 days; taking Senokot (laxative/stool softener) daily