Medical Issues 2/11/2021

I just realized that I haven’t updated this thread in about three months. A lot has changed so here we go:

• ESRD: it’s been so long that I something thought I’d never be able to say this… kidney transplant appears to be successful; it’s only been two weeks so UCLA is still closely monitoring the new kidney
• Dialysis access: still there but have not been used for two weeks
• Cardiac rehab: moot at this point
• Peripheral neuropathy: this hasn’t changed since it has nothing to do with ESRD; with higher blood sugar due to steroid medication, hopefully it does not get worse
• Back pain and pressure in chest: same if not a bit worse since I can’t use my abdominal muscles as much during recovery
• Minimal urine production: huge change; I’m now peeing every 60-90 minutes
• Insomnia: got better right after transplant but hard to sleep again; maybe when I get home and back to my own bed it will be better
• Dental issues: ok for now but latest cleaning postponed until after transplant; some sensitivity but not sure if that is normal
• Endocrinologist: keeps wanting to prescribe new meds and insulin for me, even while I have an entire team of doctors monitoring my blood sugar at UCLA; all the meds are super expensive too… no generics
• Lump in left leg: seems to be improving as in the lump appears smaller; maybe fluids are draining better with new kidney?
• Constipation: only for a few days after surgery; seems ok now
• Ophthalmologist: waiting for next appointment; probably need to see optometrist for new glasses soon
• Surgery recovery: is going okay; the incision still hurts sometimes and sore other times; there is a stent between the new kidney and the bladder that needs to be removed in two weeks; they said it’s a 5-10 minute procedure; I don’t know… sounds painful
• COVID-19: have avoided getting infected so far, mainly by staying home all the time except for dialysis and getting take-out food; UCLA got me first Moderna shot right before transplant so I’m scheduled for 2nd shot in two weeks; hope that will help keep my immunosuppressed butt safe
• Sore leg: ha ha, still hurts when I walk; totally self inflected wound; much better this week though so should be all good soon

The list is still long but much shorter and manageable with the first item, ESRD, resolved. Once I get my second vaccine shot, and more people are inoculated, life may become more “normal” for me, as in being able to travel and meet up with people again. It’s been over four years since I’ve been on an airplane or stayed overnight anywhere outside my house.