More blood

After dialysis yesterday, Dr. Cortese ordered blood transfusion. I arrived at Drs. Regional Hosp. in Corpus at 1pm. They gave me 2 units of blood and was able to leave at 9pm. More testing to follow in order to find the cause of blood loss.

changing dialysis units

This year,2012 -13 in Texas has had some changes. The dialysis unit in aransas pass would not take  me. after 5 days I got in at corpus at  5 at night and out at 10. so mom haed to drive at  night.after three treatments I was  abl to get into DSI in rockport.that makes the trip 12 & miles one half miles one way  .Makes fong  150 miles a week. The other problem is my legs. I seem to have blockage in both legs. Have an appointment with Dr Mallen on May 16.    This was the year to fix the trailer. WE had the awnings replaced,oven door fixed  and a new sink  for a total of $2408.Insurance paid $2003, so we cane out alright.                                   

summer is over

Summer is over and we are ready to fly to Texas in two weeks.I'm still on dialysis and doing well,except they keep me coming in at 6 or 6:15 in the morning, We will go to Columbus for Bryans weding and then fly to Corpus on Nov. 7. Looking forward to getting south. I'v seen a frost and it's time to leave.Went to Rudyard for class reunion and cousin reunion. both times I took dialysis in St Ignace on Sat. Will take dialysis in columbus downtown on Friday 3:30. Have tried fishing with Kirt a couple of times but no luck. He can get us onto the Pentwater in a real nice spot. Am trying to exercise every day and am geting stronger.

catheter

We went into Christus Spohn hospital at 8 am and out at 12:30 for a 15 minute operation. But they did remove the catheters and I will be able to take a full shower in seven days. We fly to Mich. in 11 days. There aren't many people left in the village.

Transportation

Ths is how we get around the park

dialysis

Upon meeting dr. Rutherford , he sent me to Dr. Steel to fix my fistula.Steel fixed it on Feb. 1. Which was not soon enough because after a blood lab and seeing Rutherford,I had a cathater but into my heart on Feb. 15 , and started dialysis on Feb. 17. Fri. 26 will be my 17th treatment. I am now having one needle in the arm. The fistula is getting stronger and should be ready for two needles next week. Because I knew I wasn't going to do much walking , I got a golf to move around the park. It works geat.

Dialysis

Yesterday we went to Muskegon to see Dr Mallon. He put a fistula In my right arm, so that sometime in the future I will be ready for dialysis. Everything went well except-afterward I could not pee.It's happened to me every time they put me out. I called the Dr. thinking I was going to have to go to the hospital. He said give it time. I finally did pee after 2 a.m. Will see the Dr. again august 12.

Chicago

Ferris wheel Navy pier

Shirley and Jim

On th ferris wheel

Going in

Double decker

Signature room Hancock room

Pat Shirley Jim & Otis



On July 14 we drove down to cathys and stayed overnite. Wed. morning cindy took us to Michigan City to catch the North shore to chicago. She was returning ayden to Kansas. An hour and a half found us in chicago at 11th street station. A short walk to the Essex Hotel found our friends Jim and Shirley Barrette waiting for us.We took a double decker bus tour around down town and ate at the signature room on top to the hancock building, and played canasta in our room that night. Thursday we went to navy pier, rode the ferris wheel, ate at billy goats and went to the theater to see aladin ( we all enjoyed it).I found a good place to rest while the others shopped.Canasta again but bythe pool. Friday we took the train backto Mich. City where cathy was waiting for us. Drove on to Muskegon to see Dr. Mallon (to map out the fistula) and on home.

more doctors

It seems as though all I do is see doctors. Tomorrow I get a Lupron shot. My P.SA. is 0.14. I went to see Dr. Mallon and will have a fistula put in my arm on Aug, 12. My kidney function is at 19 % and will see Downer ( one of the nephrologests) on July 25. They are getting me ready for dialysis.

chelation and meds

I took a chelation treatment today and saw Doctor Bowen. He tookkk me off two meds - Zocor and Doxazosin. They both could make me weak, tired, and dizzy. So I should start feeling better.

Doctors week

This was doctors week. On monday I went to Gonzalez for a P.S.A , which turned out to be 0.2. Then tuesday back for a Lupron shot. Last week I went to see Kuffel for pictures and this thursday for more pictures and a Laser treatment. Friday it was in for an Avastin shot in the eye. Next tue. back for a check up and I'm done for awhile. Then I'll start with Lily on the chelation.

Christmas is Texas

The Barretts have breakfast outside every Christmas morning and invite a few friends. This year it was nice enough to enjoy. After breakfast we moved my shed about four inches so the electric cord would reach. I've been fishing with Ed once-- we got six black drum and one red that we could keep. I've been to see Dr. Bowen and had one chealation treatment so far.

Texas

It's been awhile and we are in Rockport. On Oct 30 we were getting ready to go too Henrys Ann. when Patsy fellgoing down the ramp. She broke her wrist and ankle on the right side. Dr. Kennedy removed the cast form her ancle Nov. 17 and the wrist on Dec. 8. We started for Texas Dec 11, stopping at Cathys and Carols. We rushed down to Kentucky, watched the weather in Ak. and decided to go down thru Al. It add a few miles but had only rain-- no ice or snow like up north.It's nice to be down here and watch the national weather for the snowy north country. Today I bought a new tire for the car and a fishing license and appointment with Dr. Bowen for next monday.

Seeing doctors

Iv'e been seeing doc. every two weeks and they have been changing my meds each time.I think I'm finally done. Doc . Staniforth (kidneys) gave me another blood pressure med. and I'm off of aldatone.I'm feeling much better. My creatinine is still high-2.8. But potassium and sodium are ok. Had a stress test last week . Don't have the results yet but am sure they are ok. I did the tread mill to the test end- 8 minutes at 14% incline. Thats the best I've ever done.

Dr. Twu

Went to my kidney doctor today and he wasn't happy with my blood pressure.. He increased my meds and wants to see me again in ten days. Have to bring in my machine. He can't believe I can get a 70 point swing in my pressure.Got my new glasses yesterday.

doctors

I am still having trouble with my blood pressure and I think my family dr. has given up on me But I went to see my kidney dr.(Dr. Twu).He put me on new meds and took me off the cardizem (which I had just filled). He now has me on a low potassium diet.He gavej me a list of fruit a vegetables to avoid,which makes moms job harder. But I'm hoping this one works. I like Dr. Twus attitude. He askes lots of questions and tries to explain what he wants done.

Friends and reunion

Jim and Shirley parked in frort of our trailer.
Shirley and Patsy - Barretts ready to leave.
Class of 1950 reunion at Willards July 08
Ray and Otis at Mayrys cottage.

So much has happened in the last two weeks, it's hard to remember it all.First, I went to the eye dr. and did not need a shot this time. Then Ray Kivela came through on his way to the reunion,and Jim and Shirley Barrett (our neighbors from Texas ) stopped in for three days. So we had to show them Ludington- beaches, P M river, White Pine village, and Gander Mt. fish tournament. Then they followed us up north and stayed on our properity with us in their motor home. One day they went to the island and one day we tried to show them the Soo. On the 25th we had my class reunion at Mayrys cottage. It was 58 years but at our age we figure we need them closer together. The 26 & 27 was Rudyard Days . Saw many friends and relatives and came home monday.

deck roof

The roof deck was done July1. Then we decided to paint the underside. One coat didn't look good,so we did another, It took three days but looks good. Also started a Facebook. now I'm wondering why. I have e-mail,a blog and Facebook

Blood pressure

Dr, Gentry changed my meds again, and it's workng. He increased my cardizum cd to 320mg, and my blood pressure was down to 131/62 this morning. Most mornings it's been around 200/86.
The garden is looking good. Should have raspberries in about a week.
The deck roof is still not on. Will have to call Floyed again.