It's official -

[kyburg]

There's additional damage to the kidney - frankly, if she lives more than another year or so, she'll be looking at dialysis. That's what it says to me.

Today, no. But she's moved out of the 'high normal' range for creatinine clearance to 'renal insufficiency' range. Numbers? December she was between 2 and 3 - yesterday, 5.5.

I'm putting out some hope that the last twenty days on Cipro and this backflow is to blame for the increase, but her doctor yesterday didn't seem to think that number was going to come down much anymore. We'll see.

One good injury, one big infection, one big surgical intervention - and it's over.

Having had someone on dialysis before, I know how well it works and what kinds of worries it ends. I also know nobody enjoys it. It's a huge undertaking.

Death from renal failure is a very gentle one - you stop eating, go to sleep and don't wake up. But you could also be in a coma for some time before death eventually comes, so -

I'm more worried about my siblings this morning, to be honest. While this isn't a spa vacation, she's resting quite comfortably and improving. She's very concerned about how sleepy she is, but after being hit by the truck, as I call it, and receiving a lot of high-end opiate painkillers, she could be sleepy for a long time and I wouldn't be concerned about it.

Dialysis will break my siblings' hearts. They'll get through it, sure enough - but watching them hurt so for Mom is hard for me too.

But that's not today. Tomorrow or the next day.

Today is Friday, payday and the beginning of my weekend. And I got lots of stuff to catch up on.

Forward!

Comments

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

(HUGS)

My uncle in Florida has been on dialysis for many years (my aunt takes good care of him). I don't think it's easy, but he still enjoys life.

[bigbigtruck.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I'm sorry... we will pray for your family.

[murphymom.livejournal.com]

Good Thooughts and prayers going out for and to ALL of you...

[riverheart.livejournal.com]

Enjoy your weekend; you deserve it.

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom's kidney. I have nothing to say that doesn't come across as trite, but it's wholly sincere: if there is anything we can do to help, let us know. Please.

[luscious-purple.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear this.

Any chance for a kidney transplant?

[condotierre.livejournal.com]

*HUG* It's not much but...anything I say wouldn't come out right.

[arafel.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. My mom's had kidney problems for years, so your post hits close to home.

[evilshell.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear this :(

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

It's a good question - I would say no, just on basis of age.

But then again, nobody has asked either.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be too shocked if those kidney numbers do improve, although you're right to be pessimistic, I think. (Prepare for the worst, hope for something better.) My aunt (in her lat fifties) has been bouncing on and off the list for liver or liver-and-kidney transplants for the past few years, and she's managed to stay off of both for a while now.

My best wishes for your family and you.

[pseudicide.livejournal.com]

Ah hon... Really, no idea what to say, other than I hope things get better for your mother... I saw someone go through dialysis for many years, and you are right, it's not fun... [hugs]

[shirasade]

What can I say except that I'm thinking of you and your mom... *hugs*

yeah

[joggingguy.livejournal.com]

The girlfriend I had before I got married was a brittle diabetic and developed renal failure while we were together. I'm like you, I know too much about dialysis for my own good, like creatinine and BUN. I've even had peritoneal dialysis training.

Hope things get better.

*hugs*