Sorry it has been a while...

Last Friday, 10 days ago, I got hit with a bug. I was at knitting group when I suddenly got the chills. I was waiting for hubby to pick me up from Starbucks at Northtown Mall, across from Northgate, when I started to feel cold. I thought it was due to this Starbucks having a drive thru and it was starting to get cold outside.

While we were driving home we decided to go out to eat, we were both tired and didn't feel like cooking, so we went to Boston Pizza. I could not warm up, so we got our dinners to go, paid and headed home. By the time we got home I was running a fever. The next morning I felt like I was trying to cough up a lung! So I called into work on the Sunday and said I am just too sick to make it in. I was floored!

So Wednesday, hubby took me to the ER at the Royal Alexander Hospital. It actually wasn't a bad wait, we got there around 7:45 pm and got into the ER around 10:45 pm. The staff were great. The Dr. came in and listened to my chest, couldn't hear anything so sent me for x-rays. I had urine tested along with blood work. When the doctor came back he said he was suspicious that it could be pneumonia (confirmed the next day) but he was also worried about my creatine levels, they were at 500, not good. A couple of months ago they were at 300. We were out of there by 4:30 am. I must say the staff there are great!

I have to say, I am thankful to my loving husband who has been there through it all. He is the best :D

The Renal Insufficiency Clinic called the next day, I have an appointment on March 22 at 11:00 am. If my numbers don't rebound by then I start dialysis.

I will let you know more on the 22nd.

Cora

Sorry it has been a while since I have posted...guess no news is good news right?

Left: Rocaltrol
Right: Sodium Bicarbonate

So I have some news. My numbers have been pretty steady, although I lost a percentage point in kidney function. I am now at 11% and my energy is down a bit. It has been decided that I need to get an iron transfusion. Most iron supplements mess with my IBS and we did try the newest iron supplement that was supposed to be easy on stomach, however the stomach cramps were so bad hubby was threatening to take me to the ER. So no oral antibiotics for me. I did try an oral herbal supplement but it wasn't giving me enough iron to help.

So now I take Imodium (for the IBS), Tylenol Migraine (self explanatory), Gravol (for nausea-use regular at home and the ginger for at work) as well as Sodium Bicarbonate (500 mg) 3 times a day and Rocaltrol once a day.

I also went to the Optometrist to get my eyes checked, hadn't had this done since the emergency visit in 2009. Turns out I have the beginnings of cataracts which is starting to affect my vision. As my eyes are dry I have to use drops twice a day, however that is easier said than done. I actually use an ointment as I can't get the drops in at all. These are not covered by Blue Cross at all. So now I have to go in every year for an eye exam, which is not covered by AB Health. We do have Blue Cross thankfully, although even that doesn't cover all things. Thankfully it did cover a 3 months supply of the Rocatrol ($116.83) paid only $20.26. The Sodium Bicarbonate doesn't appear to be covered, that cost $32.92. The cost for the eye ointment was $10.49 and I am having issues with getting this into the eye as well...frustrating!

I work at the Optic TV Lounge in Southgate (Edmonton AB).

I am enjoying my new job and got the approval from the new clinic, yeah! The other clinic wouldn't approve my working at all. I just have to make sure I don't get over tired is all. So anywho gotta run for now. See picture to the right. I have a lot of fun and it isn't a stressful job. The only thing is that I am tired and my muscles hurt at the end of the day, but I just feel so good after a good day at work. It is so much fun talking about Optik TV all day. I meet some great people. Love it!

Cora

I had an interesting conversation with a colleague lastnight...

I had gone to work after having a nap. I had gone to the dr's and I was right I had another Urinary Tract Infection. I got to work and I was doing fine, but I could feel a fever coming on and general malaise. I finished my shift and spoke with my manager and told her that I just didn't think I could come in today. turned out it was a great idea as I had been up several times in the night to the bathroom so I didn't get a lot of sleep.


My colleague asked me how do I do it? I come to work (Nygard Fashions) and work hard and then go home. I also am involved in my community work (Alberta Ave Community League, Safe Streets, Alberta Avenue Revitalization, EFCL Planning and Development Committee) as well. Sometimes I wonder but I came across a blog today that may have well given me the reason as to why; Angie's blog on the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Angie also has a blog here as well. I have to say thank goodness for the internet. Sometimes I feel as if I am way over my head on all of this.

Sometimes it feels as if I am running her there and everywhere just putting out fires. the Alberta Health Care System is in crisis, which is difficult for a patient who is dealing with one health issue after another. I seem to be dealing with one health crisis after another and unable to see the doctors that I should be seeing. It can be very daunting and scary at the same time.

Cora