Slow and Steady Wins the Race

If you know my husband you should find the title a perfect way to sum him up. He is just that, slow and steady, but in the most endearing way possible.

His numbers are slowly coming down into the normal ranges, and for that we are so grateful. His creatinine is floating between 1.4-1.5 which is a drastic improvement from a couple weeks ago. His potassium has come down into the normal range, however we continue to remain on a yellow light for eating potassium rich foods. His pancreatic enzymes have also been in the normal range for the last two lab draws. He continues to remain anemic so he has received two procrit shots this week to try and improve this.

There are two numbers that continue to float a little too high for my liking, his sugar and his blood pressure. Jim is no longer deyhdrated which is fantastic, so we have temporarily discontinued his water retention medicine. As this gets out of his system we are hoping his blood pressure comes down a bit. They are not soaring as they once did prior to the transplant but in order to protect his new kidney we need to be sure to keep them in the normal range so the doctors are keeping a close eye. His blood sugar has also be rising in the evening. The doctors are attributing this rise to the high dose of steroids that he is currently on, therefore they have begun to wean this down by 2mg a week. The hope is that as the steroid reduces so will his sugar. I look at what I consider high now in comparison to prior to the transplant and I can't help but smile and thank the Lord for his many blessings.

They are keeping Jim at a regiment of every other day appointments since we have had to do some medication changes. Of course, if you know me, I am elated about this and couldn't be happier with Baylor and Dallas Transplant. I think they know that if they don't bring him in for an appointment I would place them on my speed dial. (and they probably don't want that-although I don't know why not, I'm fun to talk to)

Overall, Jim is doing wonderful. We have a few speed bumps here and there but we are so grateful for this gift.

Prayer Requests: Peace and comfort for donor family, Jim's sugar and blood pressure normalize, creatinine continues to come down, anemia improves.

Bible Verse: "Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; Here am I." Isaiah 58:9