I do not know if it is just psychological or what but ever since I started to drink the sambong tea, my fluid retention or edema has been kept on a minimal level. Then again, my lab results speak otherwise.
Two weeks ago, my urine creatinine protein ratio was 7.07 mg/dL. It surged dramatically from the previous reading of 1.61 mg/dL. Without changing my medication, my nephrologist ordered for a repeat test after two weeks.
I have got the result and it showed a whopping 8.87 mg/dL.
This time, the doctor ordered for an increase steroids (from 10 mg to 20 mg). I have been on steroids for almost a year already and I brought it up to my doctor and he said it is okay. I said I thought that he will increase the dosage of CellCept. In the end he increased it to 3 g from the usual 2 g that I have been taking in for the past six months.
He just took my BP (he wrote 100/70 mmHg) and looked at my feet.
He ordered for another series of tests: urine creatinine protein ratio, CBC, lipid profile (which I asked), serum creatinine, AST/ALT and CPK.
I pray that God will intervene in my complete healing.

Yet again.  Seriously.

I got my lab  result and although the creatinine-protein ratio has improved  to 2.84 (which is still high, should be less than 1), I am still on edematous state.

My cholesterol level spiked at 400+ since I stopped taking in Crestor.

I took the liberty of getting urinalysis as I noticed that my urine is getting reddish plus  the fact that I have had fever in the past couple of days.  The tst revealed that I indeed have hematuria or blood in the urine and lots of bacteria too.

The doctor simply asked me how long  have  I been on therapy, I said about four months.  He just scribbled the same prescription as last month adding Crestor 10 mg (the previous dose before it was raised to 20 mg) to the list of medications.  I asked what he will do about the hematuria, he said that it’s a sign that I am on exacerbation and that I just need to take a rest.

He recommended a bed rest for the next 2 to 3 days.  Which I have requested by the way.

I don’t know but every time I come into his clinic, my mind always gets lost that I always forget to ask important things.  Is it because I could sense  that he’s always in a hurry? Or is it just me? I have been told by my friend, and as a nurse I should know, that it is my right to ask since I am paying for the consult.

Well, he asked me if I am experiencing pyuria (difficulty urinating). I said no, except that  I feel my urine is quite acidic that I need to wash after I urinated. He also asked if I have had fever, I said I had for two days but it went away immediately after taking paracetamol. He did not say anything.

My fear is that, I am close to finishing my treatment but I do not see any signs of light at the end of the tunnel.  Does this mean that I have to submit myself to chemo therapy in two months?

I am really scared.

God please help  me.

This week is the opening of classes for public schools ad the weather is really crazy.

There’s intermittent hard rain and strong wind and today was no exception.

After six sessions  of physical rehab, I  was bound for a follow up check up with my doctor. To make sure that I will not be wasting my time, I phoned  her clinic before 1 p.m. and  was able too confirm that she will be holding her clinic today  in the midst of  the rowdy weather.

I was fifth on the list.

Since I know that she will not show up on time, I decided to  swing by the Lung Center to claim myy Bsic Skills Training (BST) shirts.

My BST training at LCP will start on June 15 an I am really anxious.

I arrived at St. Luke’s around 2:30 p.m.  and I went straight to rehab  department to  get my  progress report.  I reached the doctor’s clinic before 3 p.m. and the doctor was still checking on patient number three!

So I had my turn after 20  minutes and the doctor asked why I was wearing a mask. So I told her that I am on immunosuppressant and I am seeing a nephrologist.

She asked me why I did not tell her about it during my first check up. I told her that I was so tired waiting for  her and she seemed to be in a hurry then that it slipped my  mind.

She was concerned about me taking the pain killer (Myonal) as it is nephrotoxic (would harm my  kidneys). I told her I did not take it.

After some physical exam, she told me that the spasm is so minimal but I have to continue with my rehab  and she ordered for another six sessions.

As I have mentioned, the weather was crazy and as I went out of the doctor’s clinic, the sky was dark so I decided to go home straight.

Darn, I forgot to swing by the rehab dept to  request for a rehab sked on Saturday!

I phoned St.  Luke’s and I was told that I need to go there personally for the sked unless I want to have the six sessions with  my former PT.

I want another therapist. So I will just drop by tomorrow.

What I like about my doctor is that he almost always come on time.

I arrived at St. Luke’s around 9:30.

I handed out my lab results to the secretary and did not ask if he was already there.  I sat in the hall.  A few minutes had past and the secretary called me  into the doctor’s office.

While I was glad that I did not have to wait long for my doctor to see me, I was not quite pleased with the lab result or the way the consultation has went .  Although the protein creatinine ratio has improved, it is still high plus by cholesterol level is at 291.

I am already on medication for three months and no dramatic changes or signs of improvement I can see.

I just feel stupid not to ask my doctor the things that have been bugging  me.

I know it is my right to know my chances of getting well or if I will ever be getting well.  I just can sense that he is not willing to or capable of  answering my questions.

There is something in me that tells me he has not handled the same case as mine before.

I have to pop the questions to him next time.

Oh btw, he has increased my dose of Crestor to 20 mg.

I need to get to work.

It’s been almost a week since I last hit the gym. I passed from Thursday to Saturday because I had my monthly period. It’s uncomfortable for me doing gym routines when I have my period.

Another thing, my feet have yet again become swollen. I noticed that Aldactone alone does not help make me urinate frequently.

I am supposed to have my lab work up today and to see my nephrologist tomorrow but my monthly period prevented me from submitting myself for the workup ergo my appointment was cancelled and was moved to May 4^th. May 1^st is Labor Day and the doctor won’t hold a clinic then.

Boohoo!

So I phoned my ever reliable doctor yesterday and consulted my bloated feet. He said that I should take Burinex again together with Aldactone. It’s really effective because I flushed tremendous amount of liquid through my urine within 2 hours of intake of the combo.

When I woke up this morning, my feet were still swelling so I told myself, I will go to the gym anyway but I will just do abdominal work out and so I did.

Since I ran so many errands (I went to see another doctor for my back pain and an orthodontist and I had a panoramic orthodontic x-ray) before I hit the gym, I felt so hungry. I fear that I will be hypoglycemic so I decided to chow down. Grilled Blue Marlin at the foodcourt which I did not enjoy by the way.

Full meal before working out? Works for me! I was able to do 100 crunches and so many crunches more using different ab workout machines including the gym ball! As promised, I skipped the treadmill but I hit the sauna which is my favorite part of my gym trips.

As I hit the shower, I was surprised to see that my feet are not swollen anymore.

God, I pray that this will last.