Just an Update

Well, still waiting to see if someone else will be tested at MUSC. I feel like I am on hold once again...playing the waiting game. I have been tired too, my Doc allowed me to get my procrit injection 6 days early. That helped.

I have an eye doctor appointment on Thursday. I have been having blurred and double vision lately. I think it happens more when my eyes are dry and tired. I think prescription eyedrops will be called for. I also need new glasses and definitely something for the sun!

I think I have said "I Think" a bunch of times in this post....enough about me!

What Sjogrens means to me....letter by letter

S Scary at times
J Joint & muscle aches
O Other people out there...I am not alone
G Good days....& not so good days
R Renal failure
E Eyes feel like sand is always in them
N NOT going to beat me
S Stiffness through whole body

What does it mean to you?

Been Busy!!!

I am one of two people in charge of this year's cancer survivor's fashion show at the hospital I work at. It is tomorrow afternoon and I am EXHAUSTED!!

I have had so much fun planning this for our fellow clients and friends. Cancer survivors are a strong bunch of people. I get some of my strength from them.

The theme is "Under the Sea" and we have a treat for all! From the music to a soloist who is a 4 year cancer survivor singing one of her own songs she composed for us. (She has CD's available....she is THAT GOOD) The decorations, party favors, refreshments, and the whole atmosphere is going to be FUN!

We are remembering 2 individuals I had the pleasure of meeting last year. They were such a strong inspiration to me, but lost their battle to cancer. They were models at last year's show and will be deeply missed this year.

I can't wait to see if we can pull an awesome experience for these amazing individuals!

Vitamin D3 and Kidneys

I recently started taking vitamin D3 supplements. I decided to do my own research on what this means to the health of my kidneys. Here is my interpretation.

Vitamin D is available through the sun and in a few foods as well. It is actually a hormone. It is processed through the liver and given to the kidneys to be circulated through the blood for optimal health and strong bones. Our parathyroid gland release PTH to help stabilze the situation.

In early kidney failure, the kidney is not able to activate vitamin D. Not only that, but it becomes inefficient at excreting phosphate thus causing this to elevate in blood levels. It can eventually cause bones to become soft and bendable, robbing the body of the vitamin D it needs.

If calcitriol is started early in kidney failure, parathyroid levels may be kept low enough that calcium/phosphorus imbalance never becomes an issue. If it is started later in failure, it is helpful but may not be able to provide as good a response.

Maybe next time...

I recieved a phone call this morning that Jordan will not be able to give me one of his kidneys. He only has one working and the other just isn't doing a thing. I am sure it was a surprise to him and his family....so please keep them in your prayers.

John and I can't thank Jordan and Jenny enough for trying to make this happen. Also, thank you to his extended family as well. Many people live fine with just one working kidney and have no problems whatsoever. Jordan will be one of them.

Jordan is still my hero...

Sorry...not been in a posting mood

I am sorry about the lack of posts. I am anxious to get the results of MUSC on Jordan. He goes in tomorrow and Thursday for testing. I have been really tired lately too. My procrit was adjusted and I think the past 5 or 6 days have been like a blur. I need toothpicks to hold my eyelids up. :-)

The good news is that I get another round of procrit tonight, so I should have a burst of energy the next couple of days. Please say a extra prayer for Jordan, Jenny, and all their family the next few days. Please say a prayer that the transplant team can answer all their questions and address any concerns they may have. I am looking forward to hearing from the 2 of them tomorrow night.

I started taking vitamin D-3 last friday. Hence, another break down of my kidneys not performing correctly. I will have to do more research on renal failure and its association with having to supplement with vitamin D-3.

Let Me Introduce You To Jordan...

Jordan is my match and potential donor. He is Jenny's husband. If you visit my other blog, you probably know that Jenny is a good friend and a co-worker of mine. BTW she is in her last trimester of pregnancy!

I met Jordan nearly 3 years ago. My first impression of him was that he was quiet, looked really young with that babyface of his, and very serious! LOL Now, I know that he loves to talk about computers, sports (especially the Clemson Tigers), loves his family, likes to have fun, and has a GOOD heart......and hopefully a good kidney too. ;-)

This is him with his daughter Suzi. He is a very patient,kind father to her.



And this is Jenny who is pregnant with their second daughter. I absolutely love this picture. (Hope you don't mind Jenny...your belly looks beautiful)

I plan on talking more about him and his family soon. It will be an interesting few months if all goes as planned. After a few blood tests, we found out that he is a match to me. He goes next week to be evaluated by MUSC for 2 days. They will check on his heart, lungs, kidneys, and be evaluated by transplant team in detail on his health. When he is done with MUSC, he probably will feel like a guinea pig....but to me he is a hero.