Kidney Update

December 20, 2021 - Kidney Update

Thank you for your continued prayers for me and my family. While I won't be able to share everything right now, I will do the best I can to be transparent and keep everyone updated.

We don't know the extent of the injury from the initial medicine/high bp issues back in July/August because the biopsy in September was inconclusive. So, I have been going to the doctor monthly for lab draws and creatinine checks.

Until recently, I had been super nauseous and throwing up for months on end, losing about 45 pounds over the last few months.

My October & November Creatinine checks were about the same - around 4.5 - where I was when I initially went to the hospital in August. All other lab numbers are basically normal. Thankfully having a spouse in the medical field that can read & explain the reports to me has been super helpful.

Back in mid-November, I started working with a new primary care doctor to try to get my blood pressure under control. Both my top/bottom numbers were still running really high, and my resting heart rate was consistently in the 90s-100s. The PCP said the high blood pressure contributes to kidney failure, and kidney failure keeps the blood pressure up - so it's a vicious cycle, but if we can force the blood pressure down to normal that ideally that should give my kidneys a rest and allow them to start filtering again. He put me on a 3rd BP med - a patch that has since really helped make progress. We started at the lowest dose, and then slowly increased as needed. By the 2nd week of December, I was finally getting consistent normal readings! YAY! I have been without nausea medication now for two weeks, and have gained a slight amount of energy back! That was a win in my book!

I had another nephrology appointment last week. I went into this appointment not really expecting much change, since my blood pressure had only been under control for about a week at that point. For the last 4 months, I have been told that the goal was to get my blood pressure under control so my kidneys can rest and hopefully start filtering again.

This appointment took a very different turn and wasn't nearly as encouraging as all the others had been. My creatinine jumped a whole point, so now I'm at around 5.7. My nephrologist said that it was likely due to the new blood pressure medicine. He then changed his opinion and said that my blood presssure is irrelevant, and he doesn't think that's going to make a difference in my kidney function.

My PCP finally got us to the goal, and now the nephrologist doesn't think it's relevant. Well then why in the world has that been my goal for the last 4 months!? Now we are back to the waiting game and monthly blood work.

One question I've had and have been asked a lot is... why haven't I had any emergency dialysis to give my kidneys a rest? The short answer is because all of my other labs have been normal - things like my potassium, etc. It's primarily the creatinine that's been off.

So where do we go from here? We wait. Again. James says my next few lab draws will be the true telling factor now that my blood pressure is under control. If the labs don't improve now, then it's unlikely I'll ever heal. That is a devastating spot to be in, to be honest.

My dad & bonus mom reminded me this week that drs don't know everything and God is still in the miracle business. I am clinging to that hope right now. I'm fighting between flesh and faith, and trying to keep my mind in a positive place - that's been super difficult this last week.

My friends have been super supportive and have let me shed plenty of tears with them. They have called/texted daily. One even stopped by the house this week, just to give me a hug. That was such an encouragement.

Our church family has been amazing. Offering to help with whatever we need. Right now it's hard to think of tangible things other than prayers, but we are so grateful for the sweet offers. If/when the time comes that we need more assistance, I know they will be there.

Our main prayer at this moment is that God would touch my kidneys, and make them filter again. We desperately need Him to intervene.

Kimberly