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Apr. 18, 2008
March Brought . . ., April Brings . . .UPDATE
Psalm 139:1 – 6
O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways, for there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.
Thank you for you prayers. The news from the kidney doctor was good all things considered. My husband’s kidney disease is a type of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and as such mineral imbalances are usually part of the progression.
PTH is a hormone released by the parathyroid gland. This hormone helps maintain calcium and phosphorus levels. Vitamin D is needed to help the parathyroid gland release the right amount of PTH in the body.
Since his kidneys can not process enough vitamin D the PTH builds up and synthetic vitamin D hormone (this is very different then over the counter Vitamin D Supplements) is necessary to help maintain the correct level of PTH. This condition is called Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SPTH). Secondary, because it's caused by the (CKD).
The dangers of SPTH are that bone disease can develop, muscle weakness, heart problems, high blood pressure, anemia etc... So needless to say it is important that we control it.
The Dr. and Bob did discuss dialysis Thursday and thankfully he doesn't require it yet. When he will need dialysis all depends on how slow or fast the disease progresses.
So where is he at? The blood pressure (BP) is still a bit iffy and he has been given the option of starting another drug or going back on the sodium restricted diet (less than 500 MG a day). He opted for the sodium restricted diet as the next wave of BP medicines are known to have more noticeable side effects. He is hoping that the diet will make the difference. The upside of the Low sodium diet is that he can stop taking the Lasix unless his BP spikes again. Lasix dehydrates him and makes him feel groggy and tired (though he has trouble sleeping due to the SPTH go figure).
The type of high Blood Pressure he has is also called secondary hypertension because it is high BP caused by the CKD. Controlling BP is very important as well since high BP can cause the CKD to progress. Rising BP can also be an indication of the CKD progressing. What a vicious circle.
From here we just keep an eye on the BP (at home) and the calcium, phosphorus, and PTH levels (via a blood test in a month).
The disease has progressed but all is in God's hands and we are thankful that it has not progressed any further or any faster.
All these things that have happen lately have made Bob’s kidney disease very “real” to me. (When I say “real” it’s like when you’re first pregnant and the test says positive and the Dr. agrees with the test, but until you see your stomach growing and feel those first kicks . . . then it’s “real”. It sort of takes your breath away and you sit in amazement of the way God works.) Before when we would talk about it, it seemed a far off thing that would happen when we were old. He told me today that it has always been “real” to him, but he didn’t say anything much because he did not want to cause upset and worry in others. It’s been a great reminder to all of us to say, “I love you” more and to appreciate one another more. We are living each day praising the Lord for what He gives us.
Again, we truly thank all of you for your prayers and encouragement.
Lamentations 3:22 – 24
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”
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Posted by
Apr. 19, 2008 - Still praying