Good News! (kidney update)

[Victoria05202000]

I have 2 pieces of information I would like to share.

The first is that my creatinine went down to 2.6 It has not been that low in 2 years. Part of me wonders if it is a lab error or for real. I am going to say it is for real. I'll get it re-testes in 3 weeks.  This means my kidney function that was at 15% is now 22% in 4 short months? Hmmm....maybe cellcept is a wonder drug.  I know that from what all the medical journals and doctors have said that kidney damage is irreversable, but HMMMMMMMMM.....

I also received a call from MUSC today and they are wanting me to send another tube of blood to them so that Dr. B can look more closely at a crossmatch with one of my possible living donors. It was explained that he wanted to do a further test on one of the seven possible crossmatches to see how I would react to the donor's blood.

Take Care!
Vicky

[JannaLee]

Vicky,

This is GREAT NEWS!  I'm praying for a match!

Janna

[Epson]

Vicky,

My dad's kidney function improved like yours when they change meds.  It was kind of like a balancing act, sometimes too much of this and not enough of that, then 2 months later they would adjust something else.

[Dolly Dimples]

  Vicky, I don't understand much about the lab tests, but I'm happy to hear your happy!
               
  I pray this is a good step forward, and that you will benefit from the findings...
                                                                                                                 Dolly

[jonnell]

Good news Vicki  We will be praying for you.    Jonnell and Jenna

[Chickpea]

Oh Vicky, that's wonderful news!  I agree that you should say it's for real rather than a lab error - always choose the optimistic option!

Does the call from MUSC mean that they are speeding up the preparation for your transplant?

Thinking of you - Chickpea

[ErinG]

That's great news, Vicky! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes well with your donors.  I'm starting Cellcept tomorrow morning 

[Chickpea]

Erin - let us know how you get on with CellCept.  I've been on it for 7 months so if you have any questions about adjusting to it don't hesitate to ask as there are a few of us here who take it.  Are you starting with a low dose and building it up?

Hope all goes well tomorrow.

Take care - Chickpea

[Victoria05202000]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate it.

Chickpea, I think it does mean that they may have a possible donor in mind and want to check something out deeper.

Erin, I think you'll like the cellcept once you get over the initial few weeks.  Biggest complaint is nausea, but it has gotten better and I have less stomach aches now that I have taken it for 5 months. I am on a low dosage and have stayed on the same dosage of 250 mg. every 12 hours.  After transplant it will start off at 1000 mg. every 12 hours. (i think)

[Scottietottie]

Vicky that's great news!  I hope you get a donor soon but its good that you are holding out as well as you are! Long may it last!

Take care - Scottie 

[irish]

Vicky, This is very good news. I would think that this is the right number. You can bet that the lab ran the test a couple more times because they were expecting a lower number!!!

Be aware that miracles do happen! It will be interesting to see if the number keeps getting lower. Stranger things have happened. The interesting thing about this is that is just goes to show that people with sjogrens need to be treated more aggressively at an earlier point in their illness. If I was in different circumstances with my illness I would find a different doctor who was more aggressive is needed. As it is I have to be content with the IVIG cause I can't take the cellsept type drugs due to my low t-cells.

Good luck and will keep you in my prayers. Irish

[Cheryl]

Vicky,
   Thanks for sharing your happy news!   You have a big cheering section, and we're all smiling.
Cheryl

[KYMOM]

Vicky, It is always great to hear good news.  Thank you for letting us know. Roxanne

[ErinG]

Chickpea & Vicky,

I'm starting on 500mg a day.  My rheumy said to see how I feel on 500 after a week, then step it up to twice a day.  I'm not sure how high my dose will end up being,  I'm going to the nephrologist tomorrow so I will ask him.  I have a huge list of questions because I draw a blank every time he asks if I have any.  I figure I'll just take my first dose with my deathpred when I get up tomorrow and I hope my stomach feels ok!