Hard to believe, but it's been 9 weeks since my transplant. I've been very fortunate, in that the problems I've had are all minor. I did initially have ATN ("sleepy kidney"), but maintained adequate urine output, so my last dialysis was pre-op. I've also had some minor side effects of meds, including hand tremors, diarrhea (both of which resolved), and some abnormal labs.
That last one is the current issue I'm dealing with. My WBC (white blood cell count) is pretty low at 1.2. Officially, it's considered moderate neutropenia (a calculation involving the total wbc, segs, and bands). I now am on a lower dose of Valcyte; I had been on 450 mg twice a day, and am now on 450 mg daily. The other culprit in causing Neutropenia is CellCept, but since my CMV is still negative 6 weeks post op, they opted to lower the Valcyte. If it doesn't come up in a few weeks, the surgeon will consider Neupogen, which does to white blood cells as Epogen does to hemoglobin.
It's also great to be back to work. It has even further magnified the difference in my brain function (for lack of a better term). I am thinking much more clearly, and can multi-task MUCH better than 2-1/2 months ago when I was still on dialysis.
Another advantage of going back to work is that I am able to draw my own labs from my fistula (with help in filling the tubes and pulling the needle out). The lab at the hospital wouldn't allow me to do it, but I can do it in the clinic I work in. The reason I do it is because the veins in my non-fistula arm are terrible, and it's usually several sticks before they get it. As long as I have the fistula, I might as well use it, and save the veins in the other arm for a "rainy day". And yes, I am capable of doing it, as I self-cannulated the last several months I am on dialysis. Sticking a single 21 guage needle into my fistula 3-4 times a month is a piece of cake, especially compared to sticking two 15 guage dialysis needles (pipes) into it 3 times a WEEK. For those considering self-cannulation, my advice is that a lot of it is mental. Once you get over the hurdle of sticking the needle in, it's fairly easy. Granted, some have fistulas that are difficult even for the nurses, but if you have one like mine that is easy to even see, it's not that hard. And for those considering home hemo, I've heard that sticking the fistula using the "buttonhole" technique makes it much easier.
That's all for now. Back again next week to hopefully report an improvement in the neutropenia, and also, I hope to have a post discussing another transplant-related issue. Ideas welcome.
