Finally an update!

No News is Good News is how the saying goes. However, no news in this case means nothing has changed. Until this week that is. 'Kevin' the kidney sadly has never worked properly and remains 'lazy'. So the decision has been made to put me back on the transplant list. My consultant contacted me earlier …

Straws in the Wind?

It's just over eleven weeks post-op. In short things are as they have been all along. Kevin my sulking kidney is still not doing it's main job i.e. producing urine in any significant quantity. Without specifics there has been a tiny increase in output but not in any way measurable. So dialysis continues three evening …

Food Matters

I was visited by the dietician on Friday. She talked me through the dietary issues and the changes I need to make in the short term, medium and long term. Short Term The next few weeks until the new kidney kicks in Keep salt levels low Avoid high potassium foods such as bananas, avocados and …

Filling My Days

I have now been in Churchill for 11 days. Having spent much of that time in ICU and now on the Renal Transplant Ward. What exactly goes on in the day and how do I keep myself occupied? The day starts at about 6am when blood pressure, temperature and SpO2 readings are taken. These will …

Filling in the Blanks

I realise that between May and December of last year I somewhat neglected this blog so this is an attempt to fill in the blanks. In May I took up Couch to 5K and made good and steady progress reaching Week 8 and completing several 30 min runs. I was doing really well until at …

Cutting The Lawn

It’s a small thing - probably something that most of you have done already this year. Certainly the lawn needed a good trim. However, for me it is a sign of a return to normality. Since last summer I really have not had the energy to contemplate much in the way of housework let alone …

The Longest Night

Today is the winter solstice. The shortest day of the year in terms of daylight. So conversely the longest period of night. My insomnia continues to be an issue and so for all but 18 minutes of last night I lay awake. You can imagine this ongoing sleep deprivation is shattering. I have three dialysis …

Bottom of a Bucket

Kidney Disease is so insidious. There are so many different symptoms which combine to make life difficult. The incessant itching and insomnia are bad enough. Now as my kidney approaches the end of its function (remember I only have one kidney!) not only has my appetite dropped through the floor but I am having trouble …

Back To Work

The Alexa speaker alarm goes off. It is 5:45am, in my usual workday routine I will listen to the radio (UCB1) whilst coming round and jump into the shower by 6:45am. Downstairs to eat breakfast and make lunch whilst listening to Radio 4, before leaving the house at 7:30am. It takes 25 mins to drive …

The Boy in the Bed

In a ward of grumpy old men there was one who was much younger. Almost half my age (a little over 30) but looking half of even this. Severely disabled he did not speak, face mask to aid breathing up often removed with deliberate yet uncontrolled hands. Whatever his needs they were mental and physical …

Barrier

My year long sick leave is over. I have been signed back for to work. This has meant an end to ESA (Employment Support Allowance) and a move to JSA (Job Seekers Allowance). This is something I want to be on for as short a time as possible. Being on benefits is a bit soul …

One Year

A year ago I was living in Mwanza. In fact, though I did not know it at the time, this day (April 1st) would be my last full day in Tanzania. A year ago tomorrow we would be heading off for a holiday in Kenya. However, Easter is a moveable feast and as such has …

Mum

Today is a day of celebration. It's Mum's birthday and I won't say how many years. It also marks the end of my time in Lincoln as later this weekend I will return to MK. I can't express how grateful I am to Mum for providing a home for me over much of these past …

Still Here!

It has been a fortnight since I left hospital and for now I remain in Lincoln. The plan however is to return to MK at the weekend and transfer medically to that region. Life has been somewhat mundane and little has happened. Time has blurred. I have been on several walks in the local nature …

Why Lincoln?

I was released from hospital a day earlier than expected and given transport back to Lincoln. It is here I will be staying for the coming few weeks as I recuperate. Lincoln is my family home. It is also the UK hospital where I was first diagnosed and treated for Myeloma. When my wife (Anita)  …