Race Against Time

It’s now three weeks since my Fistula operation. The procedure has been a success and the scar is healing well. Unfortunately my health has deteriorated somewhat. My kidney is very much in the last stage of Chronic Kidney Disease. I have a GFR of just 3. This is a measure of my kidney’s ability to …

Leaving a Bitter Taste in the Mouth

It was in February of this year I first noticed this. At the time I had no idea why. In the months since it has been a constant presence. Sometimes subtle, sometimes overwhelming. At its worst it has induced nausea. In Nairobi, just before the diagnosis of Myeloma it was acute. A bitter, salty, metallic …

Renal etc

Today I had a mammoth trip to Lincoln County Hospital meeting with two consultants as well as having my Hickman Line checked and prescriptions issued. All in all I spent four and a half hours in hospital, but unlike previous visits there was relatively little waiting. The day began at 9:40 when I arrived at …

Kidney Conundrum

The ongoing effect of my poor kidney function on my treatment.

Yesterday in Nottingham I met with my consultant to consider the final phase of treatment which would again involve a high dose of chemotherapy followed by stem cell implantation. This was scheduled for October but has now been put on hold.

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Progression

A progress update at the end of the second cycle.

GFR

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a measure of the effectiveness of the kidney function. The basic job of the kidney is to filter the waste from the blood supply and produce a filtrate which goes on to form urine. The GFR is determined from blood samples which I have taken twice a week. This is …