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Truly blessed

For all the medical issues I have, for all the uncertainty that exists in my future, for all the modifications I need to make to my lifestyle... I feel honestly and truly blessed.

Yes. I have an incurable disease that can possibly lead me down a path towards  dialysis, organ transplant, lifelong immunosuppressive drugs and early death.

But...

I don't have diabetes.

I don't have a history of aneurysms in my family.

My blood pressure is well-managed.

My risk for cardiovascular events is low.

I work for a company with good healthcare.

My job allows me the flexibility to go to doctor appointments and labs. 

I have friends and family who love and support me.

Could be much, much worse.
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Artificial kidney

I have a somewhat fanciful thought of what an artificial kidney would look like. I see a device that is shaped like a kidney (of course) but is completely clear so you could see all the blood circulating through it. Granted, once it's implanted no one's going to see it but - hey - it's my vision. The closest picture I can find of what's in my mind's eye is this image. Granted, that's a picture of a kidney-shaped paper weight and it's a little cloudy, but I know you can picture it too. My, oh my. My imagination is not even close to reality. According to a post from the American Journal of Kidney Diseases , there are three new approaches being explored right now: the automated wearable artificial kidney ('AWAK'), the wearable artificial kidney ('WAK') and the implantable artificial kidney ('IAK'). My money's on the IAK and you'll understand why once I show you the concept pictures of the other two. The AWAK is said to ...
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Oops I did it again

Oops! I advocated for myself again. After getting the results from my latest CBC (Complete Blood Count), my doctor put me on daily Vitamin D-3 to increase levels but did not recommend iron supplementation for (what I consider) borderline anemia. I was glad to hear low Vitamin D might be adding to increased fatigue but I still wondered... I have a history of low Ferritin levels, despite sufficient RBC/hemoglobin counts. So... I made an appointment with an independent lab and had them check my iron levels. Results? My Ferritin level is at 51, well within the 'normal' range of 100-232. Still, I wondered... So I did further research. My low Ferritin level was originally discovered when I was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome (but I may actually have Periodic Limb Movement Disorder). So I looked up literature regarding recommended Ferritin levels given RLS/PLMD. Huh. Treatment recommendations are that Ferritin be no lower than 75 for people with RLS/PLMD. Bingo! ...
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