Hiccups update

 Well well.

So high level discussions between Butter Bean doc, cardiologist, pharmacist, assistant Butter bean doc, assistant Cardiologist, nurse practitioner (Queen of Renal) and me.  Lots of talk about how my oncology drugs also raise potassium, my AF control drug raises Potassium, how my AF drug reduces my already low blood pressure. Then they when on to changing my AF drug and add anticoagulant and drop aspirin. But how does that affect my high platettes?

Light bulb moment as the Cardi suggest I get ablation in brisbane. They zap the electrical circuits in my heart and I get rid of AF completely and off the drugs. They changed my drug for now and will investigate the op for six months. I’m back on weekly visits to Doc Butter Bean. If my morning potassium reading is below 6 I get to go home. If over they pull blood again and walk it directly to lab, as they still fear slow delivery in past samples may be affecting K levels. If still high I stay in and on telemetry. 

For those of you playing along at home you already know I don’t name my cast mates in this little drama because what I report is what I THINK they said.

Off to see Doc ShoozenBootzen on Tuesday.

Hiccups

 It’s been a while, a long while since my last post. I’m 18 years post bone marrow transplant or more accurately post peripheral blood stem cell transplant, thanks to great science, great Docs and Nurses and my brother Derrek Olin. Im also two years poet deceased donor solid organ transplant for my kidney. Thanks to the above and a nameless donor and their family. 

Okay news later.

Things I’ve learned:

(Why on earth is he making another list...he always forgets things!)

My wife is a hero!

You can have artificially Chimerism, the broad definition is two people in one but in this case two different blood types that can trade dominance from time to time. 

Nurses are great humans! 

Docs are the smartest people. 

I know more about my body and it’s processes than I even thought I would . Or even may have wanted.

Doctor Red knows even more than I.

I can make even the sternest faced Doc laughter so hard they double over.(it’s so fun to try)

Hospitals are not designed to allow a good night’s sleep.

Now the news I’m back in one.

For a few weeks I’ve been aware that my AF is not fully controlled and night before last I had a rough night up to pee many times and palpitations. My new watch told me I had periods of very high heart rate. I consulted the state register nurse hotline, my doctor by phone and they all agreed go onto emergency. I presented with high heart rate and they started looking. I got two different antibiotics in case some underling infection, maybe rejection of kidney. Etc

They ruled out somethings last night as my heart rate came down to normal for me...very low, the incorrect data about high creatin was thrown out. In fact it’s 109 the lowest it’s been for me. Scanned my new kidney, beautiful shinning butter bean (not exactly Docs words). Taught about pill cutter so my heart meds can be dosed more accurately. Stress and environment cleared pretty quickly (Apparently getting a new stove with poor directions is more of good stress than bad). 

It is now suspected that my high potassium (bad for hearts) trigged my AF. So I’m eating styrofoam balls coated with medication to trap potassium and expelled it.  I’m also back on the lasix express. As that also gets rid of the dreaded K. (Periodic table symbol for Potassium. 

Recheck my levels tomorrow and out of here, tuned up and better then ever!