REVELATIONS

A RECENT LETTER TO BOTH MY DAUGHTERS AND MY SISTER:

Hey kids/siblings or whatever,

I am having so much fun with all the challenges being strewn across my path. Some would say these are a burden. While I certainly understand that I've come to the conclusion that these events are not calamities but opportunities to grow; such a conclusion is born out of necessity lest I lose my mind.

What would be more boring than to go through life without these unbelievable events which serve to increase my knowledge of what a body consists of and how it works (and mostly doesn't work) thus increasing my ability to say to myself that I know a lot of stuff that maybe a lot of younger folks who have not experienced loss of balance, tripping over almost anything, loss of continence, loss of memory, while never arriving at a point where the number and severity of such ailments cease.

In any case I hope the history of these wonderful happenings that started in January of 2013 and have continued into this new year will enlighten you (joyfully, of course) in understanding what many joys you have yet to look forward to.  Enjoy!

Here are just a few events of recent happening:

I had blood drawn again at the clinic for half a dozen items Dr. N wants to check, in particular, low blood count and too great a number for Creatinine, a product of the kidney which is used as an indication of kidney disease/failure; I made sure I had sufficient hydration for the blood test since dehydration can be a cause of a higher count of creatinine.

Next day at  pre-op for my scheduled back surgery, I saw Dr. K; he asked me about my back pain and I responded that since my surgery to repair an aneurism (after my first visit to Dr K), the pain has been so reduced that I am able walk whereas the pain before the repair was so severe that I could hardly walk and needed a wheelchair. He was amazed and had never heard of a case where an aneurism repair had reduced severe back pain.  Then Dr K told me that having back surgery without the presence of severe back pain accompanied by pain shooting down my leg was not worth the risk; so the surgery was cancelled!

So now, back to physical therapy.

Love, 

Dad/Brother

MY FIRST BORN DAUGHTER RESPONDS:

Dad what is the prognosis in regards to the low blood count and high creatinine?  

Hope all is well. You are in our thoughts and prayers all the time. 

MY LETTER IN RETURN:

Dear S,

Thanks for noticing.  Of course these things are a bit unexpected but I have good vibes that things will be okay. The prognosis will come on Monday.  If my blood count is low this may account for my tiredness all the time and there are ways of raising the blood count like iron supplements.

The creatinine count being high concerned me more; however I have a feeling that I may have been dehydrated that morning because I have had the bad habit of not getting enough fluids in the morning after having had no fluids during the night.  I have now changed this to having some fluids during the night so that I am not overly dehydrated in the morning; 

Besides, I have a cup of buttermilk every day as suggested by the female doctor who helped me with the severe infections after my aneurism surgery with no antibiotics prescribed.  The buttermilk makes the urinary system acidic with acidophilus which has practically eliminated the burning feeling in the unitary tract.

So there is no reason for me to believe my kidney(s) are at risk.  We will find out Monday.  And always remember we have the beautiful caveat that our will always is subordinate to that of the Lord's!  Thanks for your loving concern; I really appreciate it.

Love, Dad