Going Back To Hospital

PICTURE GENTRY TOOK OF ME THE OTHER NIGHT

So, I'd MUCH rather talk about something funny that Gentry's done, or something fun we'd done as a family this week, or something cool I found while out and about, but unfortunately, this week has forced me to take another hard look at the condition of my health and thus...this blog is an update on things.

I got home from the hospital this afternoon around 2:30 p.m. only to have my doctor call me back around 5:30 p.m. and let me know that I have to be admitted back into the hospital tomorrow morning for an intense treatment therapy for my lupus.

The preliminary results came back from my kidney biopsy that I had and it really wasn't what I was wanting to hear. I'll try to simplify as much as possible because all the medical jargon gets a little confusing after a while.

Bottom line is the lupus is very active again in my kidneys and the "filters" in the kidney that clean the blood (glomeruli)...half of them are irreparably damaged and will not ever regain function. The other half of the "filters" are having to work overtime to filter and clean my blood properly, thus putting an undue strain on my kidney function causing my creatinine to be high. I have approximately 35-40% kidney function at this time.

With lupus, my immune system is "confused" and instead of fighting off the "bad things" for my body like infections, etc, it thinks my kidneys are "bad" and my immune system is trying to "kill off" my kidneys. It "thinks" it's doing the right thing for my body, but the DNA is just faulty and reversed. THEREFORE...they are giving me an IV drug that will wipe out most of my B-cells which is part of the White Blood Cell System that produces antibodies. The goal is to suppress the immune system enough to trick the B-cells into not attacking the kidney any further and killing off the remaining function of the kidneys.

I will go back into the hospital and be hooked up to an IV which will give me this drug called "Rituximab" and then also be put on a higher IV dose of steroids. I am supposed to be in the hospital for two days and hopefully get to come back home on Saturday. The good news is it isn't like the chemo I've had in the past that makes me sick and so, so weak for months at a time. The doctor told me I will feel like I'm fighting a cold or flu for a few days, but no hair loss or throwing up like the chemo I've had in the past. This drug is mainly used to treat B-cell lymphoma, so hopefully it will be strong enough to deal with the acute process of the lupus going on in my kidneys.

I am frustrated because I feel like I've done everything I know to do as far as following dr's advice through the years, but I'm also hopeful that this new drug will work for me and preserve what kidney function I have left. So, what would the next step be if this doesn't work??? Well, I'd like not to have to even entertain the idea, but it would eventually be dialysis & hopefully a transplant.

But....we've got a long way to go before we get to that point. I feel like I'm under great care with the kidney doctor I have. He studied & did his fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, which is one of the top 10 hospitals in the nation. So, I know he knows what he's doing. Combine all of that with prayers and lots of hope, faith & support and I think I've got a winning combination.

Gonna get some rest before my guys get in. Pretty sore from having three big needles stuck in my back yesterday. The good news is I'm not allowed to do any housework for 2 weeks...so I'm going to enjoy that for sure!!

Thanks again for your concern, prayers & well-wishes. They truly keep me going on days I'd rather not face. I hope one day I can repay all of your acts of kindness to me & my family!!

Many Blessings - Mel