Want to hear from others who have Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Posted by anet @anet, Oct 21, 2019

My husband who is 75 is in stage 4 kidney disease according to his gfr. His last Gfr was 27. That sounds terrible to me, but his nephrologist says he is stable. He is not diabetic. His creatinine is 3.2, albumin 4.1. Phosphorus, sodium, calcium, potassium are all normal. His blood pressure is controlled by medication. He exercises by walking one and a half miles every day. He has two heart stents and takes cholesterol medicine. He has shortness of breath on occasion, but still does all of his normal activities like light yard work, fishing, dining out, going to church activities. I do think he sits too much, but try not to nag. He is not good about eating healthy, but is getting better. Maybe I am just worrying too much. Would like to hear from others in this stage of kidney disease.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder Support Group.

@fiesty76

Goodness, Jane, you sound like a real trooper and someone I would enjoy having as a close neighbor! My nephew was paralyzed and also incontinent but also being very independent, he refused to leave his town and friends to come live with me. It was so difficult living hundreds of miles away but his friends were absolutely wonderful in helping and checking in on him. He lived for many years but died suddenly of a totally unrelated accident. I so admire you and others in similar situations who continue to do all you accomplish.

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I play golf (rather badly) from this special golf cart for the disabled. I played quite well for 40 years as a regular golfer, but now I have to learn all over again while strapped into my cart. The seat turns sideways and I hit from my seat.

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@fiesty76

Goodness, Jane, you sound like a real trooper and someone I would enjoy having as a close neighbor! My nephew was paralyzed and also incontinent but also being very independent, he refused to leave his town and friends to come live with me. It was so difficult living hundreds of miles away but his friends were absolutely wonderful in helping and checking in on him. He lived for many years but died suddenly of a totally unrelated accident. I so admire you and others in similar situations who continue to do all you accomplish.

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I’m getting another stent in my heart tomorrow, so wish me luck. I had bypass surgery ten years ago and I have six new blockages. When it rains, it pours! The virus hasn’t hit very many people here yet, so I hope that I won’t pick up anything in the hospital. I want to come home right after the procedure where I feel safe. I miss having contact with my friends. I love cooking for eight people for dinner and serving a nice wine to go with the meal; that is except when I make a Mexican dinner, then I serve Margheritas.

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@darlingtondoll

I’m getting another stent in my heart tomorrow, so wish me luck. I had bypass surgery ten years ago and I have six new blockages. When it rains, it pours! The virus hasn’t hit very many people here yet, so I hope that I won’t pick up anything in the hospital. I want to come home right after the procedure where I feel safe. I miss having contact with my friends. I love cooking for eight people for dinner and serving a nice wine to go with the meal; that is except when I make a Mexican dinner, then I serve Margheritas.

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Good luck, Jane @darlingtondoll It is an especially trying time to have to have a procedure done at the hospital. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.
I understand missing contact with friends. Did you know that we started a discussion group dedicated to COVID-19? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/covid-19/

Some of the discussions are focused on staying social connected, virtually, with Connect friends. Your beautiful pictures would be a great addition in this discussion:
- Visual Escapes and Daily Inspirations: Share Yours https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/visual-escapes-and-daily-inspirations-share-yours/

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@darlingtondoll

I’m getting another stent in my heart tomorrow, so wish me luck. I had bypass surgery ten years ago and I have six new blockages. When it rains, it pours! The virus hasn’t hit very many people here yet, so I hope that I won’t pick up anything in the hospital. I want to come home right after the procedure where I feel safe. I miss having contact with my friends. I love cooking for eight people for dinner and serving a nice wine to go with the meal; that is except when I make a Mexican dinner, then I serve Margheritas.

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Will be thinking of you, Jane, as you have your surgery tomorrow. Wishing you an easy and speedy recovery...and then, I and other of your connect friends will gladly be awaiting invitations to what sound like lovely dinner evenings in your home. Sending you cyber hugs!

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@darlingtondoll

I’m getting another stent in my heart tomorrow, so wish me luck. I had bypass surgery ten years ago and I have six new blockages. When it rains, it pours! The virus hasn’t hit very many people here yet, so I hope that I won’t pick up anything in the hospital. I want to come home right after the procedure where I feel safe. I miss having contact with my friends. I love cooking for eight people for dinner and serving a nice wine to go with the meal; that is except when I make a Mexican dinner, then I serve Margheritas.

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Oh, how my nephew would have loved your gold cart. He was an avid golfer and would have been out playing any day weather permitted. Years ago, he was the first in TX to receive a companion dog and drove his especially equipped cadillac from TX to CA to be trained with new companion, Escort. Can't remember now how many commands Escort responded to but he became an instant favorite of all who saw the two best friends together. Will be thinking of you today and wishing you home soon with a speedy recovery.

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@colleenyoung

Good luck, Jane @darlingtondoll It is an especially trying time to have to have a procedure done at the hospital. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.
I understand missing contact with friends. Did you know that we started a discussion group dedicated to COVID-19? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/covid-19/

Some of the discussions are focused on staying social connected, virtually, with Connect friends. Your beautiful pictures would be a great addition in this discussion:
- Visual Escapes and Daily Inspirations: Share Yours https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/visual-escapes-and-daily-inspirations-share-yours/

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I’m a hemophiliac and I spoke with the doctor beforehand telling him that I usually get two units of frozen plasma before this procedure. He smiled at me and said that it wasn’t needed. An hour after my stent was placed, I began to bleed at the site where the needle was inserted. Two nurses put their weight on the area for 15 minutes and the bleeding stopped. This morning I had several episodes of chest pain like when I had a mild heart attack. I was supposed to call 911, but I really didn’t want to go back to the hospital. I took my Plavix blood thinner and I feel much better now. I have been resting in bed and taking it easy. Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts. I feel like you are all my friends even though we may never meet and share a meal together.

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Jane, Thank goodness you had 2 nurse "angels" caring for you following your stint and bleed! Happy to learn you are home from the procedure, beginning to feel better and taking it easy. Years ago, a member and I of the same online gardening group became cyber friends and correspond regularly. It has been a wonderful friendship enriched even more because, although we both are U.S. citizens, we live in such incredibly different locales... her in NYC and me in TX.

Like you, I feel like the members we connect with on the different threads offered by Mayo Clinic have become an important part of my friend support network. We are so fortunate to have this new online opportunity to come together and share bits of our lives and experiences with others we may never meet in person but who are touching our daily lives in very meaningful ways. Sending you gentle cyber hugs and smiles as you continue your recovery.

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@fiesty76

Jane, Thank goodness you had 2 nurse "angels" caring for you following your stint and bleed! Happy to learn you are home from the procedure, beginning to feel better and taking it easy. Years ago, a member and I of the same online gardening group became cyber friends and correspond regularly. It has been a wonderful friendship enriched even more because, although we both are U.S. citizens, we live in such incredibly different locales... her in NYC and me in TX.

Like you, I feel like the members we connect with on the different threads offered by Mayo Clinic have become an important part of my friend support network. We are so fortunate to have this new online opportunity to come together and share bits of our lives and experiences with others we may never meet in person but who are touching our daily lives in very meaningful ways. Sending you gentle cyber hugs and smiles as you continue your recovery.

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I had to call 911 at 3 AM this morning with bad chest pains. I asked to come home after they decided that I was not having another hear attack. I feel safer from the virus at home. So now I am resting in bed and staying safe. I keep talking my nitro and a whole aspirin.

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Jane, glad you got checked out and were able to return home. The one thing we know during great care in a hospital is that "rest" for the patient falls to the bottom of every list. Good news that you can be snug and comfy in the safety of your own home.

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@fiesty76

Jane, glad you got checked out and were able to return home. The one thing we know during great care in a hospital is that "rest" for the patient falls to the bottom of every list. Good news that you can be snug and comfy in the safety of your own home.

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I’m glad to be safe at home. I don’t want to get the virus and we rarely leave the house.

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