3/12/25

 We met with the nephrologist today. I had all my questions, did my research AND Ethan and I were able to join remotely from different locations! Yay!

So after the bloodwork from last time, Ethan’s kidney values have stabilized. Yay! We are moving forward with immunologic testing. Based on that, we will likely add in a medication or two. 

Managing these kidney levels, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, protien and all the other things is exhausting. The medications that help with one thing, throw something else out of whack. The nephrologist wants to be certain she is picking the right combination. 

I have been measuring Ethan’s blood pressure and reported it has been higher than I want it. We could add a medication to help with blood pressure, but that could increase the kidney values. The reason his blood pressure went up is because of his ADHD medication. If he discontinues that, he has a harder time focusing at work. It’s not that high, but higher than I would like for his dainty kidney.

My mom said it is like conducting an orchestra. It was the perfect analogy.

There are three medication groups to choose from to control protien spillage in the urine. 2 can increase the potassium (no we don’t want that screwing with his heart) and one can make kidney values worse (no thank you). So it is balancing the lesser of the two evils. If his kidney values have stabilized we can choose the one without the risk of raising the potassium. 

Ethan has to get some additional testing done before next month’s appointment. April will be a big month. Ethan will get his cardio work up as well. He will have his annual echo and appointment.

I do feel like my questions were answered and we have a plan in place to make sure we are doing all the right things to extend the life of this kidney. I even like the plan. It didn’t feel like I had to fight for things. It didn’t feel rushed.

In one of my and Ethan’s heart transplant groups online posted a story about a guy that survived 100 days with a mechanical heart. His heart was in such bad shape, they removed it and gave him a mechanical heart. It allowed him to have a bit more time to find him a heart to be donated. He received his new heart (from a human) and they removed the mechanical one. Amazing.

This guy was living outside of the hospital. He was living his life waiting for a new heart. This is a game changer for the transplant community! Science is so cool! They are also doing research on genetically modified animal organs too. 

I worked with Moe a lot with his training. He has gotten even better at laying down. We practiced stay and recall. We are working on waiting for the “ok” to do certain activities. We are to the point he can sit and stay…then I put a snack on the floor. He waits for the “ok” before he can have it. 

My main goal with training is to get him comfortable around strangers. But learning with Moe is fun too. He definitely is a dog that needs rules and structure.

Tomorrow is our first class. I strongly encouraged Paul to go me. Paul is the “fun dad”. Paul hasn’t read the rules or practiced any of the commands.  He is just going to wing it.