Check and Check

I have officially completed my responsibility of the next step, which was the 24hour urine collection followed by blood work.

The 24 hour urine collection wasn't that fun.  More annoying that anything but it did give me an excuse to stay in and have Video Game day.  11 hours of Skyrim played this weekend because I didn't want to tote around my urine jug. ick.  But I finished that at  6am this morning and am glad to be done with it.

Having finished that this morning I left early for work in search of the labcorp that opened at 6:45am hoping to get there when it opened.  But I drove by it the first time without realizing it (I think all labcorps have bad signage) making me get there at 7am.  Walking in after calling work to mention I'd be late I found a packed waiting room, and this isn't even the part of the office that does all the employee drug screens.  So I had to wait 45min to be seen.  But then I gave my blood and was told I would have to give another urine sample.  I found this ironic because I had given them a whole container and been told not to eat or drink anything that morning because of the blood work.... I don't know where they expect it to come from???  But I gave it to them and left with the tech there wishing me good luck as I walked out the door.

They told me that UMMC should have the results in 3 days but to give them another day or two to look at it, so maybe by the end of this week I'll have all the results.  UMMC has been doing things fast so hopefully everything turns out okay and its on to the next step.    Progress.

Kidney in 2014, is the goal of this year.  

Dealing With A Needle Phobic recipient Part 2

I WAS ABLE TO MAKE HIM GET BLOOD WORK!!!!!!

Okay, I don't know if it is that exciting but it is exciting.  After taking him out for a Chic-Fil-a Breakfast and trying to actually find the lab corp, Dave gave blood pretty easily for him.  I made him lay down and just stood by him while the guy did his thing.  It was kind of cool because the phlebotomist was a dialysis patient who had had a transplant as well as tried peritoneal Dialysis(PD).  PD is something Dave may be looking into considering his dislike of needles(but we are all hoping for a transplant instead).  The phlebotomist apparently didn't like PD, so who knows?  He also mentioned how he had a transplant from his Aunt that lasted 7 or 8 years (lets hope Dave's will last longer!) and that it was odd because before the transplant he hated celery, and his aunt loved it, then after the transplant he loved celery.  Weird?  Maybe if I give Dave a kidney he will like tomatoes?

On another note I think he is getting a lot better with his fear of needles and being stuck.  He did awesome.  Which is a good sign for the future after transplant when he has to give blood frequently to get his kidney function checked.

While at lab corp I picked up my HUGE urine container.... fun... But the lady who gave it to me said I could keep it outside to keep it cold which I feel is a great idea.  YAY more refrigerator space!  Hopefully I will get that done next Sunday, then return it Monday and do some more blood tests to find out more info about be being able to donate.  I'm wondering how long it will take UMMC to get the results after I drop off the container and do the blood work?  Hopefully quick so I can know whats next!

Thanks for reading! 

Dealing with a Needle phobic Recepiant

Right now as I wait for a day when I will be home continuously to do the 24hour urine culture (don't want to be traveling around town that day), which is hard during the holidays my constant battle is dealing with my boyfriend who is needle phobic to the extreme.  This is why he cringes every time the word fistula is mentioned.

He currently needs to get more blood work done for the UMMC to be put on their list.  At Hopkins this was all done on they day of his appointment meaning he was super nervous, shaky, anxious, fainty once and it was over.  At UMMC they did the blood type and tissue typing blood test at his appointment, which was one stick, and said due to insurance purposes he needed to go to Lab Corp to get the rest done.  This leaves me the mission of getting him to lab corp.

This mission/quest if I chose to take it (and not just convince his mom to do it) will be very difficult.  When ever I mention blood work or lab corp he gets quiet and tenses up.  His fear is real if irrational.  I tried to bribe him with breakfast out and an early Christmas present last Saturday if he went (you see lab corp is only open in the morning Saturdays or normal work hours M-F).  This failed because I have no will when he looks so sad.  His whole demeanor changes when he may be stuck by a needle.  I don't know how to convince him to go?  Maybe after the Holidays I shall try again.

If anyone reads this any hints or ideas would be greatly appreciated!  Its like trying to get a child to get a shot, he knows the fear he has is irrational he just does not know how to get over it.  At UMMC I had to basically hold him in his seat for the phebotomist to be able to stick him without him moving away.

So this is my daily struggle with him.  I won't be able to be much of a donor for him if he doesn't meet his requirements.

I don't know how often I am going to update this, but I think just as I become inspired to write about something I will update.  It may be sporadic but I hope to cover a lot in this blog.  Its good to get all my thoughts and ideas out in the open for me to really think about.