Finally got my Echocardiogram report back and it is pretty good. The tech and the doctor are amazed that my heart has not been damaged more after all it has gone through. The report is:

2D Findings:
Left ventricle size and wall thickness and systolic function, are normal.
Normal mitral valve. Moderate mitral regurgitation (a backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium in systole across a diseased mitral valve).
Thickened and calcified aortic valve cusps with reduced mobility.
Moderate aortic insufficiency.
Normal right ventricle size and function. Moderate pulmonary hypertension.
Normal tricuspid valve with moderate tricuspid regurgitation.
Normal atria.
No pericardial effusion.

Impression:
Sclerotic aortic valve with moderate aortic insufficiency.
Normal left ventricle size and function.
Moderate mitral regurgitation.

In short, my heart has problems but is still strong and pumping away.

Everything else is about the same, dialysis three times a week and still getting blood every two weeks. It has been almost two months since I have received platelets. They are staying stable and this week they went from 14,000 to 16,000. That is good news. Of course, they are far from normal (140,000-440,000) but at least they are stable and went up a little on their own.

I hope your Thanksgivings were wonderful and your Christmas and New Year are the best ever.

Things have been pretty much the same so I have not been diligent in writing in my blog. But the last couple of weeks, I have not felt well and have experienced a sharp pain in my chest in the area where the catheter ends. This pain radiates into the lower spine area and even makes my lower lip tingle. Sounds silly but that describes it. My nephrologist at dialysis, Dr. Shori, wanted me to go back to my cardiologist, Dr. Mott, to check my heart. I had not seen him since 2004 because of my other problems; he said they overshadowed everything else. I saw him Wednesday and he did an ekg and could tell there had been some changes since the last time but he was surprised there had not been more changes because of all that had taken place. I go in next Thursday for more testing but he said there would be very little he could do for me even if I came into his office having a heart attack because of my low platelet count and I would be too great a risk. I know that may seem a bit harsh but I appreciate doctors who are honest and straightforward with me. All he will be able to do is try medications. He has started me on Isosorbide to be taken on the days I do not have dialysis. Dr. Shori has started me on Nexium so we shall see if there is any change.

I went to Dr. Fenves, my nephrologist in Dallas, Tuesday and he was pretty impressed with most of my numbers other than the ferritin level. It is still at such a high level there is a great chance that it will start to damage my heart and liver.

Seems I am like a dog chasing their tail I just go round and round and things just keep going down hill. Thank goodness for my family and friends because they make all things bearable.

I had the Echocardiogram and have not received the official results but while I was having the test, the nurse/tech said it all looked good and clean. I know I have a murmur and a regurgitating valve and wanted to hear it. She said it is not the same that the doctors and nurses hear when they are listening to my chest but she turned on the sound and told me the sound I should hear. Sure enough, there was a small pop or click and she said the next sound was the murmur. She also told me the sound to listen for that was the valve closing too slowly and that is what allows some blood to leak back into my heart. Very interesting.

I had another Free Lite testing, the last one I had was in January and the numbers have made some movement. Free Kappa Lite Chains, S is 46.60 and it was 61.70 in January the Free Lambda Lite Chains, S is 61.90 and was 89.3 in January. Normal FKLC is 3.30-19.40 and FLLC normal is 5.71-26.30. My numbers are still high but at least the movement is in the right direction. I am still able to go about two weeks between packed red blood cell transfusions and it has been over a month since I have had a transfusion of platelets. My platelet number is staying around 13,000 – 15,000 and as long as they stay level, I will not have to receive a transfusion. As I have said normal platelet count is between 140,000 – 440,000. They feel mine will probably never rise above where they are now and as long as I do not have an accident or hemorrhage, I should be o.k.

Dialysis is still about the same but I can tell my energy level is not as good as it used to be. Rest is the best thing for me and that enables me to pretty much do what I need. I have made some choices and will be cutting back on activities that do not involve my family and friends. Those are the most important things to me and I want to keep my energy for my family and most especially for our wonderful grandsons. We have a great weekend planned after Thanksgiving for Arthur, Alan, Robert and me. I am looking forward to it as much as the grandkids. We will be at the Gaylord for the Lone Star Christmas and the presentation of Ice. Fun time with Arthur, the grandkids, beautiful hotel and great food for a weekend…who would not be looking forward to it.