The Kidney Specialist

Today was a stressful day for me as most of you are aware of. Fortunately, I had my faithful husband and one of my devoted daughters with me as I went to the kidney specialist. Ken had occasion to use this doctor a year or so ago when he messed up his kidneys by taking too much Ibuprofen. To tell you the truth I never knew the doctor's name. I confessed on the way home that I definitely have tendencies toward racism. Last names tell me a lot about a person or at least I'm convinced of that. This man's last name screamed Persian of some sort. I rather balked at that but Ken told me he was a very nice man and I would like him.

We were genuinely welcomed by the staff as we arrived. Not the normal type of doctor's office. The receptionist was sweet as sugar. The nurse had a smile in her eyes that was comforting. She took all my information and said I would be just fine. I wasn't so sure I would believe that. Then the doctor came in. He had a very easy way about him. As he looked over my records, he reminded me that this was not a new problem. For the last eight years I have experienced heart failure. I knew that but for many years I tried to deny it. Diuretics are my lifeline but when the kidneys have had enough they start to scream. Hence the cardiologists decision to send me to this guy. He checked my body over and said it was obvious I was carrying quite a bit of water retention. He felt there was a bit of water in one of my lungs. His decision is to double up on my diuretic for five days in hopes that amount of time will be enough to take this fluid off. Then we will see. He said my condition is one of trying to balance enough fluid but not too much. This will be something I will have to watch from day to day. He did not seem overly concerned. He said if I didn't lose eight pounds by Monday, I should call him because he has other tricks up his sleeve. He said he expected I would feel much better in a few days. That was good news.

Soooooo. Please pray my body will expel the fluid it needs to get rid of. Pray also that my body will find a comfortable balance. Thank God for seeing me through this day that I have been so fearful of.