Creatinine on the rise
Even though my b.p. was under control my creatinine continued to rise. I was trying to figure out what I was doing wrong or what I could do to control the creatinine. I knew that the b.p. could no longer be the cause and turned to look at my diet. I started getting blood drawn on a regular basis- once every 1.5 months. The prescription was for CBC (complete blood count) and CMP (complete metabolic panel). With every blood draw my creatinine would rise by 0.1 or 0.2. By mid-May 2012 my creatinine level was close to 4.0. Dr. RR told me that if this trend continued and the levels crossed 6.0 I would need dialysis. I was not prepared for this. He also advised me to get listed for a kidney transplant at a center.I had a few choices to go to in Chicago for a transplant and I chose RUSH.
Listing at RUSH, Chicago
Getting listed a Kidney Transplant Center (KTC) is a necessary first step towards finding a donor kidney. The process is lengthy with multiple and long appointments and a series of tests. KTCs are normally at University Hospitals. The KTC's financial coordinator contacted my insurance to get the visits and tests approved before scheduling. In turn the insurance appoints a case manager who worked with me through the entire process until transplant. May case manager is Caryl Taylor. Earlier, I had written a post on the process of my getting listed at RUSH. One of the key learnings at the KTC was from my meeting with the dietician. I was asked to keep my daily protein intake to 25 gm. I also got a list of high, and Ok potassium (K) in foods. They also told me that I would need all tests redone once a year to stay on the transplant list. In addition, I had to get blood drawn, monthly, and mailed for cross-matching with available donors. This was sent via USPS to a 'Gift of Hope' center.
Even though my b.p. was under control my creatinine continued to rise. I was trying to figure out what I was doing wrong or what I could do to control the creatinine. I knew that the b.p. could no longer be the cause and turned to look at my diet. I started getting blood drawn on a regular basis- once every 1.5 months. The prescription was for CBC (complete blood count) and CMP (complete metabolic panel). With every blood draw my creatinine would rise by 0.1 or 0.2. By mid-May 2012 my creatinine level was close to 4.0. Dr. RR told me that if this trend continued and the levels crossed 6.0 I would need dialysis. I was not prepared for this. He also advised me to get listed for a kidney transplant at a center.I had a few choices to go to in Chicago for a transplant and I chose RUSH.
Listing at RUSH, Chicago
Getting listed a Kidney Transplant Center (KTC) is a necessary first step towards finding a donor kidney. The process is lengthy with multiple and long appointments and a series of tests. KTCs are normally at University Hospitals. The KTC's financial coordinator contacted my insurance to get the visits and tests approved before scheduling. In turn the insurance appoints a case manager who worked with me through the entire process until transplant. May case manager is Caryl Taylor. Earlier, I had written a post on the process of my getting listed at RUSH. One of the key learnings at the KTC was from my meeting with the dietician. I was asked to keep my daily protein intake to 25 gm. I also got a list of high, and Ok potassium (K) in foods. They also told me that I would need all tests redone once a year to stay on the transplant list. In addition, I had to get blood drawn, monthly, and mailed for cross-matching with available donors. This was sent via USPS to a 'Gift of Hope' center.
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