December 30, 2019 - my first day of retirement

So the first day of retirement did not go exactly as I had planned. I got up at the same time as usual - 

7am - to be at Falmouth Hospital by 8:30 am - the time I had recently started working. I headed off for 

preop testing thinking that I would finish packing for a quick trip to Ireland after I saw the surgeon at 

10:30 am. I was flying over tonight to check out the architects/engineers about renovating the old house.Everything went very smoothly - I registered - had labs and EKG - chest Xray - then the preop 

interview with a nurse. All that was left was to meet with the anesthesiologist. She thought that my PCP had done a great history and physical. She got the lab results and asked if I knew I was anemic - I was 

surprised at that. Then she asked if I had kidney disease - I was shocked at that! She said my BUN and

Creatinine were quite elevated. I said that I might be a little dehydrated - I had only had time for a half 

cup of juice this morning. Then she said my Globular Filtration Rate was 29!! I don't know that much 

about kidney disease BUT I knew that kidney dialysis starts at about 15!! I was in shock! She was 

explaining that the GFR is normally 60 or higher. She checked my labs from 2 years ago and said that 

the GFR at that time was 40 - didn't anyone look into it? At that time the surgeon was checking for 

Titanium poisoning - he wanted to rule it out when I went to him about a hip revision. He told me that 

there was no poisoning - that was all I was concerned about! I had felt fine - why would I think there 

was anything wrong with my kidneys?!?!

The anesthesiologist was saying that at least there were 2 weeks before the surgery to investigate what
was going on. I said that I guess I should postpone my trip to Ireland tonight - she was very apologetic - she said that she knew how much went into a trip like that - but it was best to cancel and maybe the
revision should be canceled as well - she would talk with the surgeon.
As I walked out to the parking lot, I was asking myself "do I feel dizzy? a little lightheaded? maybe
nauseous?" I don't remember all the symptoms of kidney disease - was I feeling anxious and trying to
come up with symptoms? I went to call Mike who was driving to Shannon today to meet me at the
airport tomorrow morning at 6 am, but I had forgotten my phone at home. I drove down to the surgeon's office - I had hip X-rays - filled out paper work - then was told I could go home - someone would be in touch. I had told the receptionist about the kidney results - she was going to tell the surgeon and
scheduler that the anesthesiologist would be calling.
I got home about 11:15 am and texted Mike - he was halfway to Shannon. He asked if he should come
home - I told him there was no need - I feel better with someone in our house over there. I made a cup of tea and had a mini bagel - then sat down to ponder this turn of events. I was tempted to look up the
symptoms but didn't - I thought maybe I would imagine myself into having them.
I knew a GFR of 29 is stage 4 kidney disease - one step from dialysis. I wondered if it was caused by taking Ibuprofen for my recent dental surgery on December 9 - I had been taking a lot of it for swelling and some pain. Could that have done it? I'm not sure. I started Hydrochlorthiazide for my blood pressure in the last year. I also started Fish Oil to avoid or delay dementia. I did increase my Vitamin D3 to 2000 units in the last year of so. Could any of that have cause the kidney issues?
I know that hypertension can cause kidney disease, and I have had it for years - my blood pressure has been a little elevated since my physical last February. That would be more likely to cause kidney disease or worsen it.
Well, I am not going to go crazy worrying about it until I have repeat labs and any necessary testing. So what am I going to do? Well, first I unpacked and hung up all the long sleeve T-shirts and slacks that I had ironed last night so they wouldn't wrinkle in the suitcase. Then I looked up a renal diet - I know low sodium - I already try to limit sodium because of my high blood pressure, but I do go crazy now and then and have Chinese food which is loaded with sodium/MSG. And Saturday night I bought a 2/$6 Whopper and Crispy Chicken sandwich at Burger King - I ate one Saturday and one last night. They were delicious and not anything that I would normally eat. And they were the last ones I will have for a while because they are likely high in sodium and fat.
Next I checked out information on low potassium foods, low phosphorus foods, low protein! Dear Lord!
So, until I know something definite, it is back to fresh fruits and veg - except NO bananas, NO oranges, NO tomatoes!! And worst of all  - No POTATOES or sweet potatoes!! How am I going to do this? I have no will power! NO will power! But, on the bright side, I can eat white bread again - I haven't eaten it in years! White rice is okay again too. Lots of fruits and veg - my digestive system is already pretty good - I hate to think how good it will be now! I'll really be farting all the time!!
I got sick of reading about this diet so I went upstairs to look for my broom to sweep the kitchen floor. JB and Tina moved to Florida the day after Christmas and had been busy cleaning the room up there before they left. I picked up a few things in the front room - swept the floor - washed it - swept down the stairs - swept and washed the front hallway - moved the summer folding chairs back into the closet and moved the table back out there. Who says there is something wrong with me?! How could I do all this and be anemic? Or have kidney disease? But what exactly am I trying to prove?
In the meantime, I had talked to Johnny Manning who was going to drive me at 2:30 pm to the Braintree Express where I could get the shuttle to the airport. He was very supportive - told me to call if I need anything - his wife Vickie invited me over for lunch or dinner tomorrow for New Year's Eve - my tradition of getting Chinese food at Dynasty Buffet at 4 pm then bringing it home and eating it later is definitely out the window now.
I talked with Danno who was at MGH for appointments. He told me to take care of myself and get enough rest. Beth offered to come down, but I said to wait till the weekend. Julie was in disbelief in Spain - she would ask our friend who worked at BIDMC for years about a renal specialist if needed.
Danno had once said that I am the type who tells everyone everything, but I decided to hold off today. Then Christine texted to ask if I was on land or in the air. So I texted her  - she called and was as surprised as everyone else. Mary Breen called me when Christine told her - what a change that was! Telling Mary about myself instead of us discussing someone in the family or a patient!!
So now I am putting how I spent my first day of retirement into a blog!! I think I would rather be working! Danno told me to write down my retirement memoirs - but what a way to start!!