The Red Brick Times

Russ W. hasn't been feeling too well of late and now finds himself in the hospital with kidneys that just aren't working. The doctors aren't yet sure what's what but have run tests, done a biopsy and are trying to figure it out. Russ is doing dialysis, seems like once a day so far. Anyone in the area who might want to pop in, he's in the CCU, Bed 2. He's got a phone at hand, the number is 440-329-7500 for the switchboard and they'll take it from there. It has to be routed through the CCU, I guess. All good cheer, best wishes, etc. welcome.
Posted 12:13 PM by ralph (5) comments

       Comments:

I'll stop in later today. My dad was admitted yesterday with a blood clot in one leg. I am having a tooth dug out this afternoon. This is the winter of our discontent.

# posted by  Andy : December 06, 2007 12:38 PM
 
I visited Russ. The medicos will be trying a chemo treatment series, a speculative outside long shot at best. Best guess they have right now is that he has experienced a form of autoimmune attack that destroyed kidney function. A renal specialist who happened to be in the hospital when Russ was admitted said that he had only read about this, but had never seen it before. Once the condition is deemed chronic, Medicare/Medicade should pick up the tab for three dialysis treatments per week.

# posted by  Andy : December 08, 2007 11:36 AM
 
Diagnosis confirmed. An autoimmune attack shocked kidneys and destroyed cell function (supposedly within three days of onset). Unlike other kidney problems which show immediate symptoms that permit rapid treatment (like kidney stones, or drinking radiator fluid), autoimmune attack symptoms are subtle and masked, not reaching crisis proportions until after the damage is done. But in Russ' case, biopsy analysis showed less cell scarring than anticipated (about 50%). Statistically, that moves the odds of improvement after treatment (6 to 8 weeks later) from "nearly zero" to "a bit of a chance." Cases with less than 40% loss of kidney function have precedents where the patient recovered some function after treatment. Russ is at about 2% function, but only about 50% of sampled cells show permanent scarring.

In the meantime, there is dialysis and daily total replacement of blood plasma (5 quarts) for the next few days.

I do not have the chemotherapy details, but there will be immunosuppression affects. Russ is in a single-patient room to try and reduce exposure to others' bacteria and viruses. So no kissing and hugging for a while.

Katko took a laptop computer to Russ, and there is a open Wifi connection from the 8th floor, but most access to public sites, and to proxy sites, is blocked. He cannot get to the RBT to post, but he can access email. He was able to set up an address that will let him communicate. Send to hosp@7393.org

# posted by  Andy : December 10, 2007 3:52 PM
 
Received an email from Russ this morning in which he shared that the diagnostic name is Goodpasture's Syndrome. Pretty rare with a wide range of prognosis depending on the amount of involvement. Respiratory involvement is common and often the preceding symptom. Remember his pneumonia several months ago? Google if you are curious. The typical treatment is steroids and dialysis and possibly transplant. Kidney transplants are pretty common these days but it is still no bed of roses. Immunosuppressants and steroids do funny things to you. Bloating, susceptibility to infection as well as glucose intolerance leading to diabetes type symptoms. The plasma replacement is not typical but part of the treatment that a woman in Japan received with good results.
He may not be able to have flowers or produce in his room so nix on FTD or the oranges from Florida.
EMH has ecards that you can order up. Check the web site. They are pretty insipid but you can add a personal note to balance that.

# posted by  Terri S : December 11, 2007 5:07 PM
 
Talked with Russ this AM (it's only been 30 years). He sounded well despite his situation. What a trooper. I would like to visit him but feel that a card would be better at this time.

Linda

# posted by  Linda (Schott) Isner : December 12, 2007 4:47 PM
 
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