Back under the knife I go again.

Di and I visited with Dr. Forman today regarding my low sodium (125) and high potassium (53). Of course we believe it is the diuretics that I am on to control the fluid control. (Which Dr. Forman correctly pointed out the TIPS surgery should have address the fluid retention and I could do without any diuretics.) During my hospital stay before last they had decided to go back in and make sure it was working properly.

Dr. Forman said that if you have a 10 hinderance (blockage) the varices start to come back. Mine was 13! So Dr. Forman suggested going back in and repairing the TIPS. Which of course we are going to do next week. Dr. Forman took me off one of my diuretics in hopes it will bring my potassium down. (I go back in Monday for labs.) If of course the labs show an increase or even the current 5.3 we have to do the TIPS more quickly so we can fully stop the diuretics.

I normally have always enjoyed being a little different, somewhat unique. However medically it is not always a good thing. Dr. Forman who has treated thousands of cases, told use that my case is one of the most challenging she has ever had. Like I said, not always a good thing. When I got home I was tired (normal) and overwhelmed with concern and such. Until I saw our pet cat, "Clawdia" who had decided to stuff her head in a cushion and ignore the world for a few moments. I laughed watching her, however I somewhat understood the need for some "Ostrich" time.