Acute Renal Failure

   Bruce made tuna ring with a cheese sauce for dinner this week. It was good, but didn't last long.

   Thursday, we noticed Bruce's left ankle was swollen and a rash, so we went to the Dr. We figured he must have twisted it in pool time. Bruce has no pain sensation so Dr had an X-ray and ultra sound, thinking something with tendons. Results came back negative. We told him we thought Bruce might have a bladder infection. DR. wanted a sample. We told him Bruce hadn't been able to pee since nine that morning, and he had fever and chills. Dr. says to get to ER right away. So at five we head to ER. It takes until 11pm to get in a room.       Our home teacher, Kevin and friend, Bryan gave Bruce a blessing. I liked the part about peace and comfort at this time. Bruce is tired and just wants to sleep.

 Friday more sleeping, not too much eating. Pres. Chadwick stopped in to visit. At lunch I stop at the new quilt store and get fabric for backing and sign up for drawing then off to pick up a book at the library.

  They tell us his kidneys have shut down, acute renal failure. And his white blood count is high, they are pumping him with antibodies and saline solution.

   In the evening I went to a friend's art show at EOU with Duncan. Amazing what you can do with fabric, paint, thread and shadows. Afterward Sheila came up and we stretched and ranged Bruce's legs. Nurses don't have time, they have a lot of patients.

  Saturday Bruce is feeling better, fever broken, able to take a shower and do bowel care. I brought our shower chair up. I went grocery shopping as our hospital does not have wheelchair access in the bathroom in the room we have and the bowel care tends to stink the room up. He gave himself a shower and all that movement wore him out. 

Bruce took a nap Saturday morning so i did some reading.

   Saturday afternoon Bruce is watching basketball games. I am doing a bit of hand sewing. I found a nice salad in the hospital cafeteria and chocolate milk. And the stairs, going down two flights is easy. 

  On the way home to check on the boys I stop at the Orange Rhino and they have one ham and cheese sweet roll left. I bought it and three chocolate chip scones and since the quilt store is across the street, I stopped in again to get more fabric for backing. 

   Bruce hates to sit and do nothing, and is depressed. We are both thinking what next? 

  Saturday evening is a SR piano recital by our friend Emily. The music is fun. One song makes me want to dance and I wonder if Bruce and I will ever dance again. I quickly change my train of thought, I don't want to have w melt down in public.

  Sheila returns at night and we stretch and range Bruce's stiff legs. She says this is just a bump in the road.

  Sunday after checking my voice mail, I find out I have won the $100 gift certificate at the quilt store! Now that is a tender mercy and I suppose I can purchase some more fabric. 

  Sunday morning Dr. Ellen tells us the white blood count is normal and the renal failure has stopped and as soon as Bruce can urinate in the urinal we can go home. The nurse removes the foley and we wait for Bruce's bladder to fill up. They figure in a couple of hours so by noon. Bruce eats lunch I figure I can wait an hour and then eat at home but the sweet nurse offers me a roast beef sandwich and cranberry juice so I eat with Bruce. We watch Bruce and ask him if he feels the urge to relieve his waters. Not enough. Try again and still not enough. They do a reading on his bladder and 500 mg is still left. The nurse consults the Dr and we get to go home with a leg bag. At least we get to go home.