1. I found out eight years ago that I have Stage IV chronic kidney disease. I don't know how long I had had it before I found out. When I was recovering from bacterial meningitis in 1999, one concern was that I might have suffered kidney damage. I remember being told that I hadn't, but I wonder if someone made a mistake and, in fact, I did suffer kidney damage then. Ever since I was diagnosed, eight years ago, the doctors' primary concern is that the blood tests they use to measure the kidneys' function don't change much -- and especially that my function doesn't decline more. I've had one dip in function, back in 2009, when pneumonia and c-diff dehydrated me, but I regained some of the lost function and my numbers are remaining steady. This is the news I received at the nephrologist today. No change. No decline. The numbers, within the fact of my disease, remain solid. The disease is not progressing. This was very good news. I have been feeling great and, luckily, feeling good has not been masking other problems. My blood pressure is also good. That's really important.
2. Before I went to the doctor, I took a geographical tour of the Delta Ponds. I realized after talking with Anne on Christmas afternoon that I had east and west mixed up and today I was happy to get it all straightened out in my mind -- and with my legs.
3. Good doctor's report. Good geographical clarification. What's a guy do? Fix hot wings, that's what. It turns out that I ate Christmas dinner with the Troxstar family, so I had the dinner I had planned for Christmas today. I'll admit: hot wings are more fun to eat with other people than alone, but they were still very enjoyable, as were the celery sticks dipped in Litehouse Chunky Blue Cheese dressing.
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