Afternoon Update:
Well, CRAP!
Got my test results back and they’re not what I hoped for.
The three-month-long kidney pill regimen hasn’t lowered the numbers that are concerning. They’ve gone significantly higher than they were three months ago.
So, I’m going to be meeting with Dr. Pacheco tomorrow to see what she suggests. She will probably suggest a kidney specialist in the same complex, so I may be able to see them the same day.
UPDATE: Cancel Yellow Alert!
Saw Dr. Pacheco on Thursday at 10 and she told me that these results are just what she expected them to be. She said the rise in numbers proves the medication is working as hoped, so she gave me another three-month-long prescription for it.
I also don’t need to tax my kidney by putting antibiotics to work against the UTI. More water and cranberry juice (or the cranberry soft tabs I have on hand that my US doc suggested I keep a supply of) should be enough to keep it at bay, since I have no uncomfortable physical symptoms of a UTI (painful urination, etc.).
My INR is a wee bit high, which means I can lower my warfarin to just 2.5 MG all seven days a week instead of taking a 5.0 once a week and 2.5 the rest of the days. The less warfarin, the better!
So, it’s essentially all GOOD news.
Dr. Pacheco has referred me to an in-house kidney specialist, though, since I need to have semi-annual checks to be sure everything is staying good. I see him on August 12th at 4 p.m., which is his first appointment of the day in Grecia. (He works in Alajuela, too.) Cindy Winder has consented to drive me there and back so I won’t have to catch a bus home as dusk is falling and mosquitoes start coming out. Bless her kind, kind heart!
The kidney doctor, Dr. Mario Zuniga, speaks Russian, Spanish, and some English. I speak enough Spanish to get by. And he will have my test results before him, so we should get along great. If not, Jon Graham Mitchell will be downstairs with another of his clients, and I can ask him to come up and translate if need be. But I don’t think it will be necessary.
Just What I’d Have Needed is a Major Kidney Malfunction
… I would hate to have to fly to the States for treatment (if I need it) and MediSmart doesn’t cover specialists’ fees.
(Update: the kidney doctor’s fee is only $130 in USD. Monthly meds are $68/month with MediSmart. Do-able.)
I don’t have any itching, leg swelling, or any other symptoms of acute kidney problems. I feel fine.
I’m going to immigration next Wednesday
….to see if I can get my pensionado application expedited. It’s time. I’ve been thinking about it for two months. It’s time to do it!
To do so, I had to write a letter stating I’m 75 and would like to expedite my application because of my age. Short and sweet. I have to sign it in front of someone at immigration to send it on its way.
Costa Rica culture respects and caters to old folks
Maybe I should hobble in. (OK. That’s not kosher, so I won’t act the part any more than I naturally do!)
Asking for an expedite sometimes helps. It can’t hurt to try, for sure!
My crockpot soup is smelling heavenly. Can’t wait to dig in in a little while.