Peru Almost Cancelled Due to Kidney Disease and Diabetes
Along with leaving work behind comes leaving behind the good health benefits. Since leaving Strands I have purchased some basic short-term health insurance to cover any unexpected emergencies, but since my deductible will be higher with the new insurance I decided to have a routine physical exam before leaving the country.
I felt nothing wrong and believed that I was completely healthy, but figured that while I've got the coverage I might a well have some tests done to get a run-down on my health. So, 3 days before Christmas I went in to see this guy who looks like he is from outer space and we got it on. After some cheek-spreading awkwardness and pubic poking, which, was not made any more comfortable by his seemingly lack of social skills, I gave some blood samples and went home thinking that everything was 100%...
Maybe I was wrong.
3 days later I got a phone call from a nurse informing me otherwise, and was also warned of a letter which would be arriving the next day to recommend I make an immediate appointment with a nephrologist. A kidney specialist. Needless to say, I was shocked. I drove from Corvallis to Portland that afternoon nearly emotionless, and was fortunate to squeeze an appointment in the next day to see this dude from Kentucky.
The doctor told me that based on the results from the initial test, my glucose level was 155 (major diabetes!) and that my kidneys were functioning at only 25%. @#$%!!! Despite not showing any of the physical symptoms that would normally accompany these results, I was told by the nephrologist that, if these test results were accurate, complete kidney failure, dialysis, and the need for a transplant were right around the corner. I wouldn't be going to South America.
I brought my parents to the appointment with me (It's easier for them to hear news like this directly from the doctor, rather than me repeating everything when I get home. If you know my mom, you know what I mean.). When we left the nephrologist's office that morning we were all silent. If the initial results were accurate I would have some major decisions to make: kidney dialysis, transplant, live with it until I expire, etc.
So, before leaving the kidney specialist's office I ordered a repeat test to examine my blood, and this time accompanied it with a urine exam to check the level of proteins in my stream. "No way these results can be accurate," I thought. "Something's got to be fucked up. I feel completely healthy and there is no history of Kidney Disease OR Diabetes on either side of the family."
While at REI for the last time before departing Portland, I got a phone call... just 14 hours before my scheduled departure from PDX.
"John, this is Dr. Bates. You're totally healthy. The follow-up test results came back normal. 100%, across the board."
Never before have I experienced tears of joy like that. I called my family. I called my girlfriend. I called friends. I told the guy standing next to me who was shopping for a sleeping bag. Anyone who would listen, I told them the story. I couldn't have been more excited. I couldn't stop smiling.
Now, I just have to wonder: how were the first results so inaccurate? Either a) there was some sort of error made while processing the samples; or, b) my results were mixed with some poor schmuck with crappy kidneys. If it is b), then I hope it gets straightened out... because right now he is out running the streets thinking he has stellar kidneys.
Real happy to hear that everything is going to be ok man. Nothing like a scare to make the sun shine brighter. Safe journeys my friend.
~ Text from my good friend Ramon. He was with me when I got the bad-news call.
No joke, Ramon. Live life while you've got it, and get it while the gettin' is good.
