Day + 62, The Log

What day is this? I guess today is Day 62. After a while you lose count.

The edema is starting to retreat further, as my diaretic freedom fighters have pushed back the enemyfrom Fort Knee back into the recesses of the lower legs and feet. I am happy to win back this small, but strategic territory, as it has allowed me to dress myself and climb stairs with impunity.

Because of my proteinurea issue, I have to track the amount of fluid I "void" on a daily basis. This is to allow the doctor's track how well my body is getting rid of it. For the last three months I have been keeping track of all types of information in a small spiral notebook, such as medicines taken, weight and blood pressure readings, gas prices and other things which have fluctuated during these last few months.

It's a pain to track all of this information, as I need to carry a urinal everywhere I go (it's a hit with the ladies). I really do need to hire an assistant scribe. However, it's been very useful to have in writing a history of your progress.

As I've mentioned, amyloid is tricky to discover as it does not show overt physical symptoms until it usually is too late. And most of the symptoms it does show can be easily confused for other, less threatening ailments. Peripheral edema due to amyloid kidney deposits was a big red flag in discovering my amyloidosis, and I shudder where I would be today if it had chosen to attack another organ that gave less prominent symptoms. When I reflect on this I am thankful, and do not mind so much having to pee in a jug several times a day.