UPDATED MEDICAL REPORT

On 14 November, I reported on my stay overnight in hospital after having a renal biopsy. The relationships that were expected did not turn out to be the case. The biopsy proved that I did not have myeloma (bone cancer), active MGUS (blood dysfunction) or amyloids (kidney disease), but that I have chronic glomerulonephritis.

On Friday night I noticed that my third finger, next to my little finger, on my left hand was swelling. I like to believe that I do not pound the keys. Then gradually all of my left hand became swollen and reddened to my wrist.

I did have a swollen thumb before, and I did not want to take antibiotics, since it was not obvious that I had been bitten, so I waited to today, when I had to see my doctor about my renal biopsy results before reporting my condition. She thought I might have a thrombosis, a blood clot in the the veins of my upper arm. Since she could not place me with any radiologists, I was referred to the Casualty Department at the hospital, where I spent from about 4pm until 9pm.

Spending this time does not concern me. I more or less expect that to be the case in casualty ward. I have to say that I was treated very thoroughly by one of the duty doctors, so I am very grateful for that care. Since there were no radiologists on duty, I am now expected to go back tomorrow to have the test to check the blood clot.

Given my circumstances, including the medications I am prescribed, it seems they take precautionary action if my potassium levels are in excess of 5.1 mmol/L. I was hoping to control these levels by paying careful attention to diet, but this has not worked out so far. Most of the stable foods, for example potatoes, have medium to high levels of potassium.

The wisdom of undergoing the renal biopsy has been confirmed. I am somewhat disappointed that at this point there appears to be no explanation as to why my spleen became enlarged, and had to be removed (again for precautionary reasons) by lapryscopic (keyhole) surgery.

Postscript: 29 November 2006

I was supposed to get the scan done on my left arm to check out whether there was a clot. However, I got a cramp in my left calve, so I had to wait for that to settle. So I did not go. The doctor in emergency did not think it likely, after giving my a thorough going over and identifying some issues, such as providing Rosonium to reduce my slightly raised potassium levels. Now my hand has resumed its normal shape, the swelling and redness has gone.

I have spoken by phone to my specialist today, and he is waiting on seeing the results from the examination of my kidney sample under electron microscope before committing to a diagnosis. These results take longer to determine (for whatever reasons). He, at least, has returned safely from his conference in San Diego.