Update from Max\u2019s doctor today \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His doctor called today with the results from his most recent bloodwork, so I wanted to share an update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His BUN is stable at 38.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BUN is a waste product created by the liver when the body breaks down protein. Healthy kidneys filter it out of the blood and into the urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcc8 Is 38 high?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes. Normal is usually around 7\u201320, so 38 is considered a mild\/moderate elevation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83e\udd1d Why is \u201cstable\u201d good news?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though it\u2019s higher than normal, \u201cstable\u201d means it isn\u2019t suddenly climbing or showing signs of an acute change. It suggests this is a chronic level his body has been maintaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His creatinine is currently 3.8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This has been slowly trending up over the last few months from his previous baseline of 3.55.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creatinine is another waste product (made by muscles during everyday activity). Healthy kidneys filter it out through urine, but when kidney function is reduced, it builds up in the blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udccc What does 3.8 mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Normal is usually around 0.7\u20131.3, so 3.8 is high and shows his kidneys are working at a reduced capacity. The gradual rise is something his team watches closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His GFR is currently 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the trend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
August: 28<\/p>\n\n\n\n
December: 24<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now: 23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) is basically a measure of how well the kidneys are filtering \u2014 think of it like a \u201cspeedometer\u201d for kidney function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcc9 What does 23 mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Normal is usually 90+, and a GFR of 23 places him in Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (Stage 4 is 15\u201329).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The small drop from 24 to 23 could be normal fluctuation, but the overall trend shows a gradual decline over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re taking everything one day at a time, staying focused on the plan, and so thankful for all the love and support you\u2019ve shown our family \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a nutshell: we are still aiming for a transplant in June \u2014 and we are still hopeful we can find a living donor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Update from Max\u2019s doctor today \u2764\ufe0f His doctor called today with the results from his most recent bloodwork, so I wanted to share an update. His BUN is stable at 38. BUN is a waste product created by the liver when the body breaks down protein. Healthy kidneys filter it out of the blood and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2396,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n