A couple of weeks ago, I had by bed moved such that it would not face out into the large clinic space, with all of the other beds, and, most importantly, all of the lights. I had my bed rotated 90 degrees such that it lays parallel to the baclwell, and there’s no one parallel to me. The new arrangement, in conjunction with a new medication plan seem to have imporved my ability to get some sleep without high anxiety.

I take one pill when I first arrive to knock my anxiety level back a bit. Then I take a stinky homepathic remedy that a friend recommended, a substance that is supposed to aid in sleep. Then, about 30-50 minutes before I adspire to fall aleep, I take the important med.

The processs, which has not been help up for physician review, seem to achieve my goal of getting to sleep by 11:30, and then allowing me to get 5 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

The problem is that 5 1/2 hours of slepe comes up short of the 7 or 8 that are recommended normally for sleepers, and particularly for sleepers who take that important med/ The process of getting my stuff together and going outside to the cold, and having to drive then ten minues back home, that process wakes me up. But then I’m sure my body could use another 90-120 minutes of sleep.

Unfortunately, while I tried to get back to sleep between 6 and 6:30, my body gradually falls back into fatigue, which I’m fully immersed in by 7:30 or 8. By that time, it is time to get to work if I want to make it on time. I can play with the snooze a couple of time. but the decision remains the same. Do I force myself out of what seems like a stupor, and get into work at a reasonable time but go about my activities in a daze? Or do I send the email in that says I’m not feeling weel, and that I’ll tryto be in by noon? That takes pressure off, and I can get what I feel is much-needed rest. But I do lose in the work hours calculation, since an eight-hour day is unlikely to follow.

So I think I’ve been able to manage to remain calm during the noise of the first couple hours of dialysis, and then I can fall aslee and get between 5 and 1.2 hours, which is good, but apparently not good enough. My body really feels the next for extra 3-4 hours after I get home. I have, on past occasions, tried to consume some caffeine on the way home, but that hasn’t prevented me from crashing.

I’m not sure of what strategy to take going forward. I could try to take all my sleep aids as soon as I arrive, but then the pressure is on to do nothing but sleep for the eight hours. Between my iPhone and the television, there is plenty to keep me occupied for the first two hours. But maybe I should consider trying to get myself to sleep right away, before the chatter has stopped and the lights have shut off.

I do apparently have one of the best albumin measures that my doctor has ever scene in the his dialysis clinic experience. Mine was last read as 5.2.

According to lifeoptions.com ,

The level of albumin (protein) in the blood is a measure of good nutrition. Research shows that people with kidney disease who become malnourished and do not get enough protein may suffer from many complications. It is especially important for people on low protein diets to have their serum protein levels measured.

Normal serum albumin levels in healthy people are 3.6-5.0 g/dL. The goal for people on dialysis is an albumin level greater than 4.0 g/dL.

So I’m better than healthy. I have outstanding albumin levels! There’s something for the old Match.com profile.

[I see lots of typos…I shall correct them in the morning]