Dr. DeLong

Dr. Michael DeLong is my nephrologist (kidney specialist). As some of you know, I suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease.  When he walked into the exam room I laughed out loud.  He was wearing the Santa hat and that green cardigan sweater.  Then he gave me that goofy smile.

He told me that at this time of year, he tries to make his patients smile because he's so frequently the bearer of bad news.  It's a tough specialty.  He's an amazing guy, though.   Kind and supportive but doesn't hold back on anything which needs to be said.  I've been seeing him since I was first diagnosed in 2010. I love the guy!

My lab work wasn't what I prayed it might be. There are 5 stages of CKD. They are based on a number called the GFR.  That number is basically the functioning percentage of your kidneys. The typical person whose age is in the 60's is 85 (out of the 100 you are born with).

The stages are:
Stage 1 with normal or high GFR (GFR > 90)
Stage 2 Mild CKD (GFR = 60-89)
Stage 3A Moderate CKD (GFR = 45-59)
Stage 3B Moderate-Severe CKD (GFR = 30-44)
Stage 4 Severe CKD (GFR = 15-29)
Stage 5 End Stage CKD (GFR <15) Dialysis or transplant required

My GFR today was 30 (my kidneys are functioning at 30%).  I have been hanging around that this calendar year. It is what it is.  Life goes on...