Mitch and I started 2011 with a special splash. At the New Years Eve shindig at Ponderosa RV Park we shared the sangria we brought back from Barcelona , Spain. This is the 5^th winter we have spent in Kissimmee, Florida with mostly the same nice people doing some fun activities.

January was pretty average during the early part. We attended a pot luck get together and a spaghetti supper plus some line dancing, darts and bingo. January 24^th through our return on the 27^th was new and different for us. Mitch and I have been on several cruises but never as part of a group. This time 35 people from Ponderosa went on the Royal Caribbean Monarch.

Our itinerary included Nassau, Bahamas and Coco Cay. The weather was a mix of rain and sun. We all went through the straw market looking for bargains and a few people found the perfect souvenirs. With such a large group we split up and went in different directions. Mitch and I joined 3 couples, all Canadians, on a van tour of Nassau including the fort, residential areas and the casinos. We would do it again. It was particularly enjoyable watching first time cruisers realize that the ship offered activities and food until the wee hours of the morning.

In November of 2010 Mitch had a recheck with Dr. Karr, the orthopedic surgeon that did his hip replacement in 2009. Mitch was moving well and had just a moderate amount of pain. However, he had received a registered letter telling him that there had been problems with the metal on metal hip. X-rays and an MRI showed that the hip was in place and that the tissues around the hip had not formed any tumors. As a precaution, Mitch was sent for blood work to check for the amount of ions of cobalt and chromium. We weren’t overly concerned because Mitch felt well except for being more tired than usual and had a little less appetite. We were also notified that the metal on metal hip had been removed from the market and that there were various problems in the United States and overseas.

Mitch went to see his general physician and had a thorough physical including more blood work and urinalysis. The tests showed the first signs of potential renal problems. Then the test for chromium and cobalt came back with increased numbers. The chromium and cobalt numbers were higher but no one had the answer as to what the parameters were for acceptable levels. Mitch was sent to a nephrology clinic for a renal evaluation.

In early February we went on another short cruise to Cozumel just to get away and relax. Mitch was exhausted and despite several naps each day and sleeping at night his energy level was awful. I normally walk while Mitch naps but I stayed in the cabin and read. I was becoming very alarmed by his fatigue and overall well being.

We had planned to head toward the west coast at the beginning of April …this is our usual date for leaving the RV park. We went to the Ft Lauderdale area to visit Mitch’s cousins and their spouses. They are both lovely couples and are fun to visit.

Mitch went to a cardiologist and had a stress test and echocardiogram just to rule out heart problems. We were very relieved that everything went well and his tests were normal. Then the next set of urinary tests came back with worse numbers.

March 7^th started out like an average day. We were running a few errands and I told Mitch that I had pressure and pain in my chest. I tried using the nitroglycerin tablet I always carry since my stent was inserted. When I did not get relief Mitch drove me to St. Cloud Hospital. I was admitted. The next day while I was undergoing a stress test Mitch kept his appointments with the nephrology clinic and had a sleep study test.

The next day I was taken by ambulance to Osceola Regional Hospital for an angiogram. Mitch met me there and they started preliminary procedures. At that point the lab received a call not to do the test and to return me to St. Cloud for discharge. I returned by ambulance and Mitch drove. At St. Cloud while I was being discharged and signing paperwork Mitch’s cell phone rang. The nephrology clinic was calling to tell him to go to Osceola Regional ASAP and be admitted through emergency.

We immediately left one hospital and drove to the other. Mitch was admitted March 9^th with a diagnoses of stage 4 renal failure. Fortunately, all 3 medical doctors had been in touch with each other. Mitch was on IV fluids to keep hydrated and flush out his kidneys. Blood work was done with great regularity. Mitch was discharged on the 17^th and scheduled appointments with all of the clinics for continued care.

Mitch’s appointment with Dr. Karr was on March 24^th. His cobalt level was 8.3 and chromium level was 45. This was a huge increase and Dr. Karr deemed it absolutely necessary to remove the metal on metal hip replacement. A “normal” reading for both metals is around 1. Mitch’s kidneys were only functioning at 17%. Surgery was scheduled for April 6^th.

We had paid for a lovely sounding 14 day cruise. The itinerary was down to the Netherland Antilles and back. The Celebrity Constellation left Ft. Lauderdale March 25^th without us.

April 6^th were not in Kralendijk, Bonaire and Mitch was in surgery. Dr. Karr spoke with me after the procedure. He was pleased that everything had gone well. He was alarmed at the condition of the metal on metal hip. Instead of being smooth and polished, it was rough and scraped looking. It was loose instead of being firmly in place. He sent synovial fluid and tissues to an independent laboratory for evaluation. He seemed pleased and relieved that he had chosen a ceramic and plastic hip replacement instead of another metal replacement.

During Mitch’s hospitalization they continued to flush his kidneys and use specific IV fluids to help renal function. His function hit a low of 12%…a truly scary number. With the fluids his creatinine level lowered from 4.7 to 3.7 and his calcium level was in a high/normal range. The previous numbers were in the range that would cause Mitch to probably go on dialysis.

Mitch transferred to a rehab center for a week. It was a lovely center but the level of physical therapy was really questionable. Mitch was feeling fairly good and was a great patient. He was responding to the steroid medication for kidney inflammation. His creatinine level was 2.97. We were very relieved.

Back at the RV Mitch graduated from a walker to a cane. His recovery was remarkable. His appetite returned (too much) and more importantly, his energy level increased.

On April 27^th we went to the nephrology clinic. Mitch’s kidney function was 30%. His calcium was 8.2 and creatinine 2.4. We were elated. While the doctor was out of the room we hugged and kissed with joy and relief.

Bit by bit we returned to our old way of living…attending functions at the RV park, having lunch with friends visiting from Tampa and going for longer walks. We even went to Sea World for the day.

On May 16^th we returned to see Dr. Karr for a 6 week recheck. Dr. Karr was very pleased at the way Mitch was walking and how good his recovery was. He was really pleased that Mitch’s chromium level was down to 2.9 and cobalt level down to 23. This was a huge change. He said that the numbers confirmed the need to remove the metal on metal hip and replace it with the ceramic and plastic hip. He was aware of the improvement of Mitch’s renal function and said that it confirmed his belief that the metal on metal hip was wrong for Mitch, as well as several other of his patients.

The weeks following we had just a few more medical appointments. The drama and fears about Mitch’s health diminished and we both slept better and felt better. The steroids were helping and the dose was reduced. We were giddy with elation when the nephrologist announced that Mitch’s kidneys were functioning at 50%. We now had approval from all the doctors to hit the road as long as Mitch had periodic tests.

In early June my mother made a very big life change. Niece Rachel went to Las Vegas and supervised the moving company that packed my mother’s possessions. She also accompanied my mother during the 2 legs of the flight from Las Vegas to Jacksonville, FL. My sister, Rhoda, lives in Jacksonville. She arranged for a senior living facility. My other sister, Susan, did tons of leg work by phone and internet while taking care of her husband through an illness. I also did my parts to accommodate and facilitate the move. It takes a village to move a 93 year old lady!

The next segment is guaranteed to be lighter in tone. It won’t have the drama and anxiety of this one. To put it simply…WOW.