Friday Morning Report

Rick is getting better. They don't know why. They don't know why he went into renal failure in the first place – still trying to figure that out. He said one of the docs, Dr. Dave (no last name noted), told him this morning, “Your kidneys have suffered a grave insult. You seem to be pulling yourself around, which is not what we expected.”
For the first time, they did not mention dialysis.
Dr. Oliver (that's her last name), the nephrologist, wants to have a committed relationship with Rick for the near future. She wants to run tests, many many tests, on Rick, to try to get to the bottom of this. The lab results are not back on the tests that were done on Wednesday, and when those are in we might know more, but please forgive us for not getting our hopes up that we'll have a definitive answer.
Dr. Dave says he is “hesitantly optimistic.” Rick's creatinine is down to 11 (normal is 0.5 to 1.7), down from 13.5. Creatinine levels are a measure of kidney function, and 11 is not something to be happy about, unless you are coming down to it from a higher number. Rick's levels have been coming down “reluctantly.” But coming down.
Rick got a shower and a shave this morning, and was feeling great when I spoke to him on the phone, but we were both sleepy.
Rick really appreciates visitors and phone calls – thanks to John, Tom, Susi, Pop-san, Gregg, and anyone I'm forgetting. I do not wish to publish Rick's room and phone numbers here, but if you want to contact me for that information, please do. I'm at home today.
After four days of commuting to the hospital, I am taking the day off to rest. Having difficulty staying awake as I type, so I think the rest is a good idea.
So as of today we are all “hesitantly optimistic,” and tired, and continuing to wait for we are not sure what – answers? A healing? Godot?
Hope you are all well out there.
Blessings.