First Post!

Hello all and welcome to the Daveman Update page!

You have probably been sent this link because you somehow know of Dave and his story. As for me, most of you know who I am, but for those who don't, my name is Jennifer and I am Dave's step-daughter.

For an extremely brief history, Dave was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes as a child. Diabetes can be hard on the body, and therefore sometimes transplants are needed as in Dave's situation. He is currently awaiting a kidney and pancreas transplant.

Last December, Dave started daily peritoneal dialysis treatment at home. Things were going well for a while, Dave was responding very well to the treatment. Recently, in early October, Dave got an infection called Peritonitis. They originally thought it was caused by contamination of the equipment (via either dirt or water). He was given some heavy antibiotics and was feeling better. A few weeks later, it happened again, and at the advise of the dialysis nurse, they went to the hospital this time. Once again, Dave was treated with heavy antibiotics and had a few days to stay in the hospital.

Most recently, on Sunday (November 16th) after only a few days off of the antibiotics, he got the infection *again* and was hospitalized. Hopefully this will be his last hospitalization until transplant surgery is required. This visit, they decided to run further tests (CAT scan, ultrasound, etc) to see if they could figure out why this infection keeps occurring. The tests showed nothing that would tell us why, but the doctors decided to remove the peritoneal catheter and end the peritoneal dialysis for now. They did that on Wednesday, and placed a gortex graft so that Dave can begin Hemodialysis treatment. This is where he will be going to the DaVita clinic every few days, and they hope to look into possible home treatment with this as well. Dave should be able to be released from the hospital on Monday.

There are so many details that have been left out, but hopefully now that this blog has been set up, things will be easier! We will update any time we have more information on his wait for a transplant or other information on how he is doing.

My mom, husband, daughter and I will be walking this weekend in the Houston Step Out for Diabetes walk held by the American Diabetes Association, in honor of Dave. If you haven't already, and would like to donate, please visit our team site to do so. It is so easy!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them. If you do not have a membership at blogger, please say who you are in your comment so we know who has stopped by!