I could be talking about Somewhere Else Entirely, but this time I'm not.

Many of you are concerned, perhaps rightly, about my welfare, so I thought I'd bring you up to date.

And I hope that, unlike Garia and Keren, I don't suffer any more unexpected shocks and surprises along the way...

Last Friday 20th I went to see my specialist and he went over everything that had happened in the month since my previous visit. I'm pleased to report that he thinks that everything has settled down and that I am progressing normally.

I presently have something between 60% and 70% kidney function, which is ample to cover any anticipated future needs. He has told me that, due to the damage caused, it is unlikely to get much better than that. I have also been told that an otherwise healthy adult can survive on 25% since, like most body parts, the kidneys are overengineered to allow for age, injury and sudden unexpected demands. In essence, we have four times what we actually require for normal activities.

Most of the problems I currently face are due to side effects from the drugs I am taking. I am told that these are temporary and should subside as I come off the drugs. I'll spare you a list since it would only double the load on Wikipedia :)

Firstly, my blood pressure is high. I take it first thing each morning (although I've been told I don't need to) and it averages around 145/80 pulse 72. I have now been given some tablets for that which, as well as stopping my veins stand out like ropes, have the benefit of making it easier to take blood samples.

I'm still giving blood samples once a week since some of the drugs suppress white blood cells and they need to keep an eye on the levels in case the drug dosages need adjusting. Finding a vein is... difficult... and sometimes the flow stops before they get all the samples so they have to try elsewhere. Usually there are four vials of about 5cc each.

One of the side effects is diabetes. We won't know for a long while whether this is temporary or a long-term change. Now my glucose levels are usually lowish but my GP noticed one or two spikes so wanted to investigate further. As it happens my partner is a type 2 so I have been using her kit for samples... not always painless. I'm glad I don't have to do this every day. My levels are around 4.0-5.8 at waking and can go up to 11.0 mid-afternoon, but always come down again in the evening. I'm not too concerned by what I see here.

I have also been having swelling of the ankles, which is a known side effect, firstly of the blood pressure and again of the diabetes. I haven't worked out if it becomes worse if I do a lot of walking or worse when I just sit around. It goes down overnight when I'm horizontal. There's no other obvious signs of water retention anywhere but my GP has an eye on it.

Something is affecting my eyes. Now, this has been going on long before this latest thing happened (~15 years) but it appears to be related. It starts as soon as I get up and comes and goes during the day. It causes one eye, usually the left, to go out of focus and make it difficult to read. Sometimes it gets so bad I can't even watch TV. Again, some of this may be drug related so it may subside as the dosages go down but at least everyone is taking it seriously now.

I have developed back-ache - left side, as most things seem to be - and this makes it difficult to sit down anywhere. This only really started when I began the drug regime and it is possible it is a side effect. It's also possible that it is something to do with the damaged kidney but we won't find out until I'm off the drugs.

I'm still getting up in the night but its not causing so much of a disturbance now. I'm also still falling asleep mid-afternoon on most days but I've always done that. It's a nuisance but I've learned to live with it.

Food? Yes please! I'm still 6 pounds/2.5 kilos underweight and I'd like to keep it that way. Fat chance over Christmas...

I can't drink alcohol, regrettably. I don't drink very much at all but the option was there when I wanted it. Now I have to stay clear, probably until next summer. Makes Christmas interesting, you don't realise how much of the food has booze in it until you look at the ingredients.

As for the rest, the fence has blown down again, we have a leak which has brought tiles off the bathroom wall, I still have much to do computer-wise. At least most of what I had is still working although there are certain things I can't do at the moment. That would seem to occupy most of January, I guess.

Ah, well. Things could be a lot worse, really. At least I still have everything, just. Some of us are less lucky than I have been and I feel for what you must be going through. What I have experienced is just a minor bump along life's road, something we all will eventually face. I'm not too concerned, although I want to make sure I don't leave anything unfinished.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go get Garia, Keren and co. out of Holville. Destiny awaits.

Penny