The Waiting Game

Quick Recap.

Hello again! It's Matt Sotelo, sharing about my kidney journey. If you're caught up, you know I'm currently on dialysis as a result of Chronic Kidney Disease. I spent 21 days of December 2024 in the hospital until they could find me a space at an outpatient center. It was a hard experience to go through, and I'm still very much working on improving my physical and mental health from the experience. Luckily, I have folks like you in my corner sending positive vibes and prayers, along with thoughtful check-ins. I'm truly humbled and grateful. 

Some Challenges.

A few weeks ago, I had a minor case of shingles. Something I've always heard from docs, family, and friends is, "You're too young to be sick!" I think most people are just unsure of what to say. Hearing it doesn't help the situation, and it serves as a reminder to me that this shit sucks, but even more so because I appear as an outlier. Well, when I got diagnosed with shingles, same shit, same comments. I was prescribed a medication that did not mesh well with my regular meds. My anxiety shot up (higher than usual), I had negative thoughts, and my sleep schedule was out of whack. After two days, I decided to stop taking it. Luckily, the two small rashes that I had had already started to heal. Like I said, minor case, but it came with some major feels. Again, Cassie came in clutch and helped me with the process of getting and feeling better. Of course, two days after I stopped taking the meds, I ran into weird stomach issues that included some pretty nasty stomach and diaphragm-area cramps. The pain was so bad that I had to call out of work a few days. Eventually, with some remedies, I finally felt better. I think one thing I've learned about this process is that I can expect to have good days and bad days at any given time. The important thing is having a positive mindset, which is easier said than done. I can't thank you all enough for checking in on me - and thank you to those who have let me vent!

Waiting Game. 

Since my last post, a handful of amazing people have begun the process of getting tested to see if we're a match for a living donor transplant. I'm so incredibly thankful and truly humbled! I still wrestle with myself in my head that people would do such a tremendous act for me. I'm working through it, but what I do know is that I'm one blessed human. Now, the process is fairly long, but for good reason. It's imperative that numerous checks are done to find the best match for me to have a chance at a successful transplant. I'm also doing things on my end to go along with the process. This includes more labs and getting back into therapy. If you or someone you know is interested in getting tested to see if we're a match (I'm O-positive!), please call Winnie at Banner Transplant Institute 602-521-5870. Even if we're not a match, you may be a match for someone else who is in desperate need of a transplant - this is the ultimate act of kindness! 

Can I Just Get a Fuckin Normal Week?

A lesson I learned this week is that dialysis helps my kidneys do what they used to do, and that's really it. Outside of being hooked up to a machine, the side effects of failing kidneys will still loom. For the past couple of months, I've dealt with purple and red dots around my ankles. My PCP, nephrologist, and hematologist didn't have answers, and eventually they became painful and tender to the touch. I had an appointment with a dermatologist, and they determined it was a well-known side-effect of kidney disease and that we needed to treat asap. This included a biopsy of the area. Now, I'm not afraid of needles by any means, but let me tell you, that numbing shot hurt like a bitch. Zero stars, do NOT recommend. They got the biopsy and stitched up my little wound. I'm still in pain, but I'm one step closer to treatment and relief. That's just an example of other issues that have popped up. I'm doing my best to not let issues like this get to me, but admittedly, these things take a toll and create chinks in the ol' positive mindset shield. I'd love to have a normal week, but I've learned I need to adjust that to taking it a day at a time. 

Here's a couple photos I hadn't added from the last blog post. Top left is me coming out of my "mini" surgery for the dialysis catheter to be implanted. Next, on a rare day that I wasn't in the dark due to heavy headaches or migraines, I was able to see a beautiful Arizona sunset. Last, I had to capture the spaghetti Cassie brought me and my Dad, so we could continue our Christmas Eve tradition, despite the circumstances. :

Other updates include that work is going well, and I'm so excited for the leaders in our program to graduate and go out in the community to help create meaningful change. The people of Arizona will be lucky to have these folks on their side. I'm finding peace and "normality" hanging with my boys and watching playoff hockey (Go Av's!) and playoff basketball (Go anyone but the Lakers!). Lastly, to the numerous friends, coworkers, loved ones: THANK YOU. Thank you for checking in, thank you for the laughs when I most needed them, and just thank you for thinking of me. Your thoughts and prayers truly mean the world. I'll be in touch with another update soon. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

P.S. - I've finally launched my fundraiser to help prepare to pay for the surgery and meds. Anything helps, and if you could share the link with your network, I'd truly appreciate it. Thank you so much! https://gofund.me/5596154a