Home monitoring helps prevent problems and complications. Your daily journal entry should include the following (you will start this in the hospital after surgery):
- Weight in the morning after urinating and before eating breakfast.
- Blood pressure and pulse. Make sure you can feel your pulse on your wrist or neck to become familiar with its regular rhythm and pace.
- Temperature (or whenever you feel feverish). Do not have anything to eat or drink 10 minutes before taking your temperature or you may cause a false reading.
Your journal should be brought to each clinic visit. Additional information you will want to keep in your notebook:
- Immunosuppressant medication levels
- Creatinine levels
- White blood cell (WBC) levels
- Medications you are currently taking
Also, it may be helpful to write down questions, concerns, or comments you want to share during your visits. It is a good idea to bring your blood pressure cuff to clinic occasionally (every 3-6 months) to check against the clinic blood pressure cuff (to make sure it is accurate).
Home Page