Well, a good physical would at least ease your mind...it really may be something that you can easily fix!
I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, for what it's worth...and keep me posted if you go to the doc. I'm rusty as a nurse, but I'll do the best I can to give you info or answer any questions.
PS: They put the most dreadful reasons for pitting edema online, so don't heed it much. Kidney failure could simply mean your kidney is failing to filter sodium like it did when you were a younger lass. My kidneys fail to do the job pretty frequently, like after a massive bowl of popcorn. Can't even budge my normally loose wedding ring.
What kind of doctor should I try to see? I don't have a doctor. The one I saw last year was in the HMO (Group Health) that I'm no longer in. So I'd be starting from scratch.