Hi all, today i had my monthly checkup with my neph, and it went OK, but there are still a couple of minerals that need to be addressed, first, my albumin (protein), is very low, the norm is 4.0, and my level is 3.2, so i do need to get cracking on building up the proteins in my body, even though i eat an excessive amount of meat and eggs, I tend to lose an excessive amount of the protein, that i accumulate from the high protein foods that i eat with every exchange, so now i have to result to protein supplments, such as boost high protein drinks, homemade protein shakes, whey protein powder to add to varies dishes and of course, i usually order resource fruit drinks from an outside distributor, but my money is a little funny at this time, so right now i can't afford it, especially with all the co-pays that i am stuck with paying to Kaiser for varies test, procedure and of course surgery, this practically has broken my bank (lol). Maybe next month will look a little more promising where the money is concerned, So like Cuba Gooding said in that movie, "Show me the Money". Now my potassium is also starting to be an issue, so i have got to eat more potassium and also my neph has prescribed a potassium supplement for me, in which i despise taking, because they are large white horse pills, that i have to cut in half, just to be able to swallow them, and then i also have to sort of sand the cut part, because it usually scratches my throat, when i attempt to swallow the half pieces, but there is a 10mg pill, which is small, and i have to take so many to get the adequate dosage per day, and besides these pills have a required taste (yeah! i know, my sentiments exactly, the medication issue saga continues). Now just a few months ago i was on hemo and i didn't have all these issues, go figure! i don't think i was eating any different from my PD days, but my albumin and potassium wasn't an issue with low values, if anything i had to watch my potassium intake, because my potassium would from time to time, get evaluated during my temporary hemo saga. My adjustment back to norm on PD, is very slow, as I was having issues with my energy levels and of course my weight plummeted drastically with this ongoing fluid collection around the lungs issues. The trip thing was i wasn't having any health issues with my weight plummeting, this lung issues and my severe breathing issues from it, prior to transitioning back to hemo. I can't even go up and down the stairs in my home, without getting out of my breathe. I know the summer is coming, and my family and I like going to Yosemite and walking up the trails to see the varies magnificent waterfalls, and i am sure looking forward to that, so i know i have my work cut out for me, if i want to see the beauty of Yosemite Park. Well that is it for now, and remember renal/dialysis pts. compliance is important towards helping you to maintain good health with Chronic Kidney Disease. Until next time, take care and all the best to my many followers.
God is love, Love is God,
Much Love,
Glo
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Hi all, i hope all is well with you guys. I finally got a moment to update my blog, where to start, oh yeah! i finally had that darn chest catherer removed, and good riddens. Although i was so happy to rid myself of this very trying chest accessory, which was nothing but a burden to have, but of course, i am grateful that i was able to do hemo temporary that way, because of my past health issues with graft accesses, but oh well, it is all good, but nonetheless i am so jumping for joy to be back on peritoneal dialysis (PD), but i was still sporting that darn chest catherer, so i was still subjected to continuing these damn bird baths (pardon my french). Finally after another two months of enduring this chest catherer, my neph finally decides to set up an appt. to have the catherer removed. Now for a few weeks, i resumed taking my wonderful relaxing showers. Now, i am struggling with the return of my medication regiment on PD, as when i was on hemo, my iron, potassium supplements, sodium bicarbonate, and i also find myself taking less phosphorus binders, only three with meals and 2 with snacks, vs. five with meals and 3 with snacks while on PD, go figure!, that is why this renal diet can be quite complex and challenging at times, also my rocatrol (vitamin D) was stopped, and also my EPO (epogen)was being administered through my hemodialysis tubing. All these meds were being administered through my tubing, which is one of the advantages of hemo vs. PD, but don't get be wrong, they both have their advantages and disadvantages, something i know all too well, and that i share in my second book - My Twenty Journey with PKD in the Dialysis World. As usual, i have completely strayed from the subject at hand (lol). Now as i was saying, i am having my struggles with resuming those meds that were temporarily stopped during my temp. hemo run last year. Since returning to PD, i find myself, when i am setting up my medication for the week, and i look at each day, and see so much more pills to take, compared to the few i was taking while on hemo, but i will soon stop all this contemplating and take my medication as directed, because it is important to me getting back to my normal weight and energy level. Now on to a more important and pressing topic - it is March - National Kidney Month and i want to share this statement with you, (something i have vigorously been urging people to do and continue the awareness of CKD, and also encouraging organ donation, read on:
Hi all, it’s March - National Kidney Month - and the perfect opportunity to take notice of this very important awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease (better known to many in the renal/dialysis world as CKD). Chronic Kidney Disease is very seriously on the rise in this country, and all around the world for that matter, especially with individuals out there, with a history or family history of diabetes and/or high blood pressure (two of the main causes of CKD), this group of people we urge to very seriously think about getting tested for possible early stage CKD, so that preventive measures can be taken to help in prolonging or even in some cases reverse the progression of CKD. The kidneys can go unnoticed with possible signs of early stage CKD, and the main reason they can go unnoticed, is the lack of education about kidneys, which should truly be addressed (even with a physical, it could be beneficial to many out there). Though I am aware that many do end up developing ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease - Stage 5), it is not the end of the world, you can live a long and productive life on dialysis, no matter how long it takes to receive the blessing of a living or cadaver kidney transplant, but of course the majority of us, do want the blessing of a kidney transplant (which is by far the best treatment for CKD), and also continuing to encourage organ donation is so very important also, but like I mentioned previously in this post, you can live a long and productive life on dialysis. Knowledge is key, learning all you can about managing good health on dialysis and most importantly staying as compliant as possible with this renal diet (which can be challenging at times) and your particular medication regiment is key. I decided to publish a book a few years ago, to share my entire 20 year journey in the dialysis world, starting from my pre-dialysis days with a few humorous moments, how much the renal world has advanced since my father’s start in the early 70’s and to my pre dialysis days in 1990, and on to my initial start on hem dialysis, my first transplant experience back in 1993 (how much the transplant world has advanced, especially with anti-rejection meds), and the short hospital stay after the surgery. I also share important facts about the minerals in your body, and how important it is in keeping them in normal range. I share as a bonus, an array of renal friendly recipes in the cookbook section of my books, with very important nutritional facts included with easy cooking tips, and also some home remedies passed on from my Grandma Madea (who suffered with the polycystic kidney disease back in the mid 1940’s), to my dad (who developed ESRD back in the early 1970s) and to me with beginning of my saga in the renal world back in 1990. I also share my extensive dialysis experience with both hemo vs. PD, the advantages and disadvantages of both forms of dialysis treatment, and of course some of my family history of Polycystic kidney disease, traced as far back as the 1940’s, a very interesting read and can be potentially very beneficial to pending dialysis pts, as well as the fairly new dialysis pts, and even maybe some of the veteran dialysis pts., like myself, could find it a very interesting read. My 2nd book is also available on ebook as well - My Twenty Year Journey with PKD in the Dialysis World. People I can’t stress this enough, consider being tested for possible early stage CKD, it potentially be very beneficial to many of you all over the world, and remember knowledge is key to managing CKD. Barnes & Nobles has my ebook on sale, if you guys are interested.
Hi all, it’s March - National Kidney Month - and the perfect opportunity to take notice of this very important awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease (better known to many in the renal/dialysis world as CKD). Chronic Kidney Disease is very seriously on the rise in this country, and all around the world for that matter, especially with individuals out there, with a history or family history of diabetes and/or high blood pressure (two of the main causes of CKD), this group of people we urge to very seriously think about getting tested for possible early stage CKD, so that preventive measures can be taken to help in prolonging or even in some cases reverse the progression of CKD. The kidneys can go unnoticed with possible signs of early stage CKD, and the main reason they can go unnoticed, is the lack of education about kidneys, which should truly be addressed (even with a physical, it could be beneficial to many out there). Though I am aware that many do end up developing ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease - Stage 5), it is not the end of the world, you can live a long and productive life on dialysis, no matter how long it takes to receive the blessing of a living or cadaver kidney transplant, but of course the majority of us, do want the blessing of a kidney transplant (which is by far the best treatment for CKD), and also continuing to encourage organ donation is so very important also, but like I mentioned previously in this post, you can live a long and productive life on dialysis. Knowledge is key, learning all you can about managing good health on dialysis and most importantly staying as compliant as possible with this renal diet (which can be challenging at times) and your particular medication regiment is key. I decided to publish a book a few years ago, to share my entire 20 year journey in the dialysis world, starting from my pre-dialysis days with a few humorous moments, how much the renal world has advanced since my father’s start in the early 70’s and to my pre dialysis days in 1990, and on to my initial start on hem dialysis, my first transplant experience back in 1993 (how much the transplant world has advanced, especially with anti-rejection meds), and the short hospital stay after the surgery. I also share important facts about the minerals in your body, and how important it is in keeping them in normal range. I share as a bonus, an array of renal friendly recipes in the cookbook section of my books, with very important nutritional facts included with easy cooking tips, and also some home remedies passed on from my Grandma Madea (who suffered with the polycystic kidney disease back in the mid 1940’s), to my dad (who developed ESRD back in the early 1970s) and to me with beginning of my saga in the renal world back in 1990. I also share my extensive dialysis experience with both hemo vs. PD, the advantages and disadvantages of both forms of dialysis treatment, and of course some of my family history of Polycystic kidney disease, traced as far back as the 1940’s, a very interesting read and can be potentially very beneficial to pending dialysis pts, as well as the fairly new dialysis pts, and even maybe some of the veteran dialysis pts., like myself, could find it a very interesting read. My 2nd book is also available on ebook as well - My Twenty Year Journey with PKD in the Dialysis World. People I can’t stress this enough, consider being tested for possible early stage CKD, it potentially be very beneficial to many of you all over the world, and remember knowledge is key to managing CKD. Barnes & Nobles has my ebook on sale, if you guys are interested.
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