Hi all, I have a great deal to share with you. First, last Sunday, was Easter Sunday, and it was an enjoyable, wonderful, spiritual and relaxing day for me and my family. First, i planned to attend Sunrise Services, but that didn't transpire, because I didn't plan on having any issues with my PD cycler, which delayed my planned time to be off the machine by 5:30 AM. Let me break it down to you, i had gotten smoothly through the self testing phase of the therapy setup, and then i continued by connecting the bags and opening the lines, etc. etc, and went on to the primming phase of the treatment setup, but about ten minutes later, the cycler alarms, displaying check bags and lines, so i did the usual protocol, checking for leaks, holes, kinks and possible fibrin in the line, but it appeared to be clear, i then attempt a second time to continue the primming phase, but the alarm went off five minutes later, and then i decided to call the baxter helpline, and they went through the very same scenarios, that i had originally went through, and she then ask me to hold the tubing that sticks out from the cassette holder, and pull them up and down, and i did that, but the alarm went off again, but this time, she stayed on the phone, a few minutes, and then she told me to turn the heater bag over, with the writing faced down, and that didn't work. She was so sad to say, because i could hear it in her voice, i am afraid you will have to get a new second bag, and clamp off the original second bag, and hook up the new 2nd bag to a new line, and i did just that, about 15 minutes later, the cycler displayed connect patient. Yes, it worked, but i wasted a 2.5 bag in the process, oh well, it is all good. I was able to attend the 10:00 AM service instead, and it was a very uplifting service, i enjoyed all the singing and of course, the sermon as well. I even saw a fellow dialysis pt., that i hadn't seen in several months at the unit, as i returned to PD, towards the end of December. It was great seeing him, and he looked great. Since our plans were deferred somewhat, we didn't get a chance to go to Sunday Brunch, so i made a great Easter meal at home, consisting of Braised Cabbage, Corn Beef Brisket, and Pinto Beans w/ dinner rolls of course, a lemon cake for dessert and homemade Lemonade, with lemons from my garden. We sat down later on, as this has been a tradition in my family for many years now to watch (our tape of the Ten Commandments), we missed it on Saturday on TV. Now, even thought i enjoyed Easter Sunday, i am still very concerned about my ongoing saga with acid reflux, heartburn, acid indigestion, you name it, it has got to be one of those health issues, as my throat feels like it is on fire, usually at bedtime, i was told that this occurs, when you eat late, or have a midnite snack, but that is not the case at the moment, because i eat early in the evening, and i didn't have anything to eat during the late night, go figure! i am aware that i was diagnosed with diverticulosis (i hope i spelled that correctly, let alone, i can't even pronounced it right (lol), but anyway, this was discovered during my colonoscopy, back a few years ago. First the dr. gives me the good news, that there were no polys or masses present, i was happy to hear this, but then he continued by saying you do have diverticulosis, and i said what! what is divticulosis (i know i didn't pronounced it right, because he repeated it the correct way - (lol) And me always being curious about anything new to do with my health, especially if it can be harmful, wanted to know what is this diverticulosis. So, he began telling me, by using an example, (like an innertube), this was truly blowing my mind and he continued with that it is small pouches in my colon that bulge outward through weak spots, like an innertube that pokes through places in a tire, and each pouch is called a diverticulum, and when the pouches become infected or inflammed, (so to speak), that is when the condition is called diverticulosis, and then he continued by saying PKD patient have a greater risk of developing diverticulosis. He did stress that i should consider a high fiber diet, and limit seeded food, as well as nuts, as much as possible, to lessen the affects of diverticulosis. Well the reason why i shared this, is because, i got to thinking about this diverticulosis, that i was diagnosed with a few years back. I don't really eat much nuts, and i am not sure if i am following a high fiber diet, but i do have a good bowel movement, all the same, because i was told to avoid getting constipated on PD, so i think i have been following that part of my diet pretty OK. Besides i take stool softeners on the regular, and i do snack on dry prunes and raisins from time to time. Well enough about that. I will be addressing this to my neph at the next monthly visit, you can best believe that. I am still having ongoing issues with fluid buildup around my lungs, due to my return last year temporarily to hemo. I wasn't having these issues prior to temporarily stopping PD, go figure! i know hemo isn't good for me anymore, but well i had to return to hemo in order to have an umblicial hernia repaired, due to my ongoing PD treatment, it is one thing or another with this renal/dialysis life, right! but all in all, i have triumph through every obstacle, that i have had to face in this very unique life, that i have been living for over 20 year. Oh, did i forgot to share that i am in my 22nd year of dialysis treatment (lol). Well don't get it twisted, i am not in anyway proud of this, i am just grateful and blessed to even have dialysis for my continued survival with polycystic kidney disease. With my families love and support, it has gotten me through so much all these years, and i love my husband and daughter with all my heart. You can live a long, happy and productive life on dialysis, no matter, how long it takes to receive the blessing of a cadaver kidney. And that is why i published this 2nd book - sharing all that i have endured, from my predialysis days to my initital hemo treatment and on to the blessing of a first transplant, and etc. etc., Even Hemo vs. PD, in which i have extensive experience and knowledge in both forms of treatments. And i am (i must say) a pretty good cook, and i have shared an array of renal friendly recipes in the cookbook section of both my books, with nutritional facts included on most of the renal friendly recipes, with easy to prepare instructions and of course some pictures of some of the dishes in my 2nd book, which is available on ebook, if you are interested - My Twenty Year Journey with PKD in the Dialysis World or My Renal Life (i know it, i live it). Well that is it for now, stay well and compliant with your renal diet and medication regiment, i know that is easier said than done, yes, this renal diet can be quite challenging from time to time, and i know this all too well (lol). Until my next blog, take care and all the best to my followers.
Glo
No comments:
Post a Comment