Hello friends!
Another month has gone by again… Looking over my calendar for the month of June, I’ve done mostly activities. Hey, it’s summertime and I want to enjoy the outdoor fun! I’ve attended some Jazz concerts outdoors, I’ve taken a road trip (in the rain) to see a small town festival, I learned how to grill on a charcoal grill (thanks Dad), I’ve attended a couple Rock concerts, and spent many hours at various pools ( no getting into the water though), just lounging- getting some some color to me!
During my outdoor fun, I may go out to the car to do my dialysis…or, I’ve even done my dialysis driving. I’ll sit parked to drain out the old fluid, then once I start filling, I’ll drive. It works great as time saver! When, I’m done- I wait til my destination then disconnect. I’m just waiting for a cop to pull me over…ha, just kidding!
In other exciting news- I’ve started a support group for young adults with kidney diseases. Yes, there are several others like me. We’ve decided to call our group Young Adult Kidney Beans. It’s unique, catchy, inviting…I didn’t want anything negative like the word disease in the group name. I”m working on some fliers to give out. Our goal is to of course grow the group-we’ll target other dialysis clinics, hospitals, doctor offices, attend fairs, other networking events… I’ve made an incredible connection with the city of Olathe. I promise to continue keeping you all posted on the progress of this.
I’ve spoken with a Holistic Kidney Doctor- very interesting. Now, it’s a matter of taking action, investing into some supplements. I have to take this in addition to the meds I’m already taking- that’s like 20 pills a day! I really like this gal- she lost both of her kidneys and knows firsthand what I’m experiencing. She’s done a ton of research on the good products and has provided the various websites. She give me strict orders to watch comedy only- aim for 3 belly laughs a day! She said the ancient Chinese call it Kidney Chi- ones kidneys are dominated by fear- by watching the news and suspenseful dramas only makes things worse, especially having minimal kidney function. You want to preserve and try to restore what you have left. She also told me to go to bed at 10pm every night. I’m having a really tough time with this as I’m sitting here typing this blog at 12:30 am.
Oh my- how could I forget that list fun thing I had to do to get on the transplant donor list! I thought I was good to good with the Dental Clearance being the last item. Ha- apparently not! I get this letter from my new nurse coordinator who I’m not very impressed with so far…and its states this foreign language item called hemocult test. Okay. There’s another little envelope with little wooden sticks…okay, still unsure what the heck it is…I open the envelope and read the instructions. Oh boy- I get to take samples of my poop! I have to do this for 3 Days! Seriously?! One day’s not good enough? I’ll try to share these details in a graceful matter…So, there’s this tissue paper that you have to lay in the bowl of water so your elements don’t sink to bottom making it much more difficult to grab the sample- if you know what I mean… Then you take the little wooden stick and get a sample and smear it on this cardboard square that’s like 1/8″ by 1/8″. You use the same stick and take another sample from a different part of the elements and smear it in another square. You close this and let it dry for a day. This is how it’s “supposed to go…” As always, I have interesting things that occur to me…I just have to laugh and say: “more material to entertain my readers!”
So, I do my business on the tissue paper ( so I thought). I go to get a sample and I have completely blown through the tissue paper! Yes, my elements thought they were torpedoes or something and chose to sink to the bottom. Can we say fire in the hole? The little wooden stick itself is only maybe 3″ long…where’s a chop stick when you need one?The other days went as they should, thank goodness! I completed my 3 days worth of samples- and figured it’s best to hand deliver this as I don’t want my crap getting lost in the mail! If only the postal workers knew what those envelopes contained…
So other interesting news- I have drastically lost weight again as I posted on my wall a couple days ago. This is just absolutely crazy! I haven’t weighed this amount since I was in junior high school1 One guy friend says- that’s hot! What?! No, it’s not- It’s unhealthy you moron! My blood pressure is Not low, so therefore, I’m not dehydrated.
As always, I continue to meet new people and openly share my situation. I also use my catheter as a deterrent from men that insist on trying to buy me drinks when I’m out.Yep, I most definitely do- you can ask my friends! I should start taking pictures of these guys’ reactions- they are “Kodak moments” or I guess the new phrase is “facebook worthy”.
Well, that about sums up the month of June. Another holidays upon us…enjoy your Independence Day and remember to give thanks for living in such a great country!
Thank you for your dedicated prayers and loving support!
