One Year Later

January has always been a special month for me. It is the start of a new year and has always symbolizes new beginnings. Last year, it became extra-special since it was also the month when I had my kidney transplant. I cannot believe that it has been a year already.

I have been looking through my posts after the transplant and realized that I have come a long way. At that time, I could not walk without pain medication. Most of my days were spent sleeping. There were days when I would take four tablets of really strong pain meds. Now, I am walking, going to aikido class regularly, and dancing hula. I am even considering going back to the pool to prepare for our upcoming vacation (because it will hopefully be in somewhere tropical). The only time I take pain medication is when I overdo some of these activities.

It's not that everything is back to normal. I do miss some things that I can no longer enjoy because of my revised diet. I’ve always thought that I would never be pregnant, but now I am eating as if I were a pregnant lady – avoiding bacteria and raw food. At least, I can have some caffeine and wine.

I also still experience some sleepiness in the afternoon, probably due to one of my medications – most likely the blood pressure pills or even the immunosuppresants. But I still think I am very lucky: some transplant recipients experience numerous side effects to their new medications. Mine can be fixed with a latte or some chai.

We also had some scares along the way.  I have been hit twice accidentally in my kidney spot and recently got into a car accident. In each of those, I got very shaken up and felt extremely paranoid – sometimes paranoid to the point that I would prefer to stay home and be safe.  After some contemplation and introspection, these incidents did help me reset and give me new perspective. I do need to be even more careful and mindful.

I am really appreciative of those in my support system without whom I would not be able to make it through this year. The nurses, the doctors, and my friends – close and far away have made my recovery easier to manage. Most importantly, I am very thankful for my husband who has been by my side every day. Oh, let’s not forget my little angel – Meow, who also has been giving me emotional support and company.

This past year has been interesting, adjusting to my new situation and routine. I do intend to experience life to the fullest and not to be afraid of new adventures, as long as I continue to be mindful and careful. 

After all, isn’t that the point of being given a new chance in life?

Taking Inventory

Hmmm... What else should I add?

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year when I take inventory of the past year. I find that this exercise is very useful for me to reflect on the last year and plan for the next.

Accomplishments from Last Year: 

• Celebrated 12 great years with my Hubby
• Received my Nidan (2nd degree Black Belt) in Aikido
• Participated in AikiHorizons weekend retreat, California Aikido Association’s Fall Divisional Training Weekend, and the Shihan Seminar at Aikido of San Leandro
• Renewed interest in cooking (and getting pretty good at it)
• Raised money for the Kidney Walk and the Light the Night Walk and completed both walks.
• Completed the Turkey Trot, my first 5K (after surgery).
• Completed four high profile projects at work, two of which were very intense.
• Joined a new halau (hula group) and practicing one night a week. Learned a new hula in a month.
• Participated in a weekend hula workshop. I learned three new hulas and reconnected with some old friends.
• Helped in our halau’s Christmas show.
• Went to three San Francisco Giants games – so much fun!
• Baked a whole lot of (healthy) muffins
• … and lots of brownies (not necessarily healthy).
• Blogged, blogged, blogged.
• Oh yeah, Got a new kidney!

Wow! Even without my transplant, this was a big year. Although some of them are my routine yearly activities, I think this was a huge accomplishment after not even a year since my kidney transplant. I am a bit bummed since I did not quite complete a lot of my goals (Like "learn golf"); but perhaps I over-stretched and/or did not take into account the impact of the transplant. I thought the surgery would just be a walk in the park and I would be able to do a lot of stuff during my recovery.  Boy, I was wrong!

My hubby may be correct: I have to slow down and pace myself. I have written about slowing down before, but my rationale is “this is the pacing-myself version.” I do feel much healthier and have more energy. In fact, I feel less energized if I don’t stretch or move or get involved.

For next year, right now, I am having a bit of difficulty in identifying what my goals are. Back when I was on hemodialysis, things seemed to be a bit more certain; primarily because I had been on dialysis (for what seemed like) forever. I rarely planned for more than a year in advance.

Now, it is a whole new ballgame, and I have not really done this in a while. I am even thinking about the possibility of going back to school and take courses, maybe even pursue (another) advanced degree (or start taking steps towards it).

Here’s what I have so far. This list is still in it's early stages, so I am sure it will evolve: 

• CONTINUE to eat healthy (but treat myself occasionally), specifically having vegetables with lunch and dinner, snack healthy (veggies, yogurt, whole grains), eat more grains like quinoa. In fact, I’d like to have quinoa at least 4 to 6 times a month. Note: If you are on dialysis, do not have the whole grains-thing or quinoa as a goal. Your phosphorus will shoot up.
• Increase my HDL to at least 45 mg. Take fish oil (after approval from my doctor) and have Omega-3 rich foods at least once a week.  
• CONTINUE to participate in the Kidney Walk, the Light the Night Walk, and the local Turkey Trot – have some fun and raise some money for some great charities.
• For aikido: train like a Sandan (3rd degree black belt). I am not sure what that means yet.
• More for aikido: participate in the Spring and Fall Divisional Training and Summer Gasshuku (in Monterey).
• Work more in the office (rather than from home). My target is three days a week.
• Travel out of the country once again: Hubby’s choice: he is thinking about either Belize or Fiji it; it is his turn to pick-and-choose.
• STOP worrying too much. Relax and have fun!

Hmmm … Perhaps that is enough for now!