Snow Day

For President’s Day Weekend, we planned to do a one-day ski trip to Lake Tahoe. We had a much-needed storm the weekend prior, and another one was forthcoming.

It was the perfect time. It was our first time back skiing in two years. Two years ago, the snow did not come and my Hubby had a damaged knee (from skiing down some advanced runs at Kirkwood), and last year, well - we all know what happened then (I had a kidney transplant).

I think I was a bit more anxious for this trip; not only because it has been awhile, but primarily, because I really had to be careful. I have to take care of my kidney while skiing; so, I have to be even more mindful of what is around me and the snow conditions; With my new kidney, I felt like one of the Slope Style skiers in the Winter Olympics at Sochi, Swedish skier Henrik Harlaut. He was inspired by the movie “Cool Runnings” and carried a lucky egg with him in his event. Instead of an egg, I have a very lucky kidney. I cannot have it break. (In case you missed it, we speculated that Henrik broke his egg after a nasty spill). I cannot have hard falls – especially on my right side.

When I am practicing aikido. I can more or less control what I do. However, I cannot control the people around me and I have to be 10 times more mindful when doing partner practice. While skiing and I have to be 100 times more aware. Also, I have to say goodbye to skiing fast. When I go fast, I have less time to react when something wrong happens. I remember that my skis are fast. The first time I used them, I could not believe how fast they wanted to go, and I had to accept and get used to the speed. Now, I have to do the opposite, and figure out how to control my speed.  On the slopes, Hubby and I started slow.  It was a great day though with blue skies and the slopes were still in great shape – groomed packed powder.

It felt good to be in the mountains and be outdoors. As we did our first run, the snow really felt good under my skis. I had good control of my skis, took easy, slow turns, and skied down the slope. It did not feel like I missed two years. Although we agreed to only do easy green runs, we stretched ourselves and tried a blue intermediate run before lunch. Most of the ski runs at Alpine Meadows are really advanced, i.e., even the blue runs are difficult, so, I opted to try an easy blue! I just took extra care and was able to complete my run – and another!

In fact, the trail conditions in the morning were so good (and the slopes were not crowded) that, I even put on the gas, and a few times when the slopes were nearly empty. It really felt good to be back on the mountains and ski! Being outdoors and feeling the fresh air felt great, and it reminded me why I love skiing. It gives me the opportunity to commune with the mountains and nature at its winter best and, also have fun at the same time. This ski trip made all the sacrifices of the past year worth it.

AWESOME DAY! SO STOKED!

To My Valentine

I would not have survived this past year after my transplant – no...  the past six years, without my husband. My husband has been at my side since my diagnosis. Not only did the diagnosis of End-Stage Renal Disease change my life, it also changed his. He nearly fell of the chair when my nephrologist said that I was at Stage 4 CKD and so soon. We had plans that needed to be revisited: we were going to travel, get advanced scuba diving certifications, and perhaps also pursue our PhD’s. After that diagnosis, a number of things changed and our dreams were shattered. 

During my time on dialysis, he was my biggest supporter. In that first year, he accompanied me to every dialysis visit. The subsequent years, we felt that it was better to have him at home, make dinner and take care of things around the house, so all I needed to do was come home and rest, which was very much needed… even up to now, whether I like it or not.

This past year after transplant was overwhelming for the two of us. For me, it has focusing on recovery and adjusting to my new life. For my husband, it has been focusing on taking care of me, the household, and the kitty cat. He is the one behind the scenes: taking care of all the paperwork from the hospital(s), Medicare, and our personal insurance. This was no joke. He does most of the housework: although I try to pitch in at the cooking and some tidying up.

During this time, he had some of his own health and physical challenges too. I only realize now that it was perhaps partly, if not mostly due to the stress of going through the last six years.

This being Valentine’s Weekend, I dedicate this post to my Hubby who is my best friend, my partner-in-life, and my forever Valentine. The last six years, we had mainly taken care of ourselves and focused internally.

Hopefully, with this new chance in life, we can still pursue our dreams – new and old.  I love you, Hubby. Me and Meow are thankful you are in our lives.

Happy Valentine’s Day!