I'm excited to report that I have been gout-free for almost two weeks (I hope this post won't jinx me). I've been watching my diet closely and I think that helped a lot -- not too much sugar, no gout-causing foods, and not too much sodium.
Hope this keeps up.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Almost Perfect
Hubby and I spent our 8th anniversary last Wednesday in Monterey, California. We drove down early in the morning: grabbed a cream cheese/lox bagel on the drive down; had lunch at Schooner's, our favorite place in Monterey; spent a couple of hours at the aquarium to watch the graceful seahorses; checked in to our beautiful suite (almost the same size as our condominium); and finally, enjoyed a great dinner at Roy's in Pebble Beach. We were treated like royalty at Roy's: greeted with shell leis and a welcome photograph; had the best window seat in the house; and of course, enjoyed a fabulous meal, complete with wine and sorbets. I was a fan of Roy's before this event -- now I am a BIG fan!
The next day, we spent the morning whale watching. It was our first time whale watching, and it turned out to be an amazing day! We saw a mom, baby, and "nanny" humpback whales - breaching, fluking, flapping, and spouting. It was just awesome. The more experienced passengers said that this was such an extraordinary whale watching day -- we were lucky to have witnessed such a wonderful sight. We also saw hundreds and hundreds or Risso's dolphins on the way back. What a sight!!!
It was an amazing three-days! Would have been perfect, if I did not have gout... but still amazing! I have no complaints.
The next day, we spent the morning whale watching. It was our first time whale watching, and it turned out to be an amazing day! We saw a mom, baby, and "nanny" humpback whales - breaching, fluking, flapping, and spouting. It was just awesome. The more experienced passengers said that this was such an extraordinary whale watching day -- we were lucky to have witnessed such a wonderful sight. We also saw hundreds and hundreds or Risso's dolphins on the way back. What a sight!!!
It was an amazing three-days! Would have been perfect, if I did not have gout... but still amazing! I have no complaints.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Perfect Storm
Not sure if it was the three days of aikido training, being that time of the month, maybe a bad dialysis session, or the macaroni salad and lamb that I had for lunch, but I had probably the worst gout attack of my life this week.
It started at about 4:00 p.m. on Monday, right before dialysis, in the middle of the day. That made my dialysis quite uncomfortable. I was chilled and near cramping through the session.
The next day, I could barely walk. Being me (ahem), I attempted to work from home. My usual spot was quite uncomfortable, so I headed for the couch by mid-morning. I was miserable the rest of the day... (but still working to keep sane!). I did not have any appetite, but I knew that I had to eat to keep the colcichine down. For the first time in my life, I took acetaminophen with codeine. Boy, that knocked me down, and Hubby (by association) and I FINALLY had a good night sleep.
Wednesday was slightly better. I still could not walk forward, but I could do my version of the moonwalk (sliding backwards). Come afternoon, I could walk like a penguin, bobbling from left to right. Hubby said I looked cute.
The pain subsides as the days pass, but the swelling is another story. As I write this, my foot is about the size of a basketball (maybe half), in honor of the NBA Finals. No dancing for me tonight.
Through all this, Hubby, even with his mending broken ribs, continues to accompany me to my dialysis sessions and wait on me while I am immobilized with gout. I guess I am lucky to have him.
It started at about 4:00 p.m. on Monday, right before dialysis, in the middle of the day. That made my dialysis quite uncomfortable. I was chilled and near cramping through the session.
The next day, I could barely walk. Being me (ahem), I attempted to work from home. My usual spot was quite uncomfortable, so I headed for the couch by mid-morning. I was miserable the rest of the day... (but still working to keep sane!). I did not have any appetite, but I knew that I had to eat to keep the colcichine down. For the first time in my life, I took acetaminophen with codeine. Boy, that knocked me down, and Hubby (by association) and I FINALLY had a good night sleep.
Wednesday was slightly better. I still could not walk forward, but I could do my version of the moonwalk (sliding backwards). Come afternoon, I could walk like a penguin, bobbling from left to right. Hubby said I looked cute.
The pain subsides as the days pass, but the swelling is another story. As I write this, my foot is about the size of a basketball (maybe half), in honor of the NBA Finals. No dancing for me tonight.
Through all this, Hubby, even with his mending broken ribs, continues to accompany me to my dialysis sessions and wait on me while I am immobilized with gout. I guess I am lucky to have him.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Transitions...
May was a tough month for us. It did not start out that way, but it became more challenging as the month went on.
As it turns out, we decided to switch dialysis centers last month. We had an ongoing care issue with my assigned technician in Dialysis Center A. Early on in the month, an incident happened that made me very mad. I was cramping and in so much pain, and instead of helping me, my technician and the nurse were chatting and commenting on my snacks. This was not the first time that something like this happened. I got angry, and demanded that I be taken off the machine. I have not been back there again.
After a face-to-face discussion with the area manager with Dialysis Center A and the director of Dialysis Center B (courtesy of Hubby) and a lot of "make-up" dialysis sessions (usually on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday during my work hours), we are finally on a regular schedule with Dialysis Center B. The center is not as pristine as the other one and about 10 minutes further, but the staff seems to be more on top of things and more attentive. It is also near an Asian market (pork buns -- yippee!!!) and the dojo!
So far, things are going well, and I have not cramped since I started there. The only downside is that they are not used to locating my veins yet, and I am back down to size 17 needles. I am hoping that even with that I can keep to my twice a week schedule.
As it turns out, we decided to switch dialysis centers last month. We had an ongoing care issue with my assigned technician in Dialysis Center A. Early on in the month, an incident happened that made me very mad. I was cramping and in so much pain, and instead of helping me, my technician and the nurse were chatting and commenting on my snacks. This was not the first time that something like this happened. I got angry, and demanded that I be taken off the machine. I have not been back there again.
After a face-to-face discussion with the area manager with Dialysis Center A and the director of Dialysis Center B (courtesy of Hubby) and a lot of "make-up" dialysis sessions (usually on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday during my work hours), we are finally on a regular schedule with Dialysis Center B. The center is not as pristine as the other one and about 10 minutes further, but the staff seems to be more on top of things and more attentive. It is also near an Asian market (pork buns -- yippee!!!) and the dojo!
So far, things are going well, and I have not cramped since I started there. The only downside is that they are not used to locating my veins yet, and I am back down to size 17 needles. I am hoping that even with that I can keep to my twice a week schedule.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Mein Fuß ist geschwollen
... Es tut mir weh.
I had another gout attack this Tuesday, and this was the first thing that I thought of after seeing my red foot. The phrase roughly translates to "My foot is swollen. It hurts." I think German language is finally seeping into my subconscious; this after listening to the Conversational German tapes in the car (over and over again - and this is my second pass) and reading the text while in the center. It's my way of making my commute time and needle time semi-productive. I listened to these tapes about a year ago when I started this long commute, and this is my second time listening to it. At least now, I have two sentences.
Incidentally, the first sentence is: Was ist los, meine Liebchen? ("What is the matter, my sweetheart?"). I say that to the cat a lot. Her normal answer is "Meow" which I think is not in German.
For now, I think I am done with these two tapes. I am thinking of learning some Russian next or reviewing some French (although I *really* should review my Hawaiian; I need that more). Look forward to some blogs starting in Russian.
I had another gout attack this Tuesday, and this was the first thing that I thought of after seeing my red foot. The phrase roughly translates to "My foot is swollen. It hurts." I think German language is finally seeping into my subconscious; this after listening to the Conversational German tapes in the car (over and over again - and this is my second pass) and reading the text while in the center. It's my way of making my commute time and needle time semi-productive. I listened to these tapes about a year ago when I started this long commute, and this is my second time listening to it. At least now, I have two sentences.
Incidentally, the first sentence is: Was ist los, meine Liebchen? ("What is the matter, my sweetheart?"). I say that to the cat a lot. Her normal answer is "Meow" which I think is not in German.
For now, I think I am done with these two tapes. I am thinking of learning some Russian next or reviewing some French (although I *really* should review my Hawaiian; I need that more). Look forward to some blogs starting in Russian.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Trimming the roses
I spent sometime this Sunday morning trimming our rose bushes. It is great to get up and do some chores around the house without pain. Funny, as it sounds, I miss doing the little things and almost forgot how to do them.
As I was trimming our beloved plants, I realized that our roses, one rose bush in particular – the Double Delight, seems to have paralleled my life the last two years. The rose bushes have been unkempt. It has a number of dried wood and leaves that needed to be trimmed and faded blossoms that need to be cut back. As I cut the dead branches and plucked the yellow leaves, I realize this is exactly like my situation the last two years: a number of health-related problems that needed (and still need) to be resolved. As time goes by and as the treatments and healing continues, my dead leaves are plucked away, and things become clearer – allowing things to grow, just like what I am doing to the roses. The roses have a bit more room to breathe and enjoy the sun now, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The bigger dried branches need to be trimmed, and with my compromised right arm, I will need hubby’s help for that… just like my health situation.
The roses have me and Hubby. I have Hubby. I hope Hubby realizes that he has me, the roses, and the cat to take care of him.
As I was trimming our beloved plants, I realized that our roses, one rose bush in particular – the Double Delight, seems to have paralleled my life the last two years. The rose bushes have been unkempt. It has a number of dried wood and leaves that needed to be trimmed and faded blossoms that need to be cut back. As I cut the dead branches and plucked the yellow leaves, I realize this is exactly like my situation the last two years: a number of health-related problems that needed (and still need) to be resolved. As time goes by and as the treatments and healing continues, my dead leaves are plucked away, and things become clearer – allowing things to grow, just like what I am doing to the roses. The roses have a bit more room to breathe and enjoy the sun now, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The bigger dried branches need to be trimmed, and with my compromised right arm, I will need hubby’s help for that… just like my health situation.
The roses have me and Hubby. I have Hubby. I hope Hubby realizes that he has me, the roses, and the cat to take care of him.
Happy Easter... Happy Renewal
Hubby and I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter weekend. Ours was very nice, including Hubby putting together my very first Easter egg hunt. He had six eggs with corresponding clues -- two of which were rather tricky. I worked through the clues and found them all. The Easter egg hunt was a lot of fun!
We also had brunch at the TempleBar and Grill in Berkeley. This is an institution in the Hawaiian community of the Bay Area, and it was my first time there. TempleBar is very island-style: cozy and laid-back. Uncle Kem, the owner and famous ukulele musician and instructor was the featured entertainment. He even stopped by our table to say hello and asked if I danced hula. Long story short, I unexpectedly danced to some of my group's standard songs to the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders' live music. I think everyone enjoyed.
For more happy thoughts, my dialysis treatments continue to improve. My kT/V (the measure of adequacy of dialysis and remaining kidney function) has significantly improved from 2.33 to 3.56 in one month! This is really great news! I am hoping that this will lead to my getting reduced session time for my treatments!
We also had brunch at the TempleBar and Grill in Berkeley. This is an institution in the Hawaiian community of the Bay Area, and it was my first time there. TempleBar is very island-style: cozy and laid-back. Uncle Kem, the owner and famous ukulele musician and instructor was the featured entertainment. He even stopped by our table to say hello and asked if I danced hula. Long story short, I unexpectedly danced to some of my group's standard songs to the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders' live music. I think everyone enjoyed.
For more happy thoughts, my dialysis treatments continue to improve. My kT/V (the measure of adequacy of dialysis and remaining kidney function) has significantly improved from 2.33 to 3.56 in one month! This is really great news! I am hoping that this will lead to my getting reduced session time for my treatments!
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