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!

The Gift

Just the other day, a new friend in my aikido class shared a story with me. Knowing that I just went through a kidney transplant, she shared with me that someone close to her also went through it. About nine years ago, her aunt desperately needed a new kidney. Her Dad volunteered to give her one of his and be a living donor.

Not knowing what the experience of a living donor was, I asked her what his experience was like. She said that after the surgery her Dad said he felt like he was hit by a truck three times. He was in a lot of pain – probably similar to the pain a transplant recipient would experience. After all, not only was he cut open, but a major organ was just removed from him.

She said that her Dad was down and out for about two weeks and had to live with his parents while he was recovering. His parents took care of him at this time, which is probably difficult for any adult.

She said that it was so touching that he gave his kidney to her aunt. She guessed that he loved his sister so much that he was willing to go through that much pain. I was so touched, I almost cried right there on the mat!

After his recovery, he was up and about. He actually feels normal now, except that he only has one kidney. Her aunt is also doing very well. Her Dad and aunt still call each other at the transplant anniversary. They are very close since they shared a very special experience and also his kidney.

I was very honored that she shared her Dad’s story with me. Being a living donor is a significant commitment, but it connects you with another human being in a very unique way.

I received the same gift this year, as well, and for that, I am extremely grateful. Living or deceased – every donor’s gift is priceless. In this season of giving, I hope you all consider to sign-up to be an organ donor and give someone the gift of life.

Happy Holidays and have a Happy New Year!

The Diva Diet - Part III: Odds and Ends

This is my last installment of The Diva Diet – or what I call my post-kidney transplant diet. This one focuses on general, but important stuff.

As you read through these posts, please remember that this is what works for me.  Everyone is different.  You may need to adapt it for yourself and for the meds that you are taking.

Balanced Diet?

Maintain a balanced diet. For my meals, I try to adhere the Choose My Plate guidelines: combining protein, grains, and a good focus on vegetables. Although I am sometimes not successful, I usually try to add veggies with my meal – some of them pretty hidden (I don’t like peppers that much).

Also, as I mentioned in a previous post, I can now add whole wheat and other grains in my diet. Since I do not have any phosphorus restrictions, I can now experiment with different grains. When I was in dialysis, I was pretty much limited to white rice and white bread, which probably created havoc with my digestive system. Now, I can have quinoa, barley, corn meal, oats (my favorite) and oat bran.

I still need to be careful though; immunosuppressants may increase potassium in one's system so you may need to watch high-potassium foods like bananas, mangoes. and coconut. If this is the case, moderate your potassium a bit – just like when you were in dialysis. My guilty pleasure is usually bananas or mangoes. I’ll have only a third of a banana in my cereal and about third of a mango.

Key is everything in moderation. My meals are usually 4-5 ounces of protein, whole grains (I still have a bit of white rice added for flavor), and lots or veggies. I try to practice Meatless Mondays or just have Meatless lunches. Actually, when I have a meatless lunch, I am more alert in the afternoon and don’t get that 2:30 slump.

When in doubt, ask your nutritionist. Since I've been experimenting on different foods, sometimes, I find things that may be iffy. A few recent examples are celery seed (as a replacement for salt) and wakame salad (seaweed salad). I usually start with my own research, but if I don't find any relevant information, I consult with my transplant coordinator or my nutritionist. They are the experts on this, not me.

Keep moving.  This means what you think it means: exercise. I find that when I walk, my body (and mind) is able to function more efficiently. I make it a point to exercise at least 20-30 minutes at least five days a week.

Me in aikido class - one of my favorite activities

Do vary it. Example, I practice a martial art called aikido, practice hula dancing, and do regular cardio like walking or doing the elliptical. I am trying to incorporate stretches and core strengthening exercises, but I feel at this point cardiovascular exercises are more important in maintaining a good blood pressure.

Be cautious not to overdo it – and believe me, I have. While it is important to move, again do it in moderation and consult your doctor before you start a new routine. I have to keep reminding myself that my surgery was not too long ago. Rest and recovery are still equally important.

Keep hydrated. My new kidney needs to be constantly hydrated, so I need to drink plenty of water. Actually, everytime I see the word “hydrate”, “drink”, or “water”, I drink some water. I guess it’s my version of a drinking game.

I believe hydration is key in keeping your creatinine low. Now, that it’s winter, like me, you probably don’t want to drink water, but continue on hydrating. Choose low-caffeine or herbal teas. Soups are okay too, I think – just be cautious of the sodium content.

 

I try to keep these tips in mind everyday. Although some of these we really need to adhere to (like food safety), the ones that are optional, I try not too obsess over (too much). It’s the holidays, and it is time to celebrate with family and friends. I plan to relax, be careful, and enjoy my new kidney.

Bon Appetit!

You might also enjoy:

The Diva Diet - Dining In

The Diva Diet - Dining Out

The Diva Diet - Part II: Dining Out

Now that Thanksgiving is over, as always, most of the challenge in sticking to your diet when eating out: office parties, group parties, get-togethers with visiting friends or relatives, etc… The list is endless.

As a kidney transplant recipient, I still have restrictions, but there is no reason why I cannot enjoy these holiday get-togethers. Here are my ideas for keeping your diet during the holiday season while dining out.

Be Mindful of Food Safety When Dining Out. As I mentioned in a previous post, we need to continue to be careful of infection, from all sorts of germs or bacteria. I can understand why this is a concern. After watching shows like Kitchen Nightmares and Restaurant Impossible, we have seen problematic kitchens and food gone bad that were still served to the public. All of us need to ensure that the establishment has passed health safety guidelines and that the food is stored and prepared well in a very sanitary way. Since my transplant, my husband and I have been very picky in selecting restaurants when we eat out. We often limit ourselves to nice, very nice restaurants, but this can get expensive.

 

No Buffets. This is a follow-up to the food safety issue. With buffets, the food has been exposed to different people, so you never know who touched what or what temperature it has been kept. With food exposed to different people, you never know what germs they may carry. Again, after watching Restaurant Impossible and seeing buffets that were not kept at the correct temperature, I can understand why this continues to be a concern.  Served Hors d’Ouevres are out now too: same principle as buffets, except now your food is traveling.

Cafeteria-style food may be okay. Assess the situation and figure out if this option is safe. Do not be tempted by really yummy food – your life is more important. An alternative may be to wait until you get home and just simply nuke it.

Order your own entrée. As I mentioned before, when dining out, meals really need to be made for me only – Hence, the name “Diva Diet”. If it is just my husband and I, we usually share an appetizer and an entrée, but we move it to separate plates. When we go with a group, I would stick to my own dish.

Family-style food may be okay, as long as they use serving spoons, AND no one is sick.

No raw meats or eggs. Unfortunately, that includes raw sushi and oysters – my old favorites. Again, it’s a question of bacteria. So, I must say goodbye to my beloved salmon rolls, ahi pokes, oysters-on-the-half-shell, and tuna tartars. Even smoked foods like salmon are also out of the question. Sigh, at least, I think, I can still have cooked sushi (ebi and unagi anyone?) and usually there are other items on the menu.

Be careful of raw eggs too. This may mean aioli, Caesar salad dressings, certain meringues (baked meringues are probably fine), and eggnog! No more eggnog lattes. The only raw thing that would be safe would be fruits and vegetables.

Deli Sandwiches. Improperly reheated cold cuts and soft cheeses can contain certain bacteria that can cause illness and possibly death to a kidney transplant patient. That means no more cold cuts, or for that matter cold, deli sandwiches. Also, the coleslaws and potato salads are probably not a good idea either. Some possible alternatives: hot sandwiches or a bagel and cream cheese … and get them from a high-end deli.

Craving for Tacos? Make it yourself.

A word on fast food. I do not normally eat fast food, but a sucker for some of them, especially tacos or hash browns. I think occasionally it’s okay: I am going to limit myself to maybe once a quarter. Surprisingly, since I’ve been eating fresh food and whole grains, I do not have any craving for fast food anymore, except for tacos and hash browns.

Limit dining out. I’ve noticed that every time I eat out, I gain at least two pounds. To make the food really-really yummy, most chefs season their food rather well. Most of the weight that I gain is from water retention and it impacts my blood pressure. Can you imagine what happens when I eat out all the time? My blood pressure can go through the roof. If you can limit dining out, you can give your body a chance to get rid of the excess water.

Again, Do have fun! As a former dialysis patient, I have memories of food restrictions and evaluating how many binders to take if you had some pizza. Yay! Gone are those days. So even if you do have restrictions, try new places and new types of food. As an example, for Oktoberfest, we found a German restaurant nearby that was just awesome. My husband said it was just like what his Dad made. They gave us gigantic portions: so my husband halved the entrée and still had a full meal, and with a to-go box!

The key is to enjoy your new life while still keeping safe. As an old saying goes - “Life is to be enjoyed, not endured.”


Final installment: Other important stuff.

The Diva Diet - Part I: Dining In

With another off-site at work coming up, a friend at work asked me whether I still needed to bring my lunch. Our department usually provides our lunches and snacks during off-site meetings, but it is served buffet style. It is great for most people, but it does not really work for someone who had a transplant.

I explained to her that I probably will need to bring my lunch to off-sites forever, or at the very least, arrange for or order my own food. I explained that I need to have my meals made for me; it’s like a “Diva Diet.” It’s got to be made for me, because I am special (wink).

 

I have written about my diet in bits and pieces in previous blog posts. However, with the holidays coming up, the parties and various gatherings may prove to be challenging. I would like to socialize, but sometimes it is fairly difficult to explain my situation, especially around happy occasions like the holidays. I think writing this post will help me figure out how to deal with my situation in social gatherings and also will be a great reminder for me.

Guidelines for the “Diva Diet”: Cooking at Home and Dining In

Dining in is now fun because I have a bit more variety on what I can cook. I would call this the “Iron Chef” or the “Chopped Kitchen” diet, but I think “Diva Diet” is a little bit catchier.

Make sure that everything is cooked thoroughly. This means no more runny eggs, medium rare meats, ceviches, or sushi with raw fish. With a big turkey, make sure that it is thoroughly cooked (I bought a meat thermometer for this purpose).

Everything should be well done. With my immune system lowered, cooking must kill any lingering germs since this could be detrimental to my new kidney. As an example, the nutritionist at UC Davis said that certain salmonella can considerably damage my new kidney. Better avoid and live another day.

Important note: eggnog could be problematic because it does contain raw egg yolk. Also, I should avoid of aiolis since they traditionally contain raw eggs (Although I have seen cheater ones, but why take a chance).

Keep things clean

Maintain food safety. Just as important as keeping a healthy diet is maintaining excellent food safety.  Bad bacteria in foods can make you sick, and with my new kidney, I am more susceptible to illness. Maintaining good food preparation habits when cooking is very important. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water. When in doubt, wash your hands... again and again and again.

Make sure everything is clean, and I mean everything: your kitchen, surfaces, utensils, plates, and the food. 

Wash your food thoroughly. If needed, use a vinegar and water mixture to wash your veggies. Cut your fruit before eating it to see if there is any spoilage or unexpected crawling visitors (e.g. worms).

Potlucks. Potlucks are probably the biggest challenge for me since most of our family gatherings are potlucks. I do hope that my family has safe food practices. Make sure that everyone uses a serving spoon. For this year, I have been sticking to the hot foods and zapping it in the microwave first before eating. If you don't know where the microwave is, have a back-up. At the very least, have a granola bar in your purse.

Desserts may be iffy. I always look at the tempting pies or cakes and wonder if they are safe. I generally just not have it. If it is single-serve or wrapped, it is possible to enjoy it, but if it has been hanging out for a while, I avoid it. General rule of thumb: when in doubt, avoid it. It's really not worth it.

Also, since these are your family or friends, maybe you can go first. This avoids the germ issue. This is the Diva Diet after all. Also, avoid going for seconds. The food is not as safe at that point, but if you must, nuke it.

Enjoying the bounty of the season

Most importantly, have fun. Although I have restrictions, it is not like when I was on dialysis when I had to take binders every time I eat something with high phosphorus or be wary of the potassium content of my food. Given that, sometimes it does feel that it is more restrictive. I do miss my salmon sushi, oysters, and ahi poke (a Hawaiian raw salad with ahi tuna), but I think I already had my share of this.

Feel free to experiment. I love trying out new ingredients. As an example, recently, I just tried Delicata squash and molasses. Although I still have to watch for potassium and cholesterol due to my immunosuppresants, I feel I can be more adventurous as long as I maintain a balanced diet.

 

Next installment: Dining Out

What a week!

This week was somewhat challenging for me. The devastation in the Philippines affected my Hubby and me emotionally. Seeing the extensive devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda as known in the Philippines) in Tacloban and other cities in the Visayas was horrific. We have been seeing in the news how the Filipinos are suffering and coping.  The situation is very sad, and it will take them many years to rebuild and economically recover. And too, the emotional damage to each and every survivor may take much longer. Can you imagine losing most of your family and friends? It is devastating.

I am somewhat fortunate. Although I have friends and family still in the Philippines; my family and some of my best friends are not in the affected areas. I contacted each of them to check how they are, and fortunately, they are all safe. For that, I am extremely grateful. According to my step-mom, they are far enough from the eye of the storm that they only had some fairly strong rain and wind.

I also checked how my family is, specifically my Dad. Last time I heard, he would not take his maintenance medication for hypertension. Sadly, We now found out that my Dad is not in good shape. He was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease – the same as my Grandmother. My step-mom did not tell us prior because she did not want to worry us, since she knew that I just had major surgery.

I had mixed feelings when I read the news. I was glad that they are safe, but obviously now very worried about my father. I was very close to my Dad when I was growing up. I hung out with him after school at his office and do homework. He would build all sorts of gadgets for me, which is probably why I got interested in technology: I remember he once tried to make a piano out of light switches. I would watch him while he is writing his TV or movie scripts; later on, I would use up half of his paper and write short stories or scripts of my own (which is why I fancy myself as a writer) or just draw on it (I also consider myself an artist). He taught me how to drive and opened my eyes to different cuisines (including my first encounter to sashimi, which I love because of him). It’s very sad to hear that he’s not in good shape, not the same old Dad that I remember. It is one of those times when I wish I am living close to him and not thousands of miles away.

I am not quite sure what to do you yet. To a certain extent, I am overwhelmed. What are my responsibilities to my countrymen? What are my responsibilities to my Dad? What about to my husband and my family here and, to myself?  I wanted to jump on the first plane to the Manila and be by Dad, but that is probably not the best option right now. It is a gut reaction of a daughter who just wants to take care of her parent.  

Do I jump on the plane to try to help the people devastated by the typhoon? Or will I be jeopardizing my own health if I do that? With my compromised immune system, I have been avoiding exposure to germs for months, and here I am considering flying off to help people in probably a germ-infested area, without regular access to clean water and nourishment to my new kidney. If I risk myself, how I continue to help? Who's going to take care of Meow and be a partner to my husband?

What a dilemma.

I am still figuring out how to balance it all out. There is no doubt though … the human spirit is resilient, and, one way or another, we will be able to make it through these most trying times.

To donate to the relief effort to the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, check out the following sites:

• United Nations World Food Programme
• United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
• Catholic Relief Services
• Doctors Without Borders

And please pray and wish for my Dad some really good luck!

Rogue Kidney's Day-off

Cupcake stash - these are actually minis.

I decided to finally take a day off this week. My brain was full, and I felt that I really needed to work on some stuff around the house. Some things, needless to say, had gotten out of control and disorganized. I just need to do it.

I had a productive day planned: wake up early, put away the clean clothes, tidy up the kitchen counter, make pancakes for breakfast, have lunch out with Hubby, and make dinner at a relaxing pace, catch up with my email at work and home, and probably three or more other things.

Here’s how the day went:

Overslept

Had chai and my pre-made (homemade) muffins

Had lunch out with Hubby (Fish Sandwich for me and Fettuccine Carbonara for Hubby –Yum!)!

Bought cupcakes from Kara's Cupcakes (Yum again!)

Went to Trader Joe’s to get provisions

Napped

Tidied up the kitchen counter

Made Kale Salad for our dinner

Vegged-out on the couch and watched TV.

Slept.

It was not as productive a day as I had planned. I was a little disappointed that I was not more productive, but maybe that was the day that I needed; just unplug and recharge. I keep reminding myself that “I just had major surgery”  – I can’t run at 150% yet, let’s just try 100% with some breaks.

The next day, I was energized and more ready to work. I did get a chance to clean up my email… Funny thing though. More emails came and filled my inbox.

Sigh.