A Test of Endurance

Blogger’s Note: One of the main reasons that I continue to blog is to share how my life is after the kidney transplant. After transplant, I expected to be able to do EVERYTHING that I used to do and "with much more gusto".

While it has been over a year and a half, I still am getting used to moving with my new kidney. I think part of it is that I choose to continue with activities that require me to adjust my movement - primarily martial arts. I have not even resumed my water activities, so hopefully we will soon see how that is affected. 

Also, I recently learned that because of my lowered immune system, I would get tired more (Thanks Dr. Oz), which is probably why I cannot do as much as used to do before dialysis "with gusto".

Plus, I am getting older. Anyways, here goes…

Last weekend (23rd through 25th of August) was a great aikido weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our division headquarters, Aikido of San Leandro celebrated their 30^th anniversary. It was a big deal: yudanshas (black belts) who have been training forever attended the celebration, high ranking teachers demonstrated, and long parties afterwards. It was a long but enjoyable weekend.

However, I knew that weekend would be a challenge to my energy level: we started training Friday night, then prepare for the long day of training and demonstrations on Saturday, then the potluck afterwards, and then Sunday’s All-Division training all the way to the other side of the bay (about an hour’s drive away… maybe an hour and a half). To add to that, we had a special guest instructor Monday evening, arranged by our sensei Sunday afternoon, so I knew I had to update our website and also attend class Monday night.

I had to plan. I was just going to leave work early on Friday, go and train, and rest for Saturday. However, the potluck was going to be an issue: for big events like this, I usually bring something homemade, but would keep until after two hours of training and two or more hours of demonstrations – usually something baked and sweet or a huge salad. I can still do it given my schedule, but I would not be getting enough rest – and I knew I would need it. I am still working outrageous hours at work and if I don’t give time to relax, I know there is little chance of my surviving the weekend.

What to do…

Compromise.

I decided not to bring something homemade this time. Although I opted for something store-bought, I went for something unique. Since students from all over the world would be coming to the party, I decided that sharing something from my heritage would be good. I brought Filipino rice cakes: different types. That way, I can try out what rice cake works. It's been my goal to learn how to make those cakes at home anyway, so this can be counted as "research".

I also took Friday off: I did not know how late class was going to be on Friday night so I decided to take it easy during the day, in the event that it will be a late night. Friday was dedicated to relaxation: no meetings, no work, no assignments… just rest, perhaps do something enjoyable, and prepare for the weekend.

During the weekend, I made sure I had plenty of rest and nourishment. I started the day with a really good but quick breakfast: usually a bagel with “the works”: tomatoes, cream cheese, and avocado (I know, potassium and phosphorus nightmare – but I can have it now, and it does fuel me for the day).

Saturday is usually a long day and lunch is not until 3 or 4 pm. I brought a good supply of provisions: nuts, kind bars, bread, and plenty of water, just in case. This was a good strategy since I cannot really enjoy the potluck; it’s almost like a buffet especially with that many people.

I used the same strategy on Sunday. The best thing about Sunday is that it’s a shorter day. Carpooling helped me conserve energy and saved a bit of carbon footprint.

Overall, four days of training was exhausting but rewarding. Not only did I get back in touch with old friends, but connected with my friends at our dojo. Since I carpooled two out of four days: We were able to share ideas, laughs, and stories. Carpooling became a great time to share and know each other better.

As I told my Sensei, it was a sensory and information overload. It was a very memorable experience. Because I was able to rest, I felt I was able to get the most of the event.

Now, it’s time to digest it all….

Why I move: Aikido

My apologies for not posting in a while: We took an extended weekend trip to the coast primarily for an aikido weekend. We spent four days in Monterey, California to enjoy the ocean, the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, enjoy farm fresh vegetables from the Salinas Valley and fresh fish, and three days of aikido.

Because of that fabulous weekend, I think this will be the perfect opportunity to continue my “Why I move” series, this time focusing on aikido.

As you probably have read in some of my previous posts, my aikido practice has been a major part of my life. I have been training longer than what I’d like to admit (only 12 years, longer if you count the year or two before graduate school) and am now a second-degree black belt. However, in some ways, there are still times when I feel that I am a beginner.

Aikido was my primary exercise when I was in dialysis. Back then, I could only train twice a week and was tired after that. Now, I am training at my normal schedule, three times a week, and can squeeze in a day or weekend if I need to.

I enjoy aikido because it provides me with a great way to release stress. I am not sure what it is, but after class, my mood is usually better and I feel happier.  Even if I feel tired before class, after class, I feel energized.

Aikido also improves my mental fitness. I saw a piece on TV that keeping your brain active and learning new concepts actually improves your brain and memory. Aikido definitely qualifies as that: although I’ve practiced for a while now, there are still new terminology, techniques, and combinations to remember. I really enjoy the blend of physical exercise, language, and patterns since I have been drawn to learning new languages. The exercise is a big bonus.

The relationships that developed while in aikido have been a major plus in my life. We have celebrated a lot of happy memories like marriages, engagements, and new babies. We have also been there for each other through sad events. In fact, my aikido family has been extremely supportive during my time on dialysis and through my recovery. They are very protective of me and that I do not injure my new kidney and my fistula. In the dojo, we take care of each other and are protective of our training partners. This is one of the principles of aikido. Also, we want our partners to come back and train some more.

Of course, aikido also benefits me physically. I think it is not only because of the exercise, but also because my body seems to function a lot better after class. As an example, if I feel like I am retaining water, after class, it seems resolved. As the Japanese would say, my ki or life force seems to be flowing better. That is actually what the “ki” in aikido means: Aikido is the way of harmony in energy or spirit.

Aikido was one of the things that helped me cope with dialysis and now as I learn my boundaries with a new kidney. I feel that as I train more: I feel more aware of my body and its limits. Although one may be hesitant to try it because it is a martial art and may be challenging, I highly recommend it to anyone. It will help you in body, mind, and spirit.

Just try it… you will enjoy it!

If you enjoyed this article, you may enjoy the others from my "Why I move" series:

• On Walking
• On Gym Time
• On Hula

Finally Nidan

I had a milestone this week. I just had my nidan (second-degree black belt) demo. I felt I have been preparing for my nidan test for about eight months. However, because of my transplant, I was not able to take my formal test last February (see my original post). Last Saturday, I finally had a chance to perform my demo and receive my certificate.

Right after my transplant, I was not even sure if I could train in aikido again. I was in so much pain that it took so much effort to just move around. Also, I have had to avoid trauma on my kidney “surgery spot,” so I was not sure how I could manage my training.

Slowly but surely, I was able to start training again. First, I just started with weapons class where we do not normally have close contact or take (too many) falls. After I was getting more confidence, I attended general practice once a week, then twice. After all, I had an exam to train for. Although twice a week practice wore me out a bit, I hoped (and still hoping) that I would eventually get used to it.

I did not have a formal test, because my Sensei felt it was not necessary. He said that I was basically ready for my test in February and was already training at a Nidan-level back then. The demo was just a formality.

During the celebration, Sensei gave me a card with Yosa Buson’s Autumn Haiku (see photo in this post). It reads:

Ichigyo no

Kari ya hayama ni

Tsuki wo insu

On the mountain crests

A line of wild geese

And the moon’s seal

To me it represents, a new season, a new beginning, and the continuing journey that I will have in aikido.

Onegai shimasu.

Missing Aikido

One of my disappointments with having a kidney transplant was not being able to train in Aikido while in recovery. I was very close to my Nidan test (second degree black belt) and felt good about the material. In my last class, Sensei asked me to demonstrate how to do counter-attacks from two different attacks. I was able to do them successfully. My friends said that I looked ready. Little did I know that that was my last class before surgery.

Now, I am on sabbatical.

I am not even sure if I can train again.

Some people have said that I may need to quit my martial arts training after I get a kidney. Others (nurses, teachers) say that being back on the mat is possible. Aikido is unique in this instance because it is generally not a full contact martial art. Sure, we occasionally punch or strike, but if one does the techniques correctly, the strike is avoided.

I miss being on the mat, and I hope to be back on it as soon as I am ready. I will use my sabbatical to really get to know and organize the material for my test. By the time I am back, I will be mentally ready. Physically? I hope so.

Me on my Shodan (1st degree black belt test). Nidan next?

If that does not happen, I think I need to be ready for the next chapter of my life. Aikido has taught me to be present, be in the moment. In the last seminar that I attended in our dojo, our Division Leader, Pat Hendricks Sensei had brought her calligraphy as a present to our sensei. One of it is “Founder,” and she was hoping that it would inspire us to find our own niche in Aikido. Maybe that will be my path.

Onegai shimasu.