Category: Brian’s Journey

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Navigating Fitness Challenges with Compromised Kidneys

Written on June 2, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

I’ve faced some real challenges with my exercise progress recently. After returning from Florida, I haven’t managed to up the weight in my curls.

I tire out quickly, and it’s taking me longer to bounce back from muscle soreness than it used to. The crux of the issue lies in muscle recovery. Given my compromised kidney function, I’m restricted to consuming just 35 grams of protein a day. There are times I wonder if my kidneys were healthier, could I increase my protein intake and, by extension, build more muscle? However, I’ve learned to work within my limits and maintain patience with my body’s pace.

Recognizing the importance of patience, I also realize the need for adaptation in my approach to fitness. Given my difficulties with muscle recovery, I’m contemplating introducing multiple weight-training sessions throughout the day. I’m considering adding a second set, perhaps before my evening meal. This idea has just been on my radar, primarily because I hadn’t found the right time or a consistent trigger for this addition to my routine.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of this new strategy. Following my usual run, I’ll get supper ready and shower. Then, I’ll perform a second set of weight training before I sit down to eat. This additional session is an experiment to see if increasing the frequency of my workouts can accelerate my progress.

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Navigating the Challenges of Recovery and Daily Routines

Written 5/31

Hello Dear Readers,

Today, I lagged behind my usual routine due to an unexpected oversleep. Let me share how my day got off to a slower start. Exhaustion took hold of me last night, a remnant from hours spent mowing the lawn. It’s a taxing endeavor, especially when grappling with a compromised kidney function. Fatigue becomes a constant, unwelcome companion when your kidneys aren’t functioning optimally.

In my journey to recovery post-brainstroke, I’ve committed to regular exercise to boost my overall activity levels. This has indeed infused more energy into my days. Nevertheless, there are occasions when, despite a whole night’s rest, I feel unusually drained. Last night was such an instance. I went to bed on time, expecting sufficient sleep to recharge me.

I was awakened by my alarm this morning, ready to start the day. However, as I was about to rise, my wife initiated her post-run shower. My morning routine invariably begins with a bathroom visit, so I opted to wait for her to finish. Unfortunately, the coziness of my bed proved too seductive, and I drifted back to sleep.

This very scenario is why my occupational therapist has been adamant about the importance of maintaining a robust schedule and regular physical activity to strengthen my body’s endurance. It’s crucial for managing my health, particularly with my renal challenges.

Understanding the toll that kidney issues can take on energy levels, my wife is occasionally inclined to let me sleep a bit longer. To circumvent future disruptions, I plan to ask her to notify me when she’s done with her shower. Fortunately, today’s agenda is relatively relaxed, so this minor hiccup in my schedule should be manageable.

Moving forward, it’s clear that balancing my health needs with daily responsibilities will require some adjustments. It’s a manageable challenge that involves better communication and a little more planning. After all, maintaining a steady pace in life’s race can sometimes mean being flexible and adaptive to the unexpected.

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Overcoming Challenges: Running with Lost Thermocontrol

Written 5/30

Hello Dear Readers,

Temperature plays a critical role in my daily life and physical activities due to my compromised ability to regulate body heat following a stroke. Living in Nashville, where temperatures can soar, has posed unique challenges to my running regimen. Initially, the heat negatively impacted my running pace, causing frustration and a temptation to make excuses for skipping my runs.

However, a recent drop in temperature has brought unexpected improvements to my running performance. I ran faster than my target pace yesterday and even set a new personal record for a 5K using a new running app. This clear indication of how much the weather affects my running was both surprising and encouraging.

Aside from my own physical activities, conversations at home often revolve around neuroscience, thanks to my wife’s passion for the subject. She recently reviewed a forthcoming book on the brain, seizing yet another opportunity to delve into a topic she loves. Our discussions often lead back to my own experiences, especially how keeping a running log helps maintain my motivation. Unlike the daily fluctuations, which can be disheartening, looking at monthly trends in my log shows a significant improvement in my speed, which is incredibly rewarding.

My wife’s admiration for my progress is a constant source of support. She marvels at how I’ve gone from being unable to walk ten years ago to completing 10K runs today. Her respect and encouragement play a massive role in my ongoing journey of recovery and perseverance.

Despite never using the hot weather as an excuse to avoid running, I acknowledge the internal battle against the temptation to give in on particularly sweltering days. These moments of weakness, where the voice in my head suggests it’s okay to stop, are challenging. However, staying vigilant and committed to my goals is crucial.

In conclusion, my journey through recovering thermocontrol and maintaining an active lifestyle post-stroke is filled with ups and downs, influenced heavily by external conditions like the weather. Yet, it’s also a testament to personal resilience and the importance of looking at the broader picture rather than getting bogged down by temporary setbacks. As I continue to run, each step is not just about pace or endurance but about overcoming the odds and pushing forward, no matter the temperature.

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Embracing a Quiet Saturday: Our Plans for a Leisurely Weekend

We’ve been gifted a free Saturday for the first time in several weeks. It’s been a hectic period, and this reprieve feels like a gentle exhale. While our usual chores beckon, there are no additional errands, family visits, or specific shopping trips crowding our agenda. The next burst of activity won’t come until the end of June when we venture out to pick blueberries.

In my mind, we were completely obligation-free. However, I quickly discovered that was only my perspective. As I settled into what I thought would be a lazy morning, I wandered into my room only to hear about my wife’s detailed cleaning agenda for the weekend. She’s set her sights on tackling the garage and reorganizing our storage room/pantry in preparation for the bustling month of June. Post-July will be dominated by our annual canning spree, making this the perfect time for such endeavors.

I’ve promised to assist with clearing out and tidying up whatever she deems necessary on this relatively calm Saturday. Aside from the cleaning, she’s also planned to whip up another batch of homemade tofu and has tasked me with bottling the kombucha, which I aim to do right after breakfast.

Though initially, I pictured a day spent lounging; my Saturday will be productive in a different yet equally satisfying way. Engaging in these practical tasks not only prepares us for the busier days ahead but also brings a sense of accomplishment and readiness for whatever the weeks ahead throw our way.

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Weathering the Heat: The Urgency of Air Conditioning in Nashville

Written 5/23/2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Our air conditioner has given up. Let me tell you, not having air conditioning in Nashville is nothing short of a disaster. The timing couldn’t be worse, with the mercury climbing increasingly uncomfortable. Without our usual setting of a modest 73-74°F, the malfunction of our cooling unit is becoming more than a mere inconvenience.

Fortunately, the service company that has helped us in the past is set to visit later today. It will be a relief to regain control over our indoor climate.

Reflecting on past experiences, I recall living in West Lafayette, Indiana, during my high school years, where we didn’t have an air conditioning system. Similarly, when my wife and I spent in Portland, Oregon, we managed without air conditioning. Summers there can be pretty hot, but the weather remains dry, and the nights abruptly bring starkly cooler temperatures. Keeping windows open at night to let in the cool air allows us to maintain a relatively comfortable atmosphere inside our home without needing constant air conditioning.

The scenario in Nashville, however, presents a stark contrast. Here, the combination of heat and humidity during the summer months makes the air feel oppressively hot. It’s astonishing how quickly we’ve adapted to the necessity of having air conditioning during the hot season, considering we’ve been Nashville residents for just over five years.

The swift reliance on air conditioning here speaks volumes about the local climate’s demands. In humid conditions, the actual temperature can feel exponentially hotter, which emphasizes the essential role of a functional air conditioning system in maintaining a livable environment.

Navigating this temporary discomfort has reminded me of the diverse climate adaptations required in different regions. Each place we’ve lived has offered its own unique challenges and solutions when it comes to dealing with heat. While natural ventilation sufficed in the cooler, dry nights of Portland, the humid and oppressive heat of a Nashville summer makes air conditioning not just a luxury but a necessity.

As we await the repair service, the thought of soon being able to adjust the temperature with a simple click of a button brings a sigh of relief. The ability to control one’s living environment is not only a matter of comfort but also of well-being, especially in regions where the weather can pose a significant challenge to both.

As I sit here, feeling the gradual increase in indoor temperature, I’m reminded of the importance of having reliable and efficient home systems and the peace of mind that comes with it. For now, the countdown to the repair technician’s arrival continues, and with it, the anticipation of returning to a cooler, more comfortable home environment.

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Title: Refueling After Yard Work: Balancing Hunger and Health

Written 5/17/2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Yesterday, I managed to complete mowing the remainder of the yard. This endeavor took a considerable amount of time and energy. Afterward, I found myself overwhelmingly hungry. This intense hunger isn’t unusual after three hours of strenuous physical activity. Yet, the quantity of food required to satiate this hunger surprised me. My post-activity meal consisted of a generous bowl of spaghetti, four granola bars, and a cookie. Only then did I feel the edge of my hunger dull—not full, just no longer hungry. I learned this important distinction from my grandparents, who emphasized it as a practical approach to maintaining a healthy weight.

Given the intensity of my hunger yesterday, I half-expected the scales this morning to suggest that my weight had dropped alarmingly low. I intend to maintain my current weight, so I need to be more mindful. The thought made me frown a bit. To my mild surprise, the scale showed that I was only half a pound lighter than the previous day, which was already slightly below the lower end of my desired weight range. I felt better. I can manage that by eating marginally more.

I make it a practice to regularly monitor my weight to ensure I maintain a healthy balance. On days like yesterday, when my physical activity leads to a higher calorie output than intake, it’s natural to see a slight decline in weight. Additionally, we are vigilant about our salt intake due to my high blood pressure issues. Even though salty foods tend to increase water retention, impacting weight measurements, I allow for what I consider an acceptable daily fluctuation—about 10% over or under my target weight.

As I prepare for my morning run, I’m curious how my robust eating from yesterday will influence today’s weight measurement. It’s a delicate balance, managing food intake against physical activity and overall health, and it’s a journey that always keeps me engaged and attentive to my body’s needs.

Navigating through these challenges, I continue to learn more about my body’s responses and how best to maintain a stable and healthy weight while still enjoying the foods I love and the activities that keep me fit. This balancing act is not just about numbers on a scale; it’s about feeling good, staying healthy, and living life to the fullest.

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Managing Callouses: A Family’s Guide to Skin Care Through the Generations

Written 5/16/2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Since I began incorporating regular pull-up exercises into my workout routine, I’ve encountered the persistent issue of callouses. Interestingly, this is a problem my sister experienced years before me during high school as a gymnast. She often faced the painful reality of her hard-earned callouses being torn off due to rigorous training.

Back then, my sister had her own method of managing these nuisances. She diligently applied vitamin E to the raw areas before bandaging them with gauze and tape. So, when I started dealing with similar issues, naturally, I turned to her for advice. In response, she generously gifted me a pair of workout gloves to protect my hands during exercise.

However, the situation has evolved. Recently, I’ve noticed the callouses on my hands have thickened significantly. If they grow unchecked, I risk having them tear painfully, much like my sister used to endure. Fortunately, I have a convenient solution at hand to prevent that from happening.

A few years ago, I gave my wife a multipurpose tool equipped with a grindstone attachment intended initially to smooth out skin callouses, primarily caused by frequent pen use. My wife, an avid writer who spends time journaling, studying, and planning, suffered from callouses during her student years due to constant writing. She finds the tool quite effective.

Though it’s designed for foot callouses, it works equally well for the ones on my hands. I plan to use it judiciously over the next few days, ensuring I only file them down for short periods to avoid overdoing them.

This shared approach within our family helps us manage our skin issues. It strengthens our bond by passing down solutions and tools that address our shared challenges. Whether through high school gymnastics or adult fitness routines, our family has developed a reliable method for callous care that serves us across generations.

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Navigating the Extremes: How My Stroke Altered My Sensitivity to Temperature

Written May 13, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

The aftermath of my stroke brought with it numerous challenges, one of the most pronounced being my diminished ability to tolerate discomfort. This change has manifested most noticeably in my sensitivity to temperature fluctuations—I am perpetually feeling too hot or cold, often simultaneously. At first, this constant state of thermal discomfort was baffling. Can you fathom feeling both overheated and chilled at the exact moment? It seemed absurd.

After much reflection, I’ve realized that my stroke has fundamentally altered what I refer to as my “threshold of discomfort tolerance” for both extremes of temperature. Oddly enough, these sensations often overlap, adding an extra layer of complexity to my daily experiences.

Living in Nashville, where the weather can be pretty erratic—chilly mornings in the low 50Fs swiftly giving way to mild afternoons in the 70Fs—has not made things easier. Following my stroke, my body’s ability to adapt to external temperatures has significantly weakened. This inability to regulate my internal temperature plays a crucial role in influencing my physical activities, particularly running.

Running, like any form of exercise, inherently involves some discomfort, which is essential for gaining strength and improving cardiovascular health. However, every additional element of discomfort is magnified for someone facing a challenge like mine, where the body’s temperature regulation is compromised. Whether it’s excessive heat or cold, strong winds, or high humidity, each condition contributes to discomfort and reduces the threshold available for pushing my running speed.

Since controlling the weather is beyond my reach, I focus on managing what I can—like selecting appropriate running attire to mitigate the impact of these external conditions on my body. I suspect these issues stem from my autonomic nervous system, though I’m unsure how to address this directly. My approach now involves keeping mental notes and exploring potential strategies to cope more effectively with these challenges.

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A Heartwarming Mother’s Day Gathering: Games and Family Joy

Written May 13, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Yesterday turned out to be a remarkably successful day, far surpassing the achievements of the day before. The credit goes largely to setting more realistic goals. The highlight was our visit to my mother’s house for a delightful Mother’s Day celebration with her and my sister. It’s a day that had been in the works for months, planned by my sister and my wife. In fact, she had selected her gift for my mother three months in advance, coordinating the details with my sister to ensure everything went well.

Mother’s Day is a special occasion in our family, not just for celebrating our mothers but also as a time for family bonding over games, a tradition we all cherish. Our family adores gaming together—it’s our way of connecting and creating memories. Whether it’s board games or card games like Bridge when the extended family joins, these playful competitions are a core part of our gatherings.

This time, we played “Shadows Over Camelot,” a board game that’s a favorite at many of our family events. My niece, who has recently begun to join in on the board game fun, chose me as her partner. She was adamant about playing King Arthur, embracing the role with enthusiastic determination. Peeking at my wife’s character choice, I saw she had picked Sir Percival. Despite her claim of never having played this board game before, her excitement was palpable. She has always been enamored with the Arthurian legends, and her eyes lit up as she spoke about the characters. “If I could, I’d choose to be Sir. Lancelot,” she confessed, her fascination with the knight’s tale evident in her voice. The cooperative game was filled with laughter and strategic collaboration, making it all the more enjoyable.

Gatherings like these remind me of the importance of family. Seeing my mother’s joyful expression as she spent time with us reminded me of the simple pleasures in life. The ease of laughter, the shared strategies over game boards, and the warmth of being surrounded by loved ones all came together to create a memorable day.

Such occasions are precious, not just for the fun we have but also for the opportunity they provide to reaffirm our bonds. As we delve into adventures on a game board, we also strengthen our connections with each other, making each game not just a play for victory but a celebration of our family’s unity and love.

Ultimately, what makes days like these genuinely remarkable isn’t just the games we play or the food we enjoy but the company we keep. The joy of being together, sharing stories, and supporting one another is what Mother’s Day—and indeed every family gathering—is all about. We cherish these moments, filled with laughter and companionship, long after the day is over, and they remind us of the enduring power of family ties.

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Navigating Life’s Little Hurdles: A Weekend of Plans and Adjustments

Written May 9, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Sometimes, life throws a wrench into our plans. Just this morning, a big storm rolled in unexpectedly, thwarting my wife’s intention to go for her morning run. Now, I find myself eyeing the gloomy skies with a hint of concern about my own plans for the day—yard maintenance. The thought of the storm leaving the ground too soggy for mowing lingers in my mind. I suppose I’ll discover the truth when I venture outside in a couple of hours.

This weekend promises to be busy. We’re planning another trip to the farmer’s market, a beloved ritual that brightens our Saturday mornings. However, this Sunday is also Mother’s Day, so our schedule is packed with family activities. Given the day’s full itinerary, I’ll likely have to forgo my usual weekly 10k run. It’s a sacrifice for family time, but one I’m willing to make.

The primary allure of this weekend’s market visit is undoubtedly the strawberries—a seasonal treat that both my wife and I eagerly anticipate. However, there remains a small detail I need to confirm with her: the frequency of our visits to the market. Though these trips are temporary breaks from routine, I need to understand how many Saturdays we’ll spend browsing through stalls so I can adjust my running schedule accordingly. Her plans will dictate how I manage my training days.

Speaking of running, I’ve found returning to my pre-vacation pace challenging. The speed isn’t the same despite sticking to my regular running sessions. My wife, ever the voice of reason, reminds me that numerous factors influence running pace. She lists body condition, stress levels, and even external elements like wind or temperature as possible reasons for the fluctuations. “Don’t dwell on the pace of a single day,” she advises, suggesting that I look at the broader trend over time. It’s comforting to hear, especially when I notice that my speed has gradually increased over extended periods. I want to trust her insights and remain hopeful I can hit the pavement later today.

As we navigate these little adjustments and prepare for the bustling weekend ahead, I am reminded of the importance of flexibility and patience. Whether it’s tweaking weekend plans to accommodate family gatherings or adjusting my running schedule to fit new commitments, the ability to adapt is key. Life, much like the weather, is unpredictable. Still, with a bit of planning and a lot of understanding, we can manage just about anything that comes our way.