Tag: chronic kidney disease

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A Day of Health Priorities: Balancing Life with Kidney Care

Written November 4, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Today was one of those irregular days. I had an appointment with my nephrologist later this morning. On such days, I adjust my morning routine around the doctor’s appointment. The doctor’s appointment was an absolute priority for me as I have a kidney issue. So, I had to cram my morning routine elements into a smaller amount of time than usual. 

I create a mental list of to-do tasks each morning. This is the time I had to tweak my schedule for a day like this.  I wanted to get my run still before I went, so I didn’t have extra time to spare. 

My schedule was packed, but I managed to finish my run and shower before getting ready to go. I even got there a little earlier than the requested 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment and had to wait nearly an hour before I saw my doctor. 

He reported that the labs run on the blood I submitted last week revealed an uptick in kidney function, so I have more than fully recovered from the summer’s kidney lab report. We calculate our food intake carefully every day. My wife selects many and sorts out all the ingredients for the week we eat every week so we don’t accidentally overeat something wrong for my kidney. I’ve also been drinking enough water not to overstress my kidneys. 

Being healthy means we have to commit. Our eating habits are much more restricted because I have many food restrictions. I wish I had been mindful of my lifestyle way before I had the health problems. However, what happened has already happened. I want to make my future right. Being healthy is a life-long journey. Of course, I have my day when I get the temptation of slacking with my routines. On a day like that, I try to remember the time I had a lot of problems recovering from a brain stroke. 

I know I was fortunate. I had family who took care of me when I was in trouble. I managed to recover my kidney conditions from stage 5 to stage 3. So, I will keep my commitment to retaining my kidney function.

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I Improved My Kidney From Stage 5 to Stage 3

Written on July 7, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Reflecting on the strategies my wife and I implemented to improve my kidney health, I recalled a piece of simple yet profound advice: “If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” For my kidney health, this meant addressing the issues causing harm. My primary problem was high blood pressure. A nephrologist explained its impact on kidneys by comparing it to spraying water through a paper filter at high pressure, which can tear the paper. Although kidney filtration involves more chemical processes, the tissues involved are delicate.

The hole was my blood pressure in my case. To manage my condition, we made some changes to my medications, selecting ones less harsh on my kidneys and organizing them in a medication box to ensure I wouldn’t forget a dose.

Our approach was threefold: medication, diet, and exercise. Regularly monitoring my blood pressure helped us evaluate the effectiveness of these methods and make necessary adjustments.

We worked with our doctor to adjust some of the medication I was taking after the brain stroke. Some of the medication I was taking was invasive to my kidney. 

Dietary adjustments were crucial. My wife, who usually uses minimal salt, helped reduce our sodium intake further. We also cut down on store-bought processed foods, opting for homemade meals. I needed to carefully monitor my intake of proteins and phosphorus, frequently consulting food lists to avoid them. Cheese and chocolate, which I love a lot, are also included. It is not that I cannot eat them completely, but I have to be mindful about eating them. Although this required some adjustments, it was more manageable than anticipated.

Exercise also played a significant role. After experiencing a brain stroke, my wife, a runner, encouraged me to take up running. She had recommended me before, but this time, she was very adamant about it. She loves digging into neuroscience books way before my stroke. She thought the key was some cardio that used my legs. This was in 2016.

Starting with just over a mile, I gradually increased my distance. We went to pick up a pair of good Nike running shoes that year. That was my first serious pair of running shoes. My wife said it was like a ritual. Surprisingly, the pair of good running shoes motivated me. I was surprised to find out how much shoes impact your running. I gradually increased my running, and now I can run 10km without problems. In the beginning, I did not initially enjoy running, but now I enjoy running. I grew to appreciate it as it aided my brain’s recovery.

When I suffered the brain stroke, I was diagnosed with stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease, indicating severe damage with almost no kidney function remaining, necessitating my addition to the transplant list and starting peritoneal dialysis. However, nearly a decade later, with persistent efforts and lifestyle changes, my condition has improved to stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease, and I am no longer on the transplant list. This journey has taught me that kidney health can be restored with dedication.