The week before Christmas was the worst one for me...
Suddenly got so weak and sick—vomiting even after three sips of water!
SO, I learned to lay low and REST and pray.
Because I still wanted to make it to Florida—where I'd booked us already in October—those 7 free nights for points.
And YES, I did make it to drive to Florida on December 26, and I only needed REST, vitamin D from swimming, walking and biking.
Eating healthy and finding my way out of this.
Well, my nephrologist had SHOCKED me on December 19, when he delivered the news that from 28% kidney function in June, now it only was 25%... and I had a heart murmur!
~
While I was sick, I called my nephrologist's office twice but no person on the line!
A nurse on a recording and she never bothered to call me back.
But I started analyzing things on my own and learned a LOT.
This by the way is me on the scale before breakfast, on my B'day and in my B'day suit—haha!
49.7 kg or 109.5 lb.
Just wanted to SEE if it was true what I felt...
Yep, only 66 cm or 26 inches.
Aha—that's WHY my 28 inch low rise jeans from Australia (Last Call by Neiman Marcus) FELL OFF MY HIPS!
Pieter solved it, by adding 3 more holes in his former belt that I used...
Guess the week before Christmas I suffered from Hyperkalemia and for that I've drastically changed my diet.
Hyperkalemia: High Potassium – Your Kidneys and Your Health ←click link for short video.
I knew that I had to limit my potassium intake but since my kidney function went down—it is even more serious to strictly adhere to that!
Hyperkalemia from any cause may produce nausea and vomiting... as published by healthfully.com
Guess that was also why it was affecting my heart, causing palpitations when running up and down the stairs and very much I felt it in Colorado at the high altitude pedestrian bridge...
Pieter said, he's having that problem already very long and that's why he alters his pace and needs frequent rests.
Weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness all have been felt.
Sure, as being advised by the Mayo Clinic—I knew already those 3 points:
Avoid products with added salt.
Choose lower potassium foods.
Limit the amount of protein you eat.
The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that as potassium increases, people are likely to notice muscle aches and cramps, fatigue, weakness, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea...
Loss of appetite I've never had and I sure hope not any decreased mental sharpness...!
All the REST—YES except swelling of feet and ankles.
Such lists are helpful in knowing what to avoid!
No more coffee...!
CHOCOLATES! Good grief... and even salt substitutes!
Sure milk I have not taken for quite a while, only Trader Joe's soy milk as that has the LOWEST percentage of sugar—another thing to watch being diabetes type 2.
With fruits I'm fine—still a lot left to enjoy!
But I'm feeling a LOT BETTER since I've altered my diet.
Not for losing weight but purely to SURVIVE just a little longer...
Maybe this will be helpful for others as well.
My singing with the choir goes better—as I have more breath!
AND on February 1st my housekeeper started and that is super as now I find more time for doing the laundry, the shopping, the cooking + biking!
There is hope and with lots of prayers we have made it this far and even together in a blissful relationship.
May God grant us some more time together—so grateful for everything we lived through and for the fond memories and many friends all over the world!
Related link:
{Cashmere Words of Wisdom & Update} | previous post shortly after Mom died from Chronic Kidney Disease—she had almost 7 years of dialysis...
Oh my! All the foods to avoid are things I eat daily. And people already ask me the question "what do you eat" when they hear I am plant-based. Glad to hear you are doing much better. I think you and Pieter are very good at making the changes needed and managing your lifestyle in a way that is conducive to maintaining health and happiness. When I had the heart arrhythmia for several weeks in 2021 the doctor told me to reduce stress, caffeine and to eat bananas and kiwi even though all my numbers checked out perfectly fine. The symptoms listed above could be related to many different causes so it's not always easy to figure out exactly what's best -- but definitely we have to listen to our bodies and intuition. And take our health into our own hands when the doctor's office isn't answering calls. Take care and enjoy your bike rides.
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteYes, both of us have made rigorous decisions throughout our lives and we stick to it. You have to have that Discipline! You learned also to look out for yourself and to drastically change certain things. Coffee for me is out but I sure enjoyed having it. Listening to our bodies and following intuition is the best as nobody else is going to do it for you!
Hugs,
Mariette
Quanto sei magro!Spera che ora tu stia bene.Auguri per la tua salute.
ReplyDeleteCara Olga,
DeleteNo, non sono magra, ma sono sempre stata bella da costruire, mai grossolana. Mi sento molto meglio, quindi vai avanti.
Abbracci,
Mariette
I am praying for yours and Pieter's good health.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThank you and you can omit the 'good' as just health will do for keeping us alive 😏
Hugs,
Mariette
Mariette, I'm really glad you're doing better. I applaud you for doing research and changing your diet. ♥
ReplyDeleteMy mom's kidney function is down to 15.5% (actually up slightly from her previous test). She does NOT bother to make any diet/lifestyle changes. However, she has a host of other serious health issues and weighs 78 pounds or less now, so perhaps she thinks it's not worth it. She could be right, she has endured stoically in severe chronic pain for many years. (Five discs in her back have disintegrated, among other issues.) She has declined dialysis, btw, as the "cost" to it outweighs the benefit in her case. (She's 82 now.)
Anyway, I hope YOU have many more years ahead with Pieter! You have a terrific mindset, are active and proactive, and are doing all that you can.
Dearest Kim,
DeleteAt the moment feeling a lot better and I hope I can stabilize myself a bit.
Your Mom is certainly in the end–stage and I too don't want dialysis as it is only prolonging your life and you have no freedom whatsoever. Admired Mom doing that but I will not.
Your Mom's weight shows she's very frail. Life is not always easy and sure not the final stage for so many suffering any chronic illness.
Prayers is all that can support her and the rest is up to our Big Physician...
Hugs,
Mariette
Praying for you and Pieter, Mariette. Stay healthy!
ReplyDeleteDearest Martha Jane
DeleteThank you and we try very hard to delay our decline...
Hugs,
Mariette
Espero que tenga mejoría, con un buen tratamiento.
ReplyDeleteBesos.
Querida Antónia,
DeleteMejorar no es posible, pero si no me deterioro demasiado rápido!
Abrazos,
Mariette
Oh Mariette, I had no idea the severity. I knew you had to eat a restrictive diet due to your kidney disease. I will keep you in my prayers. At least you are starting to feel some improvement due to a diet change. That's good. For the last few days I have been having stomach issues. I have GERD and I no longer have a gallbladder - but have been having some awful stomach cramping. Yesterday I threw up. So my son, the dietician suggested more fiber and to go at it slowly. I don't know what is going on - I'll get it checked out.
ReplyDeleteYou take care and know I am praying for your health daily.
Dearest Debby,
DeleteWell, I am very happy the way I am feeling now! This drastic diet change has worked miracles so far and I hope I can stretch my remaining time. Thanks for your prayers—welcome offer as that is something that really helps.
It sounds though that you as well need my prayers for feeling well again.
Wishing you to feel well soon!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette, I'm so sorry that you are going through all of this. My dear mom had kidney failure, and we all took care of her. It looks like you have a lot of information regarding your symptoms. I do hope you get the right care and treatment for what you are going through. Sending you comfort and love this Friday afternoon.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
**My friend's blog, Afternoon Coffee and Evening Tea is on my side bar (first one). I have a hard time adding links on my blog, but I probably should learn to do that. ; )
Dearest Sheri,
DeleteSounds like both our Mom's lived through the same problems... My Mom passed away on January 27, 2015 after almost 7 years of dialysis. She was a trooper!
Found your friend's blog and I've sent you an email with little tutorial. You can still add it and it is real easy!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette! Happy to stop by and say hello! I am so sorry to read of your struggles with high potassium, and having to be so careful what you eat. It is good to have the information available though about how to help your body the best you can. You will be in prayers that all will continue to go well! Blessings and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteDearest Marilyn,
DeleteThank you for your visit and I've been first to your blog.
Yes, finding healthy food to eat is complicated and eating out is out of question! At least for the fast food varieties.
Trying hard to live as healthy as possible and of course with the help of prayers!
Hugs,
Mariette
I am praying and have been praying for you and Pieter ever since I learned about your health issues.
ReplyDeleteSending you lots of hugs, prayers and positive vibes, dearest Mariette.
Dearest Veronica,
DeleteYes and you have been quite a support during my final trip back to The Netherlands!
That is very much appreciated and sending you lots of hugs for doing so, from both of us.
Mariette and Pieter
I read every word and see everything that you have shown us you are going through. It requires extreme care and discipline. I know you have that discipline. If I don't know anything else, I know that to be true.
ReplyDelete.
Dearest Katie Isabella,
DeleteThank you and yes when having no other choice—the extreme discipline and care kicks in.
Hugs,
Mariette
Despite your dietary restrictions, it is very good to be aware of choosing foods according to your physical contribution. That's the only way to stay healthy.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Dearest Christina,
DeleteAt least by living with an even more strict diet—I feel a lot better and my nasty killer cramps at night have vanished, so now I know what caused them.
Trying hard to slow the kidney decline down—that is all I can and WILL do.
Hugs,
Mariette