31 Days of PKD Challenges: #31

Update your status on Facebook and Twitter to let your friends and followers know you just completed 31 Days of PKD Challenges for National Kidney Month! Thank you for helping us raise PKD awareness!

DONE!!

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #30

We’re celebrating our 30th anniversary this year! Who else is celebrating a 30th? Whether it’s a birthday, wedding or transplant anniversary - share your milestone with us!

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #29

Do you or someone you know have an upcoming kidney transplant? 
Visit kidneylink.org to learn the basics of kidney transplantation and the kidney donation process.

Menu~03/28/2013

green smoothie (blueberries,strawberries,pear and spinach with water)
coffee afterwards
pepperette for snack
lunch turkey sammich (avocado, havarti, turkey, S&P, tomato and bit of mayo)
BAD supper: McDonald's (I didn't want but Gibby did...what can I say...he's just a kid)
2 big herbal teas today
another turkey sammich (same)
and another tea and I am done for today

BAD menu :( (tho the turkey sammiches were good)...I love 'em with avocado

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #28

Double or even triple the impact of your gift to the PKD Foundation! Find out if your employer sponsors an employee matching gift program. Learn more at pkdcure.org/matching-gifts.

Menu

Tying to get back on track.

Slept late so had coffee and a granola bar (mini)-100 calories
and then an apple for snack
at lunch just a couple of pepperettes and an herbal tea
for supper we had Applewood Smoked Salmon with Herbs, rice and a southwestern ranch salad.
for my evening snack I will eat some more fruit...maybe a couple of cuties (clementines)
and will make myself a BIG tea...

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #27

Learn about our Accelerating Treatments to Patients (ATP) initiative, aimed at speeding up development of treatments that could slow or stop progression of PKD
Details: pkdcure.org/research/accelerating-treatments-to-patients.

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #26

PKD Challenge Day 26: Write to your local congressman and ask for their support of PKD! You can find tips on contacting your congressman at www.pkdcure.org/advocate/advocacy-toolbox.

Bonus: Become a PKD Champion and join us at our 6th Annual United on the Hill. Learn more at www.pkdcure.org/united-on-the-hill.

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #25

Support finding treatments and a cure for PKD by giving $10 through our text-to-donate program. 
All you have to do is text PKDCURE to 20222

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #24

Visit the youtube page and watch a video to educate yourself.
Youtube

31 Days of PKD challenges: #23

Join a local PKD chapter and share your passion to end this disease.
Find a local chapter.

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #22

Check out the latest issue of PKD progress magazine.
Celebrating 30 years of PKD research.
Read HERE

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #21

Check out this blog: PKD Will Not Beat Me

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #20

It is advisable for PKD patients to limit their caffeine.
Try to go caffeine free today....oops already had my morning coffee...will try tomorrow! ;)

31 Days of PKD challenges: #19

Join the 2013 Kidney Month Campaign.
Make your donation: http://pkdcure.org/donate/2013-kidney-month

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #18

Tweet your fave celebrity and ask for support to end PKD.
I tweeted Queen Latifah! ;)...and LLCoolJ :)

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #17

Looking to get ridof a car? Donate it and proceeds go to PKD Foundation.
Read More Here: Vehicle Donation

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #16

Did you know that an average kidney is the size of a human fist, but the average polycystic kidney can get as big as a NFL football and can weigh between 20 to 30 pounds?

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #15

Oops I missed yesterday!
Join the  cause and Walk for PKD!

Clinic

Ok...everybody is happy...sugars great, BP good, lost 10 pounds.
Appt in April to have education session about PD and HEMO and make the decision which is more appropriate for me. Doing very well right now though and hopeful can keep it up for awhile.
Saw Dr. Lam today...haven't seen him for awhile...still a joker lol but he's happy with all my levels. Go back in June...in meantime keep up the good work! ;)
Yayyyyyyyyy! RELIEF!

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #14

Happy World Kidney Day!
If you have one wear a PKD tshirt today and educate someone who doesn't know what it is.
I don't actually own one but I have a graphic to bog post:

Purchase @

Zazzle

Other designs @

Cafepress

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #13

Have you made a Dr.appointment lately or had a visit? (Make one today!)
Why YES,I have!
Saw Dr. MacFadyen yesterday (diabetic Dr.)
and have a clinic visit also tomorrow! Busy health week!!

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #12

Be part of finding a treatment for PKD by participating in clinical trials.
Read more: http://www.pkdcure.org/research/clinical-trials/awareness

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #11

PKD patients should have blood pressure lower that 130/80.
Mine today was 126/79 pulse 77

Get yours checked in the machine at the local pharmacy!

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #10

Make a kidney friendly recipe.
I've made this salad before both for myself and for friends at a summer party and it was easy, delicious and well received! Try it! ;)
Chicken Fruit Salad - Kidney-Friendly Recipes - DaVita

Check out the blog: PKD Health Notes for more recipes!

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #9

Learn about ARPKD.
http://www.pkdcure.org/learn/arpkd

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #8

‎"31 Days of PKD Challenges #8: Run for PKD
http://www.pkdcure.org/events/run-for-pkd"

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #7

‎"31 Days of PKD challenges #7: Organ Donation
Go to: http://donatelife.net/ or in Canada: http://www.kidney.ca/Page.aspx?pid=372
and look into it."

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #5

PKD Challenge Day 5: If you’re on Twitter, tweet about PKD today and help us make it a trending topic! Don’t forget to use #endPKD in your tweets.

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #4

PKD Challenge Day 4: People with PKD are encouraged to drink lots of water - at least 64 ounces a day! Challenge yourself to drink the full 64 ounces today.

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #3

PKD Challenge Day 3: Sign up for PKDnews
http://pkdcure.org/pkdnews

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #2

PKD Challenge Day 2: Use our special Kidney Month photos as your Facebook and Twitter cover photos and profile pictures. Bonus: Keep them up all month long to raise PKD awareness!

You can find all the photos at www.pkdcure.org/31PKDchallenges

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #1

It's National Kidney Month - which means it's the first day of our 2nd Annual 31 Days of PKD Challenges!

PKD Challenge Day 1: GET EDUCATED! Our website offers great educational resources. Learn everything you need to know about polycystic kidney disease atwww.pkdcure.org/learn.

31 Days of PKD Challenges: #6 and BONUS: My Story

31 Days of PKD challenges #6: Educate someone.

Quick version of my story for PKD challenge.

Check out: http://www.pkdcure.org/hope

Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary disease where cysts grow on your kidneys and cause damage and eventually kidney failure.

From the time I was tested at 21 I already had too many cysts for them to count in varying sizes on BOTH kidneys. I have spent a lifetime KNOWING eventually the shit would hit the fan and things would be not so good. Kidney failure, dialysis, eventual death (early I mean). I've made peace with not getting OLD. I DO try to do the things I should and am told to do to prolong the health of my kidneys and unfortunately I am not so good at some of them. There are MANY factors involved in it and what's left behind is the knowledge and understanding that I do the BEST I can with who I am, where I am and what I've got. I think that's all a person can do. The point is I FIGHT. In my own way, using my own strengths. It is a challenge but it is NOT over till the fat lady sings...and I AIN'T singing!! LOL

I want to get through it with grace and dignity. That is all.

This is a disease that runs in families. My grandmother had it and also her brothers. My father had it and two of his brothers. I hope that my children will be lucky enough to never have to deal with it but the older two are aware and the younger one has to live through it with me so he will see things I'd rather he didn't but we will have to talk about it if and when he wants to know. I would rather shelter him from the knowledge that it could happen to him so that he can build a life without a shadow hanging over his head. The older two are healthy and active and both work hard to stay that way so I HOPE and cross my fingers it will be enough.

IF I had known more or understood more when I was younger perhaps I would have felt different, been different, done different but it is water under the bridge now. I can't go backwards. I can't change yesterday. All I can do is work hard today and hope for tomorrow.

This is the hand I was dealt. So I do my best to handle it.

For more detailed information: Wikipedia

FB Status Yesterday

I am happy when I'm going along doing my thing...being mindful of my yes/no's and not going too far offside...sugar's good, BP good, mentally ok, feeling not too bad, not too tired, no gout flare ups (pain) for ages, emotions under control...NO stress at the moment, can focus on some things, AND hope for tomorrow...for a little wee bit of time I can delude myself that I am "normal"...unfortunately it is more than probable that the sicko lunatic and the disease living inside of me will wrestle for control and WIN...they battle me a lot. I WANT to be positive. I want to move forward. I want to enjoy the parts of my life that I CAN but, MOST of all things I just want to LIVE my life with the most dignity possible in the midst of insanity, illness and even my own weakness and negative attitude. I AM learning and growing and I don't mind saying that it is DAMN hard some days...my point is simply to share the expression of ONE "sick" person's journey so you can possibly understand...a LOT of what is happening to me is INSIDE and invisible to you. That doesn't mean it doesn't matter. If YOU are aware of someone or are related to someone going through such a journey...take one small moment of your time to let them know they are not alone or forgotten. They don't want you to FIX them...not all of them anyway...they just want to know you are there and that you do care. It can shine a light into the darkness. You have NO idea how bright that little light shining can be. (I am NOT asking for this myself...I am using MY words to share and hopefully inspire someone...anyone to open their eyes for someone else's NEED...I have words...many people do NOT.) ON my UP days I HAVE to shine a light. This is MY candle...please share the flame. ~KDB

Shine your OWN light into the darkness and pay it forward. xo

Bracelet ~02/28/2013

Received my medic alert bracelet FINALLY...

was a bit big (apparently my boy wrists have shrunk a bit)...

but I fixed it and added a little angel to the dangle part! ;)