Do you realize how much salt is in your food?

A LOT!!! Just for fun try finding something in your pantry that isn't loaded with salt. I think this is going to be harder than I thought. At first when the doctor said to avoid salt/sodium I just nodded my head and thought "okay great...no more crackers and chips, reduce my cheese intake, okay...I get it." No problem, right?

Then today I had a bit of trouble finding food to eat for lunch. Normally I would have a weight watchers meal or a diet bagel, toasted with ham and cheese, v-8 or low cal yogurt and carrots or apple...most of these are now off limits... To the pantry I go. Soup...no, risotto...no, sandwich...without cheese and cold cuts, what's the point? Weight watchers frozen meals...oh, my no...salt, salt, salt. I ended up making a rolled whole wheat tortilla with a small amount of peanut butter and dried cranberries. Not filling, so I am in the kitchen again looking for food. Carrots, yes, banana bread...kind of okay, and lots and lots of water!

All day I have been thinking about how I love to cook and how that will all change...or at least how I will be cooking will change. I was also thinking about all the salty foods I have eaten lately...Thanksgiving (gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole), Chinese food (soy sauce, fried rice), Olive Garden (soup and bread sticks) even some salads with the dressings and sunflower seeds.

I'm not really even in mourning about reducing my dairy (yet) because I am so overwhelmed by checking the labels for sodium. I spoke with my Nephrologist on the phone today and he told me my blood work came back fine (checking for abnormal parathyroid). I asked to be referred to a dietitian to help sort this all out and he was going to get back to me. Until then, I feel like I am just not sure what is really "safe" to eat. This frustration is all very much compounded by my on-going quest to "eat right" and loose weight.

Really it all boils down to this...I'm going to have to make most of my food from scratch. Packaged food is made up of so much chemical garbage and TONS of sodium... and I'm going to have to eat more fruits and veggies for crunchy snacks instead of crackers or popcorn.

Sorry I am rambling on tonight...this was mostly intended to be therapeutic for me. Kudos to you if you have actually read this whole mess!!!

Cut the Cheese!

Today I had an appointment near Good Sam. Hospital (NW Portland) at 4 pm to meet my Nephrologist. My mom drove me there early and we spent an hour and a half window shopping on NW 23rd beforehand. After warming up with a peppermint mocha at Starbucks, we walked back to the medical office (which was way more complicated to find than all my other doctor's offices). My doctor was really easy to talk to and explained things really well. From what I understand, it seems my right kidney has a problem eliminating waste from acidic foods which in turn causes extra calcium to be released in an effort for my body to try to regulate it's ph. This extra calcium, when combined with another element (maybe phosphorus)...forms kidney stones. He said I am lucky because it can be resolved by changing my diet...I need to increase the water I drink, and decrease my salt and dairy intake. (AKA cut the cheese). In theory this seemed like this wouldn't be hard to do, but then I came home and looked at all the food we have that contain these things...soup, rice cakes, crackers, v-8 juice, cheese, salad dressing and pretty much all processed food (which I try to limit, but lately has crept back into my pantry). So it looks like I am left with fruit, veggies and rice!!! (LOL!) I need to increase my intake of acidic foods (citrus, tomatoes, etc) in an effort to force my kidneys to flush out the acid by overwhelming the system with it. He recommended I have the juice of 2 lemons daily in my water.

I know there are serious health benefits to all these modifications regardless of my kidney issues, so I am looking forward to making my body healthy...but it will be challenging planning meals until I get the hang of these changes...especially reducing cheese, my comfort food!

Surgery II Update

Everything went as planned yesterday. My mom drove me to the hospital and stayed with me until we left sometime after 8 pm. Originally she was going to watch the kids, but Hayden was coughing and has a runny nose, so Dan stayed with them and was able to get some work done too. I suggested he take them to the matinee to watch "Evan Almighty"...so at least that killed some time.

Anyway, I have yet to talk to my doctor, but she came in and told my mom that she removed all the fragments she could see...and she also spotted some new stones which she removed. When I heard there were new stones I was kind of frustrated. This means (in my non-medically trained mind) that I am probably going to continue to have problems with kidney stones. My doctor recommended that I see a kidney specialist, so I will be eager to find out what can be done from here on out.

While in recovery, they gave me some anti-nausea medicine to counter the effects of the anesthetic. The nurse gave me 1/10 the normal dosage and within 10 minutes I was asleep. I can't imagine how tired I would be if I had the full dose. After a nap, I was discharged and my mom drove me home. It was a nice ride home with her heated seats. I had a hard time keeping my eyes open, so finally I just closed them and took another nap.

Once we got home I was pretty hungry, so I dished up some chicken and veggies for my mom and I that I had made in the crock pot for Dan and the kids to eat for dinner. It was so good, I wanted to keep eating, but didn't want to repeat my mistake last time where I ended up throwing everything back up.

This morning I feel pretty good considering. I am really tired, but not in much pain. I am still taking Vicoden to help with the discomfort of the new stent. I should have this stent removed in 5-10 days. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers through this whole mess...Well, my Vicoden is kicking in now, so I'm gonna go before the "fog" sets in too much!

Kidney Update

Here's the scoop: My original surgery was October 2nd. Since then I have had 2 sets of X rays done to determine if there were any stone fragments remaining inside of me. The first set of films showed that I had a small cluster still in my kidney and another bunch of stone fragments all lined up on top of one another along my ureter. My doctor gave me some Flomax (which is normally for prostate patients) to help relax the ureter in hopes that the stones would move.

Fast forward to Monday when I went in for my second x ray. Nothing had changed. Doctor Kim said I could wait another 10 days, do another x ray and see if the stones, given a bit more time would take care of themselves. She also said I could have another surgery and she could remove them with the scope. I decided to make a follow up appointment in 10 days, so I left the doctor's office with my appointment card and my stent still in place. Totally bummed, I went to Taco Bell for some comfort food then drove to my parents to pick up the boys. By the time I got there I had talked myself in to having the surgery instead.

Yesterday I called the Urology Clinic back to find out how soon I could get the surgery scheduled. She gave me a few dates that were a few weeks out, but said she would get back to me after she talked with the doctor. Well, as it turns out there was a cancellation and I got scheduled for today at 2 pm. The actual surgery is at 4 and I should be ready to go around 6 pm if all goes as planned.

Although I am not really looking forward to the next couple of days, I am really looking forward to getting on with my life again. The whole month of October has been in a fog with complete dependence on Vicoden for pain relief.

I just ate my last bit of food for the next 8 or 9 hours...an egg and toast with a protein bar to hopefully keep my stomach from growling too much this afternoon. I tried to get my wedding ring off this morning, but it is stuck again. I gained back 2-3 lbs since the first surgery earlier this month and it must all be in my ring finger, cause it's stuck.

I guess that's about it. I am going to take Zander to school now...I'll update when I can.

Ugggh! Just some ramblings from a lonely SAHM who is bloging under the influence!

Well, I took a turn for the worse this weekend. Although my stent is placed well, it still aggravates as I found out when I stopped taking my pain pills Friday. By Saturday afternoon I was beside myself. Saturday night I was doubled over in pain when it dawned on me to take a vicodin — du-uuh! It seemed to take way too long to kick in, but when it finally did I was able to sleep. I'm also on another medication to ease the bladder spasms that are caused by the stent...these pills turn my pee bright orange. There is a warning on the label that says "may permanently discolor contact lenses." How bizarre is that!

At any rate, I am faithfully taking my pills now, but am feeling like such a slug. Vicodin makes me a tad bit sleepy, but not enough to doze off and get some rest – just enough to not feel like doing anything...I'm totally lethargic and feel like my energy is zapped. It's weird, because in my mind I want to do everything, but I just don't have the umph. On top of that the pain meds make me constipated.

And if that weren't enough fun, my asthma is acting up and I am coughing a lot and very wheezy. Just about the only thing I have gotten done all week is a few loads of dishes, a load of laundry, cleaned a few toilets and I've been trying to keep up with all the leaves that are falling in the pool. My house is a total disaster. I'm really going crazy as I can't drive and have only been out twice since last Tuesday. I would love to just sit down and do something creative, but it's hard to focus.

I have collected some kidney stone fragments which I will mail in to the lab in hopes of finding a way to avoid getting them in the future. This Friday, I have an x-ray and appointment to see the urologist. If all looks clear, I may get the stent out, but chances are good that it will stay in a while longer.

Natalie just got home from school and I am still in my pj's. Other than that I'm doing fine!!!

Surgery Update

Let's start on Monday. Monday was my last ditch effort to get things done before my surgery. I had plans to tidy up the kitchen etc. while the kids were in school, but that didn't happen.

As I was getting Natalie ready for school, she was complaining that her eyes were itching. I offered to put eye drops in, but she wasn't interested and we had to get out the door, so we left. I went into the school office to check in and Natalie walked to her class. By the time I got to her class, her teacher was writing a note for Natalie to go to the nurse's office because her eyes were very red and swollen. They thought it could be conjunctivitis/pink eye. The school nurse suggested taking her to the doctor. So, I checked her back out of school, made an appointment for Natalie, drove Zander to preschool and off we went in to town. The doctor thought since her eyes weren't producing any goopy stuff that it wasn't bacterial conjunctivitis and therefore not contagious. The nurses washed her eyes out with saline and gave her some medicated drops to use once a day. I drove Natalie back to school and was so relieved that it wasn't pink eye...after all she had school pictures the next day and I had planned for her to ride the bus home with Sarah where she would play while I was in the hospital.

After Natalie got home from school we went to get hair cuts. I planned to get them the day before pictures so I asked the stylist to give Natalie a headband braid so I didn't have to worry about styling her hair in the morning. Zander got his hair cut too as his pictures are today (Wednesday). Next it was off to the store to get some last minute things. By the time we got home it was time for the kids to go to bed. Fortunately, we stopped off and had a bite to eat while we were out.

Tuesday morning, the day of my surgery...I showered and got Natalie ready for her pictures, then Dan drove her to Sarah's house as my friend Debbie offered to take her to school so we could then drive the boys to Chris and Anne's house to play with Isaac. (Thanks guys!!!)

I knew we were running late, so I phoned the hospital, but by the time we got on to the freeway we hit "traffic" going a mere 5 mph, so I phoned again and let them know. As it turns out, there was a log truck stalled out in one lane, then further down there was an accident.

We finally made it to the hospital and got checked in when they told us we needed to pay the balance of our insurance deductible...only $3,000!!! The lady at the desk offered to have this billed to us, so we didn't have to cough up that much all at once. Yikes!

Once I got checked into my "stall," I got into my gown and the nurses asked me a bunch of health related questions. It was actually odd because when I called to pre-register they asked the same questions...then the hospital called and asked me the same questions again. Once at the hospital, the attending nurse asked me again, then the anesthesiologist asked me. Next time I go in I am going to wear I sign that says "NO, I am not allergic to anything!"

Here I am in the second photo NOT looking when the nurse is inserting the IV!

Here I am removing my ring...All summer long I had been a little anxious about this surgery because I knew they wanted me to remove all my jewelry. Well, I couldn't get my wedding ring off to save my life and I didn't want it to be cut off. So when school started up I began doing Weight Watchers on my own and I managed to lose 8 lbs...just enough to get my ring off!!!

Before surgery Dr. Kim came in to explain everything. Then the anesthesiologist gave me some happy juice (versed) and I was wheeled into the operating area. The last thing I remember was them saying "this is just an oxygen mask." I remember breathing in, hearing them talk about how the mask smells like vanilla which is better than it used to smell...then the next thing I know... I am in recovery!

I woke up out of surgery pretty fast. Not like the other times when I could hardly keep my eyes open as they were giving me discharge instructions. This photo is me after the surgery, drinking water, trying to keep hydrated. They gave me some crackers so I could take my percocet, but my mouth was so dry from the anesthetic that I couldn't swallow the crackers without lots of water...it was pretty weird.

After awhile the nurse wanted me to try and use the bathroom. This is the part that I was dreading. Last time, with the stent in, it hurt so bad that I couldn't go without extreme pain, so I stayed the night so they could manage my pain better. This time however...no problem! Thanks to all of you for your prayers.

..and here I am being wheeled out to the car.

I am feeling pretty good over all. Just a little bit tired and sore. I have a huge 4" bruise on my back where the shock waves were aimed, but all in all, thanks to my pain meds, I'm doing fine!
Thanks to Anne and Debbie for your help with our kiddos (and with dinner too!!! Yummy!)

Surgery Countdown: One Week

I can hardly believe that my kidney stone surgery is next Tuesday. Please keep me in your prayers as I am NOT looking forward to this one. Also, it's on the same day as Natalie's school pictures and Zander's pictures are the day after...can I plan these things or what?

Updating

So here's the scoop...

My CT scan was cool to see. How often do you get to see the inside of yourself...However on a not so flattering note I also got to see all my flubber. Oh, baby, there's nothing like technology to make a girl hit the gym! Before seeing the CT scans I had been working out a bit, but last night I had extra motivation!!! I'm actually working out (1.5 -2 hours) 4 to 5 times a week, and have seen some great results...lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks. Now who can be down with results like that?

Anyway, I won't focus on numbers right now because one day I will get on the scale and "the numbers" will inadvertently ruin my whole day and then I will proceed to sabotage my success! A pattern that I am very good at repeating. Amazing how that works.


At any rate, after looking at my CT scans and comparing them with the 2 xrays, my urologist is recommending that I undergo Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) which uses sound waves (also called shock waves) to break a kidney stone into small pieces that can more easily travel through the urinary tract and pass from the body.
Note: the above diagram shows a stone in the ureter. This is where they usually are when they cause excruciating pain. Mine is high up in the right kidney and is too big to fit into the ureter.


I am totally dreading this procedure due to the stent that will be in place afterwards. This sucker is so irritating, so exercise as I know it will be out of the picture for a while...well anything that involves walking fast or using my legs!!! I have had my fair share of experience with stents (once on vacation) and the cramping and bloody urine that goes with it make me want to postpone the procedure for as long as possible. Another reason I want to wait is I am really on a roll in the gym and I would hate to stop now. This is why I am so relieved to learn that I have a 3 month window to have the ESWL done! Whew!!! So, I am planning to go in once school starts again.

Please pray that my new urologist is good at putting stents in! Seriously!!!

In other news, my dad had another follow up with the urologist that performed his prostate cancer surgery. Good news! His PSA levels are continuing to drop. Although they are still not where they should be, they are headed in the right direction. Continued prayer is very much appreciated.

On a lighter note, I am getting a new camera! I am so excited!!! You can see it here.