March 2011

World Kidney Day has passed us once again. The aim has been to alert people to “protect their kidneys”. Of course all of us, as patients with some degree of kidney disease, understand that, but don’t you agree that it’s helpful to others if we can in some large or small way help to promote the issues?

I think that assisting any kidney charity in any way also helps the volunteer themselves. It gives one a purpose, it might raise the charity’s profile, it might raise funds for the charity and most importantly it feels good helping, giving some time and making an effort for others.

People can help to raise the profile or raise money in lots of innovative ways and it can so often be done within your own local community. Say a collecting tin, a raffle at an event, a stall with hand made items, a fun run - there are loads of ways to help and in turn it offers a chance to raise self-esteem, improve motivation and help feel part of something. Spring is coming - spring forward to help others

January 2011

A New Year and for me a new start with a new kidney – wow what a Christmas present !

I haven’t been updating my blog for a few months due to the fact of being given such a gift from my wonderful, generous and precious son Matt. You may have seen on the home page of this website that we were both interviewed by Fi Glover for her Christmas edition of Radio 4 ‘Saturday Live’ programme – I hope you’ll find it interesting and amusing Listen Here.

After undergoing many tests we went forward with the transplant on 29^th September 2010 so only just 3 months ago – we are both doing extremely well and are now falling back into our normal routine again – 2011 is really a new start.

This is just a brief résumé but I propose to tell you a bit more about the journey in the next few blogs, hope you’ll care to join me.

Happy New Year to everyone.

June 2010

My trip to the West Country went well, but was not uneventful. We visited the National Trust Castle Drogo on Dartmoor and the helpful volunteers there found me a comfortable room to do my dialysis in.  Maybe because I was out of my routine an unfortunate brush of the open tube from the drain bag occurred, resulting in possible contamination. I telephoned my home unit who gave me the number of the nearest unit, so off I went. They were really helpful and promptly changed the line and said it was no trouble at all - better safe than sorry. So if this happens to you when you’re away take heart that it can be dealt with quite quickly and easily.

May 2010 - Getting ready to go to Cornwall

Whilst the weather’s been mixed for the beginning of this summer, it hasn’t stopped our plants growing and even though I have a tummy full of dialysis fluid and a tube through it, I can still attack my garden with gusto! It’s so rewarding.

I’m just getting ready to go to Cornwall for a few days to visit the Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project. I emailed both establishments a few weeks ago and asked them if they had any facilities for me to use to exchange my dialysis fluid. Both of them replied promptly offering me use of their first aid room, and told me to make myself known at the entrance.  They said that if I wanted I could leave and return using the same ticket.

Whilst I’m away I will use a hot water bottle to heat up my bag or if it’s a warm day it will warm up in the car.

I spent a bit of time the other Saturday rattling the tin for a kidney charity outside a supermarket and I found that lots of people came and told me all about their own experiences with kidney problems and linked ailments.  It’s certainly quite prevalent but good to know that it doesn’t have to lead to kidney failure.

Keep drinking the water & enjoy your summer!!

A trip to Spain…

Date: May 2010

At last my husband and I got away to Spain for our holiday! Slightly later than planned due to the volcanic ash, but hey never mind. At least the delay meant that I didn’t need to take my EPO injection with me.. although I have in the past and it’s quite safe in the suitcase in a small cool bag.

My suitcase was carefully packed and loaded with my relevant tablets, blood pressure mini monitor and associated requirements from Baxters and I made sure I took a letter “to whom it may concern” outlining my medical condition etc from the consultant, but I didn’t need this.

So, it was time to relax and get the blood pressure down. This time of year is so lovely with the spring flowers and it’s a great chance to relax and get the blood pressure down. I used to be able to wallow and swim in the pool, but that’s a small thing to go without and I sit on the edge and dangle my feet in.

Doing dialysis, writing postcards, visiting restaurants and friends, and planning our next day out is just wonderful – there’s nothing else like it.  Don’t be afraid to travel - your unit and suppliers can help and getting rid of your waste in yellow sacks is easy, just pop it into any chemist and it’s done - no problem. I was scared the first time I went off abroad but my unit put me in touch with a lady who ‘talked’ me through it. I can recommend travel to anyone – we all need and deserve a break!