No more red wine?

I had every intention of exercising today, Valentines Day.  It has been seven days since I was at the gym.  This so reminds me of my Catechism days at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Huron.  "Father, it has been seven days since my last gym visit.  Please forgive me for not exercising my body.  I know His body was given up for me and I can't even show a little respect and get my body on an elliptical trainer."  I haven't seen a confessional in All Saints Episcopal Church, the church that my family now attends, so I guess this blog will have to do.

There I feel a little bit better, but I'm guessing not as good as I would if I had actually went to the gym.


There was a moment when I was at Mitchell's Fish Market after finishing my second glass of Chardonnay but before ordering a slice of key lime pie, that I was feeling pretty motivated.  I was thinking to myself that as soon as lunch was over, I would go to the fruit market to stock up for the week and buy some roses - since the early Valentine tulips were fading fast and tomorrow is also Andria's birthday, come home and then head over to the gym. 

It was one big slice of key lime pie.  I still don't understand why the waiter brought two forks.  So, after lunch I was feeling pretty cozy, but still had my plan ready to execute.  In fact, the rest of the afternoon went accordingly until I came home and was greeted by a frantic Andria who was desperately trying to finish writing a presentation while keeping our overly excitable six month Chocolate Lab, Cassie, from her enthusiastic mock chewing of our children's extremities.  I got the sense that it wasn't the right time to leave again.  Now, I wasn't born with such an acute sense, it took, let's see - I've been together with Andria since 1982 and it is now 2010 - well, twenty-eight years of Navy SEAL like training to achieve what I like to call "complete spousal awareness."  My buddy's have a different term for this zen like heighten sense of support.  They just crack an air whip and make a kershwip sound as if I am supposed to know what that means.


I suspect what is really going on is that my hemoglobin slipped a bit to 10.3.  After ten years of trying to manage kidney disease I have become very aware of how I'm feeling based on what is happening with my body.  At first it was extremely frustrating when my body just wouldn't respond to what my mind was asking of it.  But after years of frustration I eventually came to understand that at times like this it is better to ride it out, own up to these biological shortcomings and float until they are corrected rather than to be angry.  In a fast pace world this was not very easy.  Though, my world slowed down without my permission.  I had no choice but to adjust.  And, it has been much better since I have.  However, blogging about not exercising wasn't the intent of Paddling on Dialysis for Kidney Health.  It is though, an honest portrayal of life with kidney disease.


For those of you who know me, you might have noticed I said Chardonnay rather than Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon.  Well the results of that endoscopy gracefully showed no cancer, but apparently I don't have my own esophagus.  Rather, I have Barrett's and that is unfortunate because he is not allowed to drink much coffee or wine, especially red wine.  Now I just received a wonderful Keurig one cup coffee maker for Christmas and joined the Green Mountain Espresso Club.  I have been having a delightful time brewing deliciously dark and bold fair trade coffees throughout each day and ending it with a class of healthful and warm Jacob's Creek Merlot or Shiraz or Cab.  And if writing is on schedule for the night, perhaps two - one for me and one for Ernest H's spirit.  Of course, I have been walking around with a frown from being anemic and having an upset stomach most of 2010.  So, perhaps there is something to Mr. Barrett's Esophagus.  Thank goodness lent is fast approaching, perhaps now is a good time to give up - mmmm, how about carbonated sodas - they are on the list too.


As if meeting Mr. Barrett wasn't enough.  After having a rather delicate discussion with my beautiful Nephrologist about a very sensitive area of mine, I now have to go meet Dr. Butt Surgeon next Wednesday. "Ya got trouble, my friend, right here, trouble I say, trouble right here in River City."  Were talking about the mouth of the river, my friend, the end of the line, the place I fear to be and that rhymes with P that stands for. . .


Now it doesn't matter that I have had two kidney transplant surgeries, and two failed kidney transplant removal surgeries.  I have had my chest cracked open to remove my thymus gland - that helped with the Mysthenia Gravis.  And, I have had multiple fistula surgeries and an emergency appendectomy.  Those were small potatoes compared to this new area of concern.  I absolutely do not look forward to hearing these three words, "Please bend over."  Unh, Unh.  I don't want to hear it, and I certainly don't want to do it.  But, I realize that if I'm continuing to loose blood that that is just not a sustainable thing.  So just like facing that colonoscopy head on er ass on, I will have to face my fears bend over, hold my ankles (well I can't quite get there yet) and . . .


I'm sure I will appreciate my bravery when I'm having to sit in a canoe for 225 miles.


With my pity party firmly behind me.  And, after Wednesday I'll let you know whatever else is behind me.  It is time to look forward to a week of great intents on getting to the gym.  It helps tremendously to hear from you.  The many words of encouragement that I get here and on our facebook page helps immensely.  Thank you.


Additionally, I am now collecting the names of volunteers who would like to paddle with me for a day during the Grand River Expedition.  While we will be canoeing with a number of individuals, Andria and I agreed that it would be great if I could have a companion to share the river with each day.  I see it as a great opportunity to spend a day with a friend on a meaningful and beautiful summer river boating excursion.  Please let me know if you can join me for a day during the last two weeks of July.


Also, we will be launching the fundraising aspect of this project. When I went to buy Antonia's corsage for the Daddy Daughter Dance last week I ran into a neighbor who remembered me from my early days of fundraising for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. She said, “didn't you have that picture of your children as frogs?” Here it is, a picture from the early days of The Riverdudes National Kidney Foundation of Michigan's fundraising team. Enjoy and happy Valentines Day.