Gwennaford's Journal

[dakotagirl]

I somewhat know what you go through with the dialysis - my father-in-law was on dialysis for around 9 years.  At the time there were no dialysis clinics anywhere near their home so the Veterans Administration set them up with the machines at home and trained my mother-in-law to run them.

[Sweet_Pea]

Sorry to hear you have been sick and on your anniversary.  What a bummer.  Hope you continue to feel better.

You made me laugh so when you said Neil would settle for hamburgers because his behind had grown roots to his recliner.  I love reading your posts.

We did the Super Bowl thing tonight and I made two baked chickens with a rice casserole dish that I got off the site here.  I put it in the chickens like stuffing and it was very good.  Also made the chicken salad with grapes and a ldl pumpkin pie.  My daughter and son-in-law made a taco bar, chili, smoked salmon plate, pork roast and etc.  It was quite the feast.  I did real well at keeping myself with the ldl foods.

Hope you will be all better today.

Hugs, Carrole

[Gwennaford]

Wow, Swee'pea, you were really busy cooking.  It would have taken me a week to get all that ready.  What a feast.  What are your kids saying about how proud they are of you?

Dakota - It's really great for Neil not to be stuck having to go to the dialysis clinic.  I guess all the dialysis patients are old enough to retire, or are on disability, because it's impossible to do that & still work a 9-5 job.  We were VERY blessed by the Lord to be in the right place at the right time, and "just happened" to ask the right question of the right person, who set us up with this new home program that didn't previously exist.  That's why nobody had heard of it.  It took 90 hours of in-clinic training for the pair of us.  Working as a team is mandatory.  This is not the kind of dialysis where the fluid washes the body cavity (peritoneal).  This is the kind of dialysis where all the blood is removed, cleansed & pumped back in (hemodialysis).    I KNOW - yuck, right?  It doesn't bother me, though.  I get mad at him for being such a 'man' but I don't want him to be sick.

How did you gals enjoy the game?  I always have a tendency to root for the underdog.  I was delirious when AZ caught up & went into the lead.  Very sad they couldn't hold onto it.

[Sweet_Pea]

I was tooting my horn for the Cards.  Almost pulled it off at the end.

Carrole

[graceface66]

So Sorry your team lost .....but GO STEELERS!!!
            (I grew up in Pittsburgh)
                                  Have a good day
                                        Kris

[dakotagirl]

Hemodialysis at home is not a easy thing - I admire you for your efforts on his behalf.  This was also the type of dialysis that my FIL used.

[Gwennaford]

So Sorry your team lost .....but GO STEELERS!!!
             (I grew up in Pittsburgh)
                                   Have a good day
                                         Kris

ha ha - YOU GO GIRL!  I have to admit "Steeler Nation" played brilliantly.  Next time the Cardinals need to wake up & get in the game before the 4th quarter! 

So what was up with that #92?  (That WAS Harrison, right?)  I was surprised by his behavior after the fantastic feat he pulled off.  Talk about being in the right place at the right time!  But he spent the rest of the game acting like the Terminator having a bad hair day! 

[Gwennaford]

Hemodialysis at home is not a easy thing - I admire you for your efforts on his behalf.  This was also the type of dialysis that my FIL used.

It's wonderful the VA provided that option for them.  How long ago did your in-laws do the home hemo?  If it was more than about 5 years ago, it was probably much for diffilcult for them than it is for us because of the new computerized machines that are extremely easy to use.  All the complicated training was so we would know what to do if the machines decide not to behave themselves, which does happen occasionally. 

So I don't want to take more credit than is due.  It is not so difficult as it is complicated and time consuming.  It has actually been going a lot smoother since I started laying on hands & praying over Neil & the machines before every treatment.  Praise God!  He always meets us where we are.  I am so grateful all our needs are met in Him and through Him and not through our own meager efforts. 

Loves, Gwen

[Gwennaford]

Today my focus is to relearn how to dance in the rain ... 

  there you go, kiddo ..........i'll meet you outside............niki

Hey Niki - It's raining today.  Are you still up for that dance?   

I miss you.  Loves, Gwen

[Gwennaford]

Food Journal - Mon. Feb. 1.  My temperature is down to normal, the outdoor temperature is UP to normal and a gentle rain has been falling all day.  While I'm not thrilled to be disabled, (temporarily--I have never claimed this to be permanent) today is one of those days I AM thrilled to be able to stay home, curled up with a good book.  I remember the days, before heading out the door, when I would take a long last look around my cozy little home and yearn to stay here, instead of going out to face the giants.  Now I can stay in, so that's definitely something to be grateful for.  A peaceful respite before heading back out to face the giants!

Breakfast 8:00 am

• Fresh Fruit: 1/4 lg. Canteloupe, an Apple Pear, a Grapefruit, a few Grapes
• Lg. Skim Milk -- I should mention again, that calcium-rich foods, including milk, have been ordered by my doctors because of my bone & joint health issues.  Dark leafy greens contain more absorbable calcium per serving, but they don't appeal to me for breakfast.   ;)

Lunch 2:30 pm

• Tuscan Veg & Bean Soup, Poached Chicken Breast & one of those strange Beef Biscuits w/BBQ sauce for fork tines
• Lettuce & Tomato topped w/4-Bean Salad, Iced Tea

Dinner 8 pm

• Canteloupe, grapes
• Hot Jasmine Tea, Chicken Broth

Those meat cake things didn't agree with me.  I'm throwing the rest of them in the freezer.  Maybe I can use them next time I make chili.

[dakotagirl]

It has actually been many years since my FIL's dialysis - he passed in 1987 just a few days after our youngest son was born.  His kidney problems began in the late 60's when my husband was still in high school.  He didn't require dialysis for few couple of  year - until they did some kind of test where they injected dye as a contrast media and that caused complete kidney failure.  I believe his problems was in the family of Glumoulonephritis (sp?) and at that time they would not do a transplant because they said it would affect the transplanted kidney and eventually cause it to fail - now they do them all the time in these cases. 

[Gwennaford]

That is very sad. Yet they are still using that dye & still cautioning patients about it in relation to its harmful effect on the kidneys.  Home hemo must have been terribly difficult for them.  Is your MIL still living?  I hope "Dad" got to meet your son.  My youngest is about the same age - April, '88.

Neil's kidney failure is a direct result of his negligence with not taking care of his diabetes.  However, if his kidneys hadn't failed, they wouldn't have found the colon cancer and he would probably be dead now.  So, hard as it is to understand, God DOES have a plan and He knows what's best for us.

[graceface66]

Hey Gwen,
            I see your ticker has moved........CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  10 less pounds of you to love!!
                                      kris

[Sweet_Pea]

Gwen, congratulations on the loss.  Wow, so happy for you!!!!!!  You are truly an inspiration to me.

Hope your week is going well.

Hugs, Carrole

[Gwennaford]

HA !  Thanks for noticing.  I wasn't going to announce it until Wednesday, my official WOW weighing-in date.  I was just feeling so good & skinny after my fruit & soup flush, I couldn't resist.  There's also approx. 11 inches gone from my waist.  It's hard to measure because my "waist" has moved around significantly - mostly down toward the floor!  I just obtained that number by measuring the slack in my wheelchair seatbelt.

Definitely going to need that tummy tuck after my new knees heal.

[Gwennaford]

Food Journal - Tues. Feb. 2.

Breakfast - 6:30 am

• Apple, unseasoned Popcorn & a few toasted Garbanzos
• Jasmine Green Tea

Lunch Dinner - 8 pm - I didn't have time to eat today so I'm eliminating the protein & having the rest for dinner

• Poached Chicken Breast, 2 sm. Sliced Tomatoes topped w/1 pt. 4-Bean Salad
• 1 lb. Steamed California Blend Veg (Cauli, Brocc, Carrots) w/Pepper Vinegar, 12 oz. Skim Milk, 1 Apple Pear peeled & sliced

I feel very full & satisfied, but not stuffed to bursting. Still very thirsty but don't want to stretch stomach any more, so will sip a big jug of ice water throughout the evening.  A lot of times I keep eating to satisfy something I can't seem to identify.  More often than not, it turns out I'm thirsty.

Dinner - 7 pm

• [s]Canteloupe, grapes
• Iced Jasmine Green Tea, Chicken Broth[/s]
  

[lifegoeson24n7]

WAY to go on the loss!  I am very happy for you.  Gwen, you are truly an inspiration.

For Gwen's a jolly good ldl'r.....For Gwen's a jolly good ldl'r...For Gwen's a jolly good ldl'r......that NOBODY can deny

I am so happy for you.

--Jill

[Gwennaford]

HA Jill - That's a great tribute.  But please don't give me any credit.  The Lord put me here in response to the cry of my heart. When I cried out, "Lord, I know You won't give me more than I can handle, but could I PLEASE just have a little vacation from this pain ? ? ?" -- He sent me to Let's Do Lunch & to you wonderful people.

It is only through His grace and mercy that I draw breath every day, let alone succeed at anything.

[dakotagirl]

Congratulations on moving that ticker closer to your goal!

My MIL is still alive.  She will be 82 this year and resides in a supported living facility now.  She remarried a few years after Dad passed and when her 2nd husband developed lung cancer, she took care of him until his death.

Grandpa did get to see his youngest grandson before he died and he has left quite a legacy - five children, fourteen grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and approximately 20 great-grandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren (so far)!

[Sweet_Pea]

Gwen,  I know us new at this ldl way of eating ask these questions all the time but I would be interested in knowing if you still eat fairly good size portions are have you cut down to small portions.  I know this should come naturally but I'm wondering if I am doing everything right.  I don't feel like the weight is coming off as haven't weighed since January 1st.  I just want to give this the best shot I can.  I know being on insulin hinders weight loss but think maybe I eat too much. 

Anyhow, my hat goes off to you, you are truly an amazing woman and I pray for you all the time.  I want you to have those new knees this year and pray God's special blessings for you and Neil.

Hugs, Carrole