I mentioned in a couple of my posts how I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. It's true, you can get to that point where you look at yourself and say, "what happend"? I have some pretty good excuses to explain what happened but those don't help me change the situation.
To recap: I have had progressive kidney failure for the last 3 or 4 years that effected my ability to exercise or be active. I used to coach every sport my kids were involved in: baseball, soccer, basketball (I draw the line at football). I wasn't just the stand on the sideline coach either, I wanted to play and show how it's done. I'm retired now, but I have been slowly retiring for a while as my body told me I didn't have the energy or muscles for it any longer. During my dialysis year the treatments and medicine really took it out of me. Something about pumping 10 liters of sugar water in and out of my abdomen nightly was not a positive improvement. I had a kidney transplant in March 2014 removing 10 pounds of diseased kidneys, an appendix and a gall bladder which were very positive but the process of removing them and the empty space left over have been a challenge to rehabilitate. My abs were cut laterally across my belly (impressive 14 inch scar if you want to see it) and even now I still can't feel my belly button. Situps are painful and you'd be surprised what you use your abs for. Did you know that if your abs are weak your back is the only think keeping you upright? I should have a strong back, imagine what will happen if I ever get my abs back? That's a decent list of excuses.
My rehabilitation started in the hospital when they forced me out of my comfy bed and told me to do laps around the hallway with my rolling pain pump and my bum hanging out the back of my gown. After I went home I decided that this is my second chance at fixing my 'sick and tired' situation and I wasn't going to blow it. But I could barely walk down two steps from my bedroom to the den. That turned into walking to the corner and back three times a day. Then around the block three times. Then a mile three times a day. Well you get the point. At some point in June I decided to wake up at 5:00am and see how far I could go, 7+ miles later I staggered back home. In August we had a fitness challenge at work and I was assigned a 9 mile distance that I had to complete as fast I could as part of a relay. I did it all in one shot from 9:00pm to whenever I got done (that was hard). My A.D.D. kicked in at some point and I had to shake it up so I tried to inject some running into the process and my body reminded me that I am not a runner. My compression syndrome showed back up in my shins and I developed plantar fasciitis in one foot that I'm still trying to heal. Discouragement set in and I fell off the walking wagon. I needed something that will work more than my legs and also was varied enough that I wouldn't get bored.
'Here, drink some koolaid'
I have a co-worker named Eric who is a member of this group (it's really a cult) that speaks this weird language all the time. They run into each other and use words I've never heard of: WOD, burpees and kipping. They talk about how they do these completely stupid workouts where they throw-up sometimes and when they are done they all collapse on the floor in pain and exhaustion. They brag to each other when they manage to pick up some crazy amount of weight and hold it above their head and then squat to the floor and back up. Then they were excited to do a different insane workout the very next day. On top of all that, sometimes they get together and have contests where some sadistic person picks a stupid workout that would put most of us in the hospital and they compete to see who can do it the fastest. Unbelievable. Eric talks about it all the time to anyone he can find who will listen. Oh, the name of this cult is called Crossfit and it apparently is not just Eric and some buddies, it's a world-wide cult of people all doing the same crazy workouts. Enough Cult-bashing. I first heard of it during my dialysis year and it just so happens there is a Crossfit 'Box' (a garage with some weights and crazy people in it) not far from my house and my oldest son decided to go try it out with a friend. He comes home soaked in sweat and ready to go back the next day and do it again. My son and I are similar in a few areas, we both get bored doing the same thing over and over and we are a little competitive.
My Indoctrination Begins
I told myself after Paul showed me how much stronger he had gotten from just a few weeks of Crossfit (granted he is 18 years old and doesn't have a bit of fat on him) that if I ever got a transplant I would try Crossfit to see if it could help me rehabilitate. That was September of 2013. Fast-forward 15 months. Here we are in December of 2014, I have a new kidney and a new level of energy that I haven't had in at least 5 years. I have recuperated enough to be able to walk 10+ miles a day. I am the heaviest I have ever been in my entire life. I'm planning on working out tonight doing 800 meters of rowing, run 1200 meters, 20 pushups, 40 ring rows, 60 lunges and 80 situps (or some slight variation since my abs are better but still not normal). I've been going to Crossfit now for two months. I have met great coaches who are more than happy to help me adjust the workouts to my handicaps. I have met people just like me, not quite as old though, who just want to work hard and get better. It's not really a cult at all, it is just different. It is great for my A.D.D. because every single day is different. I don't have to run much, so my 'issues' aren't as much of a factor. I'm doing things that I never thought I could, I dead lifted 330 pounds last night. My abs are still an issue but I can tell they are improving. I'm not losing weight yet because I'm rebuilding years of lost muscle.
It's the people that make a difference. My family has been very supportive and even wait to eat dinner with me after I work out (most of the time). My first coach, Jason, was great for me as he taught me the right form as a foundation and made sure I knew what I was doing before I tried to do too much. I have started at a new Box now and it's the same just different. I'm stronger and I'm getting closer to working out with the big boys but I've got a long way to go. Zak and Rebecca have been very supportive and helpful getting me past my issues so I can keep going when I would normally quit. Josh and Cassie keep me going when I want to stop.
I get to talk the language now with Eric, this koolaid isn't so bad.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
End of 2014 Wrap Up
This will be my Christmas/End of Year wrap up post
(and most likely the last one I'll do until my new 1st birthday in March)
I'm in the middle of the Christmas Season and we just got done with Thanksgiving so I thought I will reflect on my very busy year and say thanks for alot of people who have helped me get to this point.
(and most likely the last one I'll do until my new 1st birthday in March)
I'm in the middle of the Christmas Season and we just got done with Thanksgiving so I thought I will reflect on my very busy year and say thanks for alot of people who have helped me get to this point.
My Lord and Savior:
I have experienced countless touches from my Lord this year. Primarily, the whole transplant experience was completely a God thing. Nobody had control over finding a donor that was a better match than a family member would have been. The doctors didn't anticipate my faster than normal recovery from a surgery that removed 4 organs and transplanted one. We were surrounded by felt prayers and people the whole time. I am now 9 months from surgery and I am stronger and more energetic than I have been in 10 years. I am doing crossfit a few times a week and exercising more than I thought I ever would again. For my healing and renewed strength I give complete credit to the only one that is capable.
Family:
I don't know about you but I am bad about taking people for granted and my beautiful, caring, intelligent wife bears the brunt of my neglect. Thinking back on the last few years, she has carried this family more than her share. Just this year alone she had to be my dialysis nurse, my surgery nurse, my rehabilitation encourager, my dietician, my driver, my accountant, my cook and then all of the mountain of other things for the other people she cares for. There's no way I could do all that she does. I appreciate her more than I can express, but I should make an effort. My boys have been great through all of this, they were all so helpful during the dialysis time, they are my role-models. I want to be like Paul: active, strong, smart, funny, outgoing. He is the reason why I started Cross-Fit (more on this later). I want to be like Jake: confident, smart, strong, funny, talented, Godly. I wish I could sing and play the bass like him. I want to be like Ben: witty, smart, active, talented, on the verge of something great. I am anxious to see what he makes of his life. My Dad, brother, sisters, in-laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, did I leave anyone out? The amount of concern, prayer, encouragement and love I got from all of these people helped me get up and put the pieces back together and I still feel them every time they check on me to see how I'm doing. I want to pay them all back with my own successes and recovery.
Friends:
You never really know how many friends you have until you go through something dramatic like we did this year. My Facebook friend count skyrocketed. I have one person promising to pray for my every single day until they die. I have people stop me every time I see them and genuinely ask me how I'm doing and are so happy when I tell them I am a new man. I'm blessed to have so many people care about me and my family. At one point back in March my family was going through withdrawals from not having someone bring us food every day. I am very very thankful for all of you who have taken an interest in my family.
Coworkers:
It's never a good time to be away from work for 6 weeks, but I took that to an extreme. I work on a team of 3 people and a contract helper who all help support a complex system. This system went live after a multi-year project on March 1st. This was also when our team of 4 people started working 24x7 in 12 hour shifts. Also during this time one of our team members managed to schedule the birth of their first child so he was out for a week. 3 days after go-live I screwed it all up and got a kidney transplant which meant support of this system landed on one person with one contractor helper. I never heard complaints from anyone and I still feel indebted to my team for covering for me during this time. My work energy has not been very strong for the past couple of years but it is growing and I finally feel like I'm carrying my load again. My thanks go well beyond just my team mates, my boss, HR, my execs, everyone has been so helpful and encouraging all year.
Doctors/Nurses/Lab Techs/Dentists/Dialysis Clinic/Medical Staff:
I believe my medical team has been custom built for me. I can't think of one complaint about anyone that has worked with me since all the way back when I started Dialysis. I'm very thankful for each of them especially Mary my Lab Tech that takes my blood every month, she's awesome (always be nice to people who stick needles in your arms).
It's been a long year full of a roller coaster of emotions. When I look back I can't help but be thankful for everything and everyone involved. This time last year I was tired, fat, depressed with no end in sight. Today I'm as 'normal' as I get. I am in the best shape I have been in for at least 5 years probably more (I'll post more on that in a different post). I can eat what I want, mostly. I don't have any tubes in me. I am more than happy to take my small handful of pills twice a day if that's what it takes to keep me feeling like this. Most of all I'm surrounded by a wife and family who put up with all my issues and love me despite of them.
What more could I ask for.
Happy 2015
Family:
I don't know about you but I am bad about taking people for granted and my beautiful, caring, intelligent wife bears the brunt of my neglect. Thinking back on the last few years, she has carried this family more than her share. Just this year alone she had to be my dialysis nurse, my surgery nurse, my rehabilitation encourager, my dietician, my driver, my accountant, my cook and then all of the mountain of other things for the other people she cares for. There's no way I could do all that she does. I appreciate her more than I can express, but I should make an effort. My boys have been great through all of this, they were all so helpful during the dialysis time, they are my role-models. I want to be like Paul: active, strong, smart, funny, outgoing. He is the reason why I started Cross-Fit (more on this later). I want to be like Jake: confident, smart, strong, funny, talented, Godly. I wish I could sing and play the bass like him. I want to be like Ben: witty, smart, active, talented, on the verge of something great. I am anxious to see what he makes of his life. My Dad, brother, sisters, in-laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, did I leave anyone out? The amount of concern, prayer, encouragement and love I got from all of these people helped me get up and put the pieces back together and I still feel them every time they check on me to see how I'm doing. I want to pay them all back with my own successes and recovery.
Friends:
You never really know how many friends you have until you go through something dramatic like we did this year. My Facebook friend count skyrocketed. I have one person promising to pray for my every single day until they die. I have people stop me every time I see them and genuinely ask me how I'm doing and are so happy when I tell them I am a new man. I'm blessed to have so many people care about me and my family. At one point back in March my family was going through withdrawals from not having someone bring us food every day. I am very very thankful for all of you who have taken an interest in my family.
Coworkers:
It's never a good time to be away from work for 6 weeks, but I took that to an extreme. I work on a team of 3 people and a contract helper who all help support a complex system. This system went live after a multi-year project on March 1st. This was also when our team of 4 people started working 24x7 in 12 hour shifts. Also during this time one of our team members managed to schedule the birth of their first child so he was out for a week. 3 days after go-live I screwed it all up and got a kidney transplant which meant support of this system landed on one person with one contractor helper. I never heard complaints from anyone and I still feel indebted to my team for covering for me during this time. My work energy has not been very strong for the past couple of years but it is growing and I finally feel like I'm carrying my load again. My thanks go well beyond just my team mates, my boss, HR, my execs, everyone has been so helpful and encouraging all year.
Doctors/Nurses/Lab Techs/Dentists/Dialysis Clinic/Medical Staff:
I believe my medical team has been custom built for me. I can't think of one complaint about anyone that has worked with me since all the way back when I started Dialysis. I'm very thankful for each of them especially Mary my Lab Tech that takes my blood every month, she's awesome (always be nice to people who stick needles in your arms).
It's been a long year full of a roller coaster of emotions. When I look back I can't help but be thankful for everything and everyone involved. This time last year I was tired, fat, depressed with no end in sight. Today I'm as 'normal' as I get. I am in the best shape I have been in for at least 5 years probably more (I'll post more on that in a different post). I can eat what I want, mostly. I don't have any tubes in me. I am more than happy to take my small handful of pills twice a day if that's what it takes to keep me feeling like this. Most of all I'm surrounded by a wife and family who put up with all my issues and love me despite of them.
What more could I ask for.
Happy 2015
September 17th, like brother like sister!!
2014 is a red letter year for me as well as my big sister Pam. My sister also has failing kidneys and is just now getting to the point where she is close to dialysis and needs to investigate the transplant route. She started this process a few months ago and incredibly her very first living donor was a perfect match. I'm not exaggerating the 'perfect' part. An organ match is rated on 6 different antigens between donor and recipient. Based on how many of those antigens that match determine how will your body 'should' accept a new organ. When I got my kidney they told me my match was 4 out of 6 which was very very good, in fact if I got a kidney from a blood relative the match would mostly likely only be 3 out of 6. Pam and our cousin Suzanne are a 6 out of 6 match which is perfect. It doesn't mean that rejection is impossible, but it hopefully makes it lesser. All that to say that my sister is scheduled to get her Kidney tomorrow in Kansas City Med Center.
Update: Her surgery went well. They didn't remove her bad kidneys just yet, they will schedule that later after her recovery. Her lab numbers aren't exactly where they want them to be but, they are better than before the transplant. As they get her meds adjusted and her body recovers more they should improve.
Update: Her surgery went well. They didn't remove her bad kidneys just yet, they will schedule that later after her recovery. Her lab numbers aren't exactly where they want them to be but, they are better than before the transplant. As they get her meds adjusted and her body recovers more they should improve.
Sick and tired of being sick and tired
My one month doctor appointment went great, they told me that I was way ahead of where I should be after a month and suggested I was ready to go back to work and start rehabilitating my old tired body. They said walking was my only option since my 14 inch incision across my belly was going to take a very long time to completely heal and will never really be the same again.
By now you have figured out that I have done a lot of sitting around resting my beaten down body and during that time if they ever told me I could get up and be more active with my new found energy, I was going to take advantage of it. The problem is I have to take my 47 year old raggedy body with me and it wasn't cooperating. One of the few things I remember my Doctor tell me was to walk, just a little bit. Walk to the end of the driveway. After you conquer that, walk to the end of the block, then around the block, then add a block. So that's what I did. I had another few weeks of time off from work so I hit the streets. I borrowed my mother-in-laws hiking stick, because I still wasn't very sure-footed, and set a goal to walk 3 times a day. It became a ritual, a priority, a requirement before I went to bed I had to get my 3 walks in. So my day consisted of eating, watch Doctor Who, go walking, watch more Doctor Who, eat lunch, walk more, watch more Doctor Who, eat dinner, walk one more time, collapse into bed. As long as I was seeing progress I was excited to keep it up. It got me into shape enough to go on our church youth choir trip in June to Orlando.
Sometimes I couldn't even wait to wake up in the morning (figured out the steroids were waking me up) These pics were taken at 5:30am. My steroids were awesome and gave me a boost of energy.
I continued my walking pattern all through the summer and into the fall. I carried my gear to work and walked at lunch in 100 degree weather. Soon I got cocky and tried to start running with the hopes that my new body miraculously liked to run all of the sudden. To no avail, I still had bad knees and my compartment syndrome in my shins came back with a vengeance. I bought expensive super cushioned shoes and they actually helped to some point, but when it all came around I realized I can't stand to run. I don't have the patience for how long it takes, I need to find some exercise program that changes every day and still works towards getting my muscles and hopefully my ABS back in shape. More on this subject to come in another post.
By now you have figured out that I have done a lot of sitting around resting my beaten down body and during that time if they ever told me I could get up and be more active with my new found energy, I was going to take advantage of it. The problem is I have to take my 47 year old raggedy body with me and it wasn't cooperating. One of the few things I remember my Doctor tell me was to walk, just a little bit. Walk to the end of the driveway. After you conquer that, walk to the end of the block, then around the block, then add a block. So that's what I did. I had another few weeks of time off from work so I hit the streets. I borrowed my mother-in-laws hiking stick, because I still wasn't very sure-footed, and set a goal to walk 3 times a day. It became a ritual, a priority, a requirement before I went to bed I had to get my 3 walks in. So my day consisted of eating, watch Doctor Who, go walking, watch more Doctor Who, eat lunch, walk more, watch more Doctor Who, eat dinner, walk one more time, collapse into bed. As long as I was seeing progress I was excited to keep it up. It got me into shape enough to go on our church youth choir trip in June to Orlando.
Sometimes I couldn't even wait to wake up in the morning (figured out the steroids were waking me up) These pics were taken at 5:30am. My steroids were awesome and gave me a boost of energy.
I continued my walking pattern all through the summer and into the fall. I carried my gear to work and walked at lunch in 100 degree weather. Soon I got cocky and tried to start running with the hopes that my new body miraculously liked to run all of the sudden. To no avail, I still had bad knees and my compartment syndrome in my shins came back with a vengeance. I bought expensive super cushioned shoes and they actually helped to some point, but when it all came around I realized I can't stand to run. I don't have the patience for how long it takes, I need to find some exercise program that changes every day and still works towards getting my muscles and hopefully my ABS back in shape. More on this subject to come in another post.
Facebook - 3/29/2014 - 3 weeks old
March 29 ·
I
haven't sent an update in a while because I didn't think it was
interesting to know that I sit around and watch Doctor Who all day on
Netflix. I'm doing really well in my recovery. I would say that my body is 90% recovered from the surgery. My 14 inch incision is still healing and the nerves around it are still repairing which feels weird, somewhere between slightly numb and tingly all at the same time. My energy has greatly improved. I don't feel like taking naps anymore which I have fought the urge to do constantly for the last couple years. I get out and walk a mile three times a day which I'm about to have to increase since it's getting too easy. Overall I have lost 25 pounds, a big part of that was my extra large kidneys. I'm going to try to increase my exercise and keep my weight off. I can tell that my head is more clear than it has been for a while. I have had many cloudy days since my kidneys couldn't clean all the toxins away, I'm anxious to see if I work differently.
At the moment we are still in the quarantine stage of my recovery. In
the first 6 weeks after transplant the focus is to fine tune all the
anti-rejection and immune system meds. The goal is to use as little
anti-rejections meds as possible since they lower my ability to fight
off germs and illnesses. Which is why I'm hiding in my house away from
kids, work, public places and church. The good news is that they
have consistently lowered my main anti-rejection drug since leaving the
hospital. This means that I'm matching my new kidney really well and
don't need to lower my immune system as much as initially expected.
The fewer drugs the better.
I have my next visit with my transplant team on Thursday when I will get my update on how susceptible to germs I am and what the next couple weeks will be like.
I want to thank everyone for the incredible support that has been showered on me and my family over the last few weeks. All of the cards, gifts, incredible food, offers for help, texts, well wishes and most importantly the prayers that I give full credit for my recovery, have been appreciated more than I can express.
I have my next visit with my transplant team on Thursday when I will get my update on how susceptible to germs I am and what the next couple weeks will be like.
I want to thank everyone for the incredible support that has been showered on me and my family over the last few weeks. All of the cards, gifts, incredible food, offers for help, texts, well wishes and most importantly the prayers that I give full credit for my recovery, have been appreciated more than I can express.
Facebook - 3/14/2014 - 1000 Situps
March 14 ·
Short
post tonight. Today was recovery from all my fun yesterday. I woke up
feeling like I've done 1000 sit-ups. Not sure if my nerves are coming
back or my muscles are tight from all the activity yesterday. I sat
around and tried to get comfortable all day. We'll see how I feel
tomorrow. I plan on sitting in a car watching some baseball. Out in the
dirt with a lot of people is not a good idea at the moment so I'll
quarantine myself in a car. Better than bleachers anyway. Stay tuned...
Facebook - 3/13/2014 - First Dr. Visit
Dana said she was done posting, my fingers work so I am responsible for the posts from now on.
Dr visit day... Today has been a long day. It's the first lab and Dr visit post surgery. It's been tiring just because my energy level is not recovered yet. So traveling to UAMS twice today, bouncing in the car which is better than on Monday but I still brace for every bump, and waiting in uncomfortable chairs has worn me out. But it was all good news. They were very happy with my lab results. My kidney function level is almost the same as a normal person with two kidneys (1.3). It's amazing to see God's healing and creation compensate. The doctor is not concerned over my blood sugar at the moment which is a big relief to me, I like my occasional sugar. My lack of energy they fully expected and might be easily fixed with some new meds they just added, and more water. They reduced some of my rejection meds which is a good sign of a good match. All in all the long day has been very positive. Oh I forgot, the Dr was so pleased he said I didn't have to see him again until April, which was supposed to be every week. I call that good news. Thanks for all the overwhelming love and kindness that you all have heaped on my family, the prayers have been felt, don't quit praying. Steve
Dr visit day... Today has been a long day. It's the first lab and Dr visit post surgery. It's been tiring just because my energy level is not recovered yet. So traveling to UAMS twice today, bouncing in the car which is better than on Monday but I still brace for every bump, and waiting in uncomfortable chairs has worn me out. But it was all good news. They were very happy with my lab results. My kidney function level is almost the same as a normal person with two kidneys (1.3). It's amazing to see God's healing and creation compensate. The doctor is not concerned over my blood sugar at the moment which is a big relief to me, I like my occasional sugar. My lack of energy they fully expected and might be easily fixed with some new meds they just added, and more water. They reduced some of my rejection meds which is a good sign of a good match. All in all the long day has been very positive. Oh I forgot, the Dr was so pleased he said I didn't have to see him again until April, which was supposed to be every week. I call that good news. Thanks for all the overwhelming love and kindness that you all have heaped on my family, the prayers have been felt, don't quit praying. Steve
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