Unexpected News

The good news is in short supply these days. I’ve learned to cherish any good news I can find, and when I get personal good news, I want to share it.

A few days ago, I went for my regular checkup with my Nephrologist, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have had Stage Four Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for nearly three years. I do what I can to take care of myself, but with Diabetes as a complicating factor, it can be a tremendous struggle.

I have been coached and advised about what we hope will be the distant future need for dialysis and eventual kidney transplant surgery. My health deteriorated so rapidly that all I could do was go from one hospital stay to another for four long months.

So, Hal and I went to the appointment, although Hal waited in the car. I did my blood and urine testing at the lab a week before I visited with the doctor so he had time to see how I was doing.

The doctor came in with a smile visible through his face shield. My numbers were all dramatically better than the last time. He told me that almost every patient in my condition steadily regressed downward. Although I still have Stage Four CKD, it isn’t getting worse now.

I told the doctor I attribute the good news to eating more meals at home, where I can at least have greater control over what goes into my body. I told him how much I enjoyed cooking for Hal. I can’t describe how wonderful it feels to spend time with Hal at our small table, sharing a home-cooked meal.

I’m not the most fabulous cook, but I manage pretty well, and I’m enthusiastic about cooking and trying new things. Hal is always honest with me about my cooking, and he seldom refuses to eat what I’ve prepared. I take that as a sign of love, as well as an approval of my cooking skills.

There are a few things that we like to have more often than others, and salmon tops the list. While I loved making salmon patties from scratch, that became too much trouble with cats around. Instead, I cheat and buy ready-made salmon burgers from Costco. They cook wonderfully on the Ninja Foodie grill in less than twenty minutes, requiring minimal cleanup.

Pork chops are another favorite because the price hasn’t skyrocketed. I prepare pork chosen in the Ninja Foodie Grill as well, with the temperature probe set to 140 because they continue to cook for a minute or so after I remove them from the heat.

I use the same process when we do have chicken. Thankfully, we have a vacuum sealer, so we prepare and marinate pork and chicken and then freeze them for a later time. We buy salmon, pork, and chicken from Costco to save money because it is cheaper to buy and freeze than constantly running to the supermarket.

Another trick to eating healthily is buying fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned items. If I can’t find fresh, I’ll buy frozen instead of canned. There are too many preservatives in canned foods. No food is totally free from contamination, but I always go fresh, frozen, and then canned on rare occasions. Buying groceries like that, and cooking meals at home is a huge factor in my CKD not worsening.

I’m so excited about my news from the doctor. If my story helps anyone out there, then it was worth writing.