Excess Death Estimates in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease — United States, February–August 2020

As hard as I wanted to and planned on writing about my Chronic Kidney Disease journey, is as hard as it has been for me to begin writing about my journey. It has truly been a roller coaster ride of a journey that is most times very draining for me to recall.  I'm just not ready.

But the other day, a Facebook memory popped up.  It was a video of my fellow dialysis patient, Ms. Kourtney. Those of you who know me know that she already had a special place in my heart once I learned her name. Kourtney with a "K".  That's my youngest daughter's name.

Md.Kourtney was an older, very fragile woman who was always dressed nice and had everything one would need to make you as comfortable as possible during treatment.  But she was always so sad.

When we first met, she had just finished her 4-hour treatment and was waiting to be picked up. (Ms. Kourtney lived in a Nursing Home and like most of the older patients relied on strangers for almost every aspect of her life. And health.) I was waiting to go in.  She was sitting there moaning and crying because...well dialysis can do that and much worse to a person.  You could tell her family made sure that she had the best of everything, but did not have a lot of time.  What I came to learn is that if you don't have people who show their faces or call to check on what's happening with you, you will almost assuredly fall prey to neglect and apathy.

I as known as THE CANDY LADY because, well I always had candy.  Jolly Ranchers were my specialty.  I offered a few to Ms. Kourtney during our first encounter and we'd been friends ever since.  Then one day, somehow we were on the same schedule. When I came in she was already on the machine and was moaning and groaning. I was positioned where I could see her and the people on either side of her.  I was still pretty new to dialysis, but I could see that her machine was running twice as fast as the ones on either side of her.  As I said, she was an older and very frail woman.  She sat in between two younger men whose machines were going much slower than hers.  Then I looked at mine.  It was about the same rate as Ms. Kourtney's two neighbors.

Let me explain what I mean when I say her machine was running much faster.

Dialysis is the most unnatural process in the world.  The machine actually removes blood from your body, filters it, and puts it back.  The speed at which the process goes can be changed to different degrees of fast and slow.  If it is too fast it will drain you and cause you to be uncomfortable and in pain and/or cramping.  So for the life of me, I couldn't understand why they didn't slow down Ms. Kourtney's machine.  

This went on for about 3 more sessions.  On that 4th session, I could tell that Ms. Kourtney was tired.  The moans and groans were now accompanied by cries of "TAKE ME NOW JESUS. PLEASE TAKE ME NOW"  She kept repeating over and over and over. I knew she was done when she didn't want any candy.  She waved me off and away.  I know that would be the last time I'd see Ms. Kourtney.  And it was.  She went home and died peacefully in her sleep that night.  I was very hurt.

I often wonder if Ms. Kourtney had a relative who called to see why she was always complaining of being in so much pain and what could be done about it.  I didn't like the way they handled Ms. Kourtney.  I will never forget her.  

Everything I do as it relates to CKD is dedicated to Ms. Kourtney And others like her.

" TIME ISN'T THE MAIN THING, IT'S THE ONLY THING" Miles Davis

 Four years.

It has been 4 years since my last post on my blog. There has just been so much going on.  I feel like Dorothy caught up in a tornado.  But the good news is that I RECEIVED A KIDNEY OF MARCH 16TH!

But I am working on it and believe me, it will be worth the wait.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support throughout the years.  

Please keep my Donor's family in your prayers.

I am sincerely and eternally grateful.

SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO DELAWARE VALLEY NEPHROLOGY!  IF YOU EVER HAVE A KIDNEY PROBLEM GO SEE THEM.  THEY ARE THE BEST!

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE...SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND MAINTENANCE

When the doctor told me I was in 4th stage CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease)  I didn't believe him So the first thing I did was to educate myself about kidneys; what they are and what they do.  Because I always drank plenty of water and constantly urinated.Well, one of the number one signs that you may be suffering from Kidney Disease is constant urination - especially at night.

Also be aware of changes in urination.  Color, foaminess, smell, or blood in urine could be an indication of kidney problems.

Another sign is lower back pain or pain in your sides. These can actually be pain from your kidneys.

Other early symptoms to include:

• anemia,
• changes in the way your food tastes, 
• loss of appetite, 
• dizziness,
• headaches, 
• difficulty thinking clearly, 
• shortness of breath, 
• fatigue, 
• itchy skin or rash.

When it finally sunk in that the doctor was right, I had to find out what exactly it is that I am dealing with.  What exactly do the kidneys do and what function has my body lost and how will dialysis help?   Upon accepting the inevitable, I had to undergo a series of blood tests to determine my level of kidney function, or lack thereof.  The one thing the doctor was very concerned about is something called the creatinine level.  The normal rang is .06 - 1.2 milligrams.  My levels?  8.6. Very very high.  This is want sent me to the hospital on the even of Xmas, 2018. 

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

 Of course as with all health related problems in the United States,  the disparity among African American, Latinos and Native Americans is still in effect.  Two major contributing factors are diabetes and hypertension - which are also prevalent among the aforementioned groups.  

DISPARITY

THE BOTTOM LINE....EAT RIGHT.

Two things we have to be careful about are Sodium, Potassium and Phosphorus.  These are not our friends!  Instead of focusing on what we CAN'T ear, I will focus on some of the many delicious foods that we CAN eat!

Lessons from a Snowflake

Happy New Year!

It's January 2019, and I was just thinking that we haven't had any snow yet in Philly.  Oh, yeah.  We did have that surprise 3 inches in November, but, I was hoping for a White Christmas.

As my grand daughter and I made snowflakes by cutting up white paper, I began to think about the structure of a real snowflake as she began explaining to me how snowflakes have 6 points.  I thought, "How interesting that such a tiny and fragile object has a six pointed structure."  Then I looked up what are snowflakes made of.  We learned that the molecules in the ice crystals join to one another in a hexagonal structure, allowing water molecules (H2O) to form a snowflake.

Each snowflake is a different individual, and by themselves  they don't make much of an impact. Sometimes they get carried away by the wind.  Sometimes they  collide and damage each other. Most times they collide and work together and when they work and bind together, they can wreak havoc on a city!

What a basic and fundamental concept!  Our communities could sure learn a lesson from these tiny and fragile pieces of matter.

We are all different individually, but collectively, if we work and bind together, we can strike a mighty blow.

Ponder that.

More to come!

Happy 2019

A WOMAN'S WORTH

To all my single ladies.  First, let me assure you that there is nothing wrong with you.  Being single is a sign of strength.  Blessed is she who is able to learn to live alone, to get to know herself, to be able to take care of herself, and to love herself. 

Knowing your worth is the prerequisite to having a healthy relationship.  You must know your worth and set standards for a man to show he is worthy of your consideration.  

Knowing your worth means that you don’t go chasing after anyone.  Your mere presence will draw potential mates like flies.  But we have to brush away the flies to allow the real prize access.  Now, giving access does NOT mean access to the gold between your thighs.   Hold off on that.  Allow access to your innermost thoughts and desires.  Allow access to your scars and wounds.  Then allow access to your heart.  He, in turn, will follow your lead. 

You (and me too) are Worthy of being treated as the Queens that we are.  But first We must release our Inner Queen.  Exude an aura of royalty and your King shall come!

Be Encouraged. and Blessed my Sisters

A Woman’s Worth

To all my single ladies.  First let me assure you that there is nothing wrong with you.  Being single is

a sign of strength.  Blessed is she who is able to learn to live alone, to get to know herself, to be able to take care of herself and to love herself.  Knowing your worth is the prerequisite to having a healthy relationship.  You must know your worth and set standards for a man to show he is worthy of your consideration. 

Knowing your worth means that you don’t go chasing after anyone.  Your mere presence will draw potential mates like flies.  But we have to brush away the flies to allow the real prize access.  Now, giving access does NOT mean access to the gold between your thighs.   Hold off on that.  Allow access to your innermost thoughts and desires.  Allow access to your scars and wounds.  Then allow access to your heart.  He, in turn will follow your lead. 

You (and me too) We are Worthy of being treated as the Queens that we are.  But first We must release our Inner Queen.  Exude an aura of royalty and your King shall come!

Be Encouraged. and Blessed my Sisters

5 Reasons Why Every Woman Should Travel Alone at Least Once

In contrast of being founder and organizer for the Globe Trotting Divas of Philadelphia Travel Club, one of Philadelphia’s most active Women’s Only Travel Clubs where group travel is our focus, after taking my first trip to Jamaica alone in September 2016, I attest that every female traveler should try traveling alone at least once.

It was Negril, Jamaica I traveled to and stayed for 6 days @ Riu Negril All-Inclusive Resort. Before arriving I had conducted in depth research and created a well thought out itinerary of how I would spend my time and navigate throughout the island. I felt perfectly safe but I should also note that this trip to Jamaica would make my 7^th visit but first time traveling to the island alone. After my return home I felt renewed, restored and ready for my next solo vacation. 

Here’s why woman should experience solo travel at least once…

Over Come Fear

Traveling alone affords the opportunity to overcome fear. If your biggest fear of traveling alone is safety in depth research of your host destination is the obvious. But upon arrival apply common sense during your journey. After all, there are some places right in your current place of residence that you know not to be at after a certain hour. Will the same not apply while traveling? Familiarize yourself with the laws of the country you’ll be visiting as well.

Another fear you’ll overcome is the fear of speaking with strangers. My oh my I quickly became used to speaking with and holding great conversations with great people that once appeared as total strangers!

Build Your Own Schedule

Now, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE group travel! But traveling alone allows you to be on your own schedule. Sightsee at your leisure, sleeping in or rise with the sunset, hang out with locals without your friends asking more questions than the FBI. Whatever it may be the choice if yours and no confirmation is needed.  

Recreate Yourself  

The most important moment you’ll have while traveling solo is the opportunity to regroup, rethink and recreate yourself. While traveling solo in Negril I took a day to inhale new thoughts and clear my mind and reflect on things that required my attention.  I was at a peace of mind and took the day to write out my thoughts, plans and reflections on life. 

You’ll Meet New People

Go ahead and book without your friends! You’ll meet new people along your journey. During my trip I met lots of wonderful people from all over the world that were visiting Jamaica during the time I was. I danced, took a tour and ate lunch with complete strangers.  And later those strangers became friends whom I still connect with. For someone like myself who can be extremely shy being social with strangers certainly caused me to come out of my shell and the one thing I discovered was that it’s OK! 

You’ll Build Self Confidence

Traveling solo will help build your self-confidence.  It pushes you to dismiss the limits you set for yourself. You’ll find that zip lining brings out the adventure side you’ve kept bottled up and that eating snails isn’t so bad after all and traveling through the city alone without your friends or significant other is actually a great idea because you can sightsee at your leisure. Even more, you’ll discover that you can’t wait to do it all again!

Have you traveled solo? What was your experience? What would you like to add?

Anitra Byers

Travel Professional/Travel Blogger

Wallet Happy Vacations

The Globe Trotting Divas of Philadelphia