How do the eating/drinking restrictions affect you (the spouse/caregiver)?

[Sara]

I like that second one (the one that's not rolling around).  I've seen that used at a lot of other boards and it's nice.   

[kitkatz]

All I know is my hubby and I love each other and we pledged sicker or poorer. So far we have done real good at both! We lean on each other and stagger our way through life.

[angela515]

Right now I am living with my parents, and probably will be until I get a transplant. My dad is diabetic, i'm not however... but I got used to drinking crystal light, and sugar-free jell-o and stuff. My mom cooks normally pretty much, except when she is making potatoes she will try to soak them for me and ask me if I would rather have a sweet potatoe instead of white... she knows I am having trouble keeping my phosphorus under control so stuff she usually add's cheese in, she either doesn't and puts it on the table for everyone to add after, or she'll take out some for me then add the cheese and cook it in. She tries to work my diet into the main meal for everyone. I have 2 kids also, who need lots of milk and cheese and such cause its good for healthy people, so I keep that in mind when I decide things like sometimes when my mom is making something instead of ruining it for everyone ill just have something else, it all works out. 

[angieskidney]

Right now I am living with my parents, and probably will be until I get a transplant. My dad is diabetic, i'm not however... but I got used to drinking crystal light, and sugar-free jell-o and stuff. My mom cooks normally pretty much, except when she is making potatoes she will try to soak them for me and ask me if I would rather have a sweet potatoe instead of white... she knows I am having trouble keeping my phosphorus under control so stuff she usually add's cheese in, she either doesn't and puts it on the table for everyone to add after, or she'll take out some for me then add the cheese and cook it in. She tries to work my diet into the main meal for everyone. I have 2 kids also, who need lots of milk and cheese and such cause its good for healthy people, so I keep that in mind when I decide things like sometimes when my mom is making something instead of ruining it for everyone ill just have something else, it all works out. 

It must be hard when cheese on something looks soooo good and it is right in front of you but you can't get mad because you know your kids need it. I admire your strength!

[Foxys-Boy-Toy]

Maybe it is different for some people, but generally if you take a long hard look at what is allowed and what is not and spend a little time planning the grocery list it isn't too awful hard to find things that everyone likes and can eat. There are exceptions of course, and you may have to give up a favorite, but I love my wife more than I love food so that makes it OK.

I think the hardest part of adjusting in our house was because we have a 14 year old son. As soon as I figured out what all the diet restrictions were and what was OK and what is not, I adjusted to what we buy at the grocery store. I just had to sit down with my son and explain to him why we could not have certain foods in the house any more, and the importance of trying not to keep these items around so as not to cause temptation for my wife.

What my son and I do is treat ourselves by going out for a snack, or picking up treats from the grocery store while my wife is in dialysis and making sure it's all gone before I pick her up from the clinic. It actually turned out to be a good thing, because it is giving me "special" time with my son and helps my son and I find time to bond together. Plus it makes those little treats a lot more special when they aren't just laying around all the time.

As far as extended family like Thanksgiving Dinner, or Sunday night get togethers, my family has been really good about making sure that the meal is OK for my wife, or at least that there is enough of what she can eat and enjoys to eat that she doesn't feel "different" at the dinner table.

[glitter]

I think my husbands diet really affects my habits alot-sometimes I think he is jealous when i eat fresh veggies and salads,and fruit-but I have to lose enough weight to give him a kidney-but it makes me feel very sad,I think there are alot of times i see him watching me drink and that hurts my heart too-I try to not drink but it is very hard-and I do sympathize-and I have no clue what to do about this.

If I eat what he eats -I can't have very much-he has no weight issues,and his cholesterol is 166,so he eats butter by the stick,

cookies etc. and it doesn't make him feel bad to eat in front of me because i could have it-its just cheating....

[Sluff]

Fluid restriction would be the hardest thing for me because I'm pre-dialysis and go through alot of Diet Coke..that will be the hardest thing to give up, and it will be extremely hard to watch others enjoy their drink.

[Sara]

I know what you mean sluff.  Pre-dialysis, Joe drank a LOT of diet Coke also.  That stuff is so bad for you though (for everyone in general).  Maybe you can try to wean yourself off it now so it's not such a shock?