Just sharing

[pelagia]

Yes, we like the good news 

[LightLizard]

 yes, it was a small adjustment of the machine, but it's made a pretty big difference for me, energy-wise. i feel better now than any other time on dialysis. they had me re-program my baxter cycler so i would get two more cups of dialysate per nite. not a big increase, but it does remove more toxins, it seems. now i use three 5 litre bags and one 3 litre for the last fill. the adjustment period was a bit rough, but it was definitely worth it! thanks again, to everyone, for the support and encouragement you give to my wife and myself, too.
love you all!

LL

[breezysummerday]

Tonight  I loaded up a few LL/J songs and listened while I  got creative
in the kitchen with some chicken and veggies for Ray's
after dialysis, day off, nice dinner tonight cuz I love him dinner.
We had a very nice evening....

Soooo glad I've met you J...debs

[The Wife]

How nice to hear you had a nice evening while listening to the tunes Deb. 

Things are so much better now that they've got the right dialysis going.  After W's pacemaker implant at the end of October, his creatinine started to go up.  Well, I didn't realize how long the winter was until this week when Wayne started to feel better.  I hear him playing the guitar in the other room and when I get a chance, I'll learn another song. 

Lots of love to everyone.

 

[The Wife]

I believe we all know the one step forward, six steps back, dance.  And I believe we all know how exhausting it is on us.  As caregivers, all of our attention goes toward our partners and after emergencies, we find ourselves drained. 

No matter how emotionally calm I may sometimes be when going through an emergency or a difficult period, I always find I'm exhausted afterward.  It's as though I've been hit by a speeding truck, turned, spinned, and thrown to the ground.  But I pick myself up, dust myself off, and find my direction once again. 

Through the past few years, I've learned the importance of doing that which brings me peace.  Or joy.  Or both.  I've learned that when the moments are gentle, I need to take the time to nurture myself. 

I find nurturing through my admiration for nature.  Sometimes, I simply sit and observe a flower or the leaves of a branch on a tree.  I listen to the song of the robins, the caw of the crows, or watch the formations of clouds as they drift in the sky.  Or I listen to my breath. 

It's easy to forget to breathe properly when an emergency, or difficult moments or days appear, but through our breath, we can find calmness. 

Take time each day to breathe deeply.  Let your breath expand your stomach as you inhale, and lower as you exhale.  Making this a part of every day will help through the difficult times and bring peace each day.  Taking time out to breathe also helps clarify our mind, which in turn helps us deal calmly with those who work in the medical system.  Instead of reacting out of fear or anxiety, we can speak, listen, and understand from a more grounded place. 

 

[jessup]

Wow
How inspiring
Thanks for the post
I am reflecting your wisdom
I am breathing
Thanks mate
A wonderful and profound post
Bless ya mate
 

[The Wife]

Hello again. 

I thought I'd drop in and tell everyone how wonderful it is to see my husband feeling goooooooooood!  His bones don't hurt, his feet don't feel like they're walking on glass, there are no cramps, and his energy is up.  So much, that he's actually gone out to play music with a friend.  He even cooked me breakfast two days in a row. 

Wow! 

He's out of the apartment and it's not to go to the hospital or for blood work.  It's to have fun. 

Wow again!

We just never know what is around the corner.

Love to all...

 

[monrein]

What terrific news TW.  Long may it continue thus.   

[kitkatz]

Good for you all. Now take a few deep breaths of cleansing air and go do something you enjoy!

[willieandwinnie]

  The Wife. That is such wonderful news.   

[paris]

What wonderful news!  Enjoy another bubble bath while he is out.  I am thrilled he is feeling better. You both deserve some good times.   My cardinals were at my kitchen window this morning and they were chirping away----I thought of you.   

[pelagia]

This is great news!  Is this feeling better associated with the "little adjustment to the machine"  LL mentioned earlier in the thread?  If so, it seems that a little adjustment can make a big difference.  Thank goodness.

[The Wife]

I think the two extra cups of fluid he's taking in each night and the adjustment with the machine is making the difference, plus, he's now getting and drinking Ensure everyday.  I'm diligent about his diet and what I buy or make, and he is too.  But when he doesn't always have an appetite, well, you just don't get the nutrition you need.  Why the joint pain and neropathy stopped bothering him a few days ago is anybody's guess.  Maybe the right dialysis affects this too. 

I'm just so grateful that he's having these painfree days.  Hopefully, things will remain stable and when the weather warms up, we can go out somewhere together.   Now, wouldn't that be nice?  I might even start saving my pennies and when I have enough, I'm going to hand them over to him so he can take me on a date.  I was given a free coupon to Abkhazi Garden from my daughter and would love him to see it too.  I'd also like to see it in May when all of the rhododendroms are in bloom.  Even without the flowers, it's beautiful.  Afterward, I'd love us to be able to enjoy a bite or a cup of tea while sitting on the patio overlooking a gazzillion flowers that have just bloomed.  This would be perfect for the both of us!

I've been dreaming of us going out together for a long long time.  Today, he was doing a bit of tai chi in the living room.  If he keeps feeling the way he is now, he should be able to get some of the muscles in his legs back.  I'm going to hold a vision of him walking along the garden path with me and who knows, maybe this spring, my dream will come true.   

     

Here's the website for the garden:  www.abkhazi.com

Check it out.  It's gorgeous.  Can you see the two of us there together? 

[The Wife]

Here's a photo I took while wandering through the garden on my own last weekend. 

[The Wife]

The Japanese Maple trees on View street are always the first to bloom. 

[The Wife]

Paris - Say hello to the cardinals for me.   Don't you just love the sound of spring?  Usually I hear the robin in the morning but now I also hear her singing at dinner time. What a beautiful voice she has. 

Hope you're having good days.

[LightLizard]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaU8nLIjoy8

 

[kitkatz]

You must be feeling better!   

[pelagia]

Hey, LL, it's says "original" under the icon for the song.  Did you write it? I think so, because it says original.  Great! I like it a lot - both the music and the lyrics.  And nice bit of guitar solo there in the middle.   

[LightLizard]

well thak ya, pelagia. yes, it was one of those songs that just 'wrote itself' - you could say.
once i had the chord progression figured out the words just popped into my head as if they were out there, just waiting for a vehicle.

more to come....

 

[paris]

Light Lizard,  so happy to know you are doing better!  Hope you and The Wife are enjoying the beginning of Spring.   

[okarol]

  Nice LL!

[LightLizard]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCF7Aqxjs1M


 

[breezysummerday]

                   

[pelagia]

I like your music!