Seeing green

Ever notice how when something is brought to your attention, that something starts popping up all over? Like when you buy a new car.  Now, before you get this car you would be hard pressed to spot one. Even at the car lot they seemed to only stock a select few, always in lime green or Avon pink. However, buy one......and they multiply. On the road, there everywhere. Pull into a parking lot, and its pact full of them. Almost like your emitting a sent, attracting them to you like male cats to a female in heat, your surrounded. Think you found a unique ______. Nope, every one's got one, I've got two. You get the picture.

 Why does this happen? Is it that once you have something new, or hear a new word, your more in tune to it, and there for notice it. Is it the marketing genius of  stores everywhere that just make us all want the same things at the same time. Probably both, but it's been happening to me ever since my mom found out she needed a transplant. I'm seeing green everywhere (the ribbon color for kidney disease, everyone has a ribbon now). I have read two articles on organ donation in different papers. I saw a story about a girl who received a transplant, on the TODAY show. I've heard a few stories  about organ donations on NPR, and even a couple adds for kidneycars on there as well.

Though my mom has always monitored her kidney function, I only recall being slightly aware of her doing so. I cant really remember ever hearing very much about organ donation. It has always been there, just more as a peripheral issue. I am an organ donor, and have the mark on my license to prove it. I even donated a few cars to the kidney foundation at my moms urging ( I got more as a tax deduction than it would have been worth in a sale).  DONATE YOUR CAR www.kidneycars.com .

I'm sure the topic had been mentioned on t.v., and written about in newspaper articles numerous times, but for what ever reason it just never took hold of my attention. Now  I am seeing and hearing organ donation everywhere. The other day I even saw a flier up at work for the Great Lost Bear best beer competition that said we need your liver. Sure.... they meant for drinking, but that's not what I read. I read donate your organs (I may have edited it  little too). And now "going green" has taken on a whole new meaning. Even recycling logos I now see as donation logos. So far I have resisted the urge to tweak these slightly, and add my own changes (graffiti not really being my thing, yet) My version looks something like this.

 REUSE: an organ save a life
 REDUCE: the # of lives lost
 RECYCLE: the gift of a healthy organ
 


So the next time you see some add for recycling, or going green, think about organ donation. You'll be surprised how well the two campaigns juxtapose. I hope now that you have read this blog, you too will start seeing green, and think, ORGAN DONATION as well. Hey why bury what someone else can reuse right? Now.... do I mean organs, or am I talking trash.

Kind of morbid, but I thought some what fitting  :0)

YES!!!

YES....Who doesn't love to hear this word? Well, I can think of a few things I don't want this word accompanying.  Like maybe... yes, the boat is sinking and we need to abandon ship. Also, oh yah.... those are bed bugs. Or, yup...that loud noise you heard was your muffler falling off.  O.k., a lot of times I don't want to hear the word yes, but today it was music to my ears. Yes was the word from the transplant committee!! My mom will be able to receive a kidney transplant as soon as they have a compatible donor. Who will that be? Well, we don't yet know. My sister and I have both started the testing. We were both a genetic match (no surprise there), however my sister displayed some hematuria. She will need two more urine samples to come back negative in order for her to continue. My samples have shown above average kidney function (first time being above average anything.. I'll take it) and no sign of hematuria. Since there is such a strong history of kidney disease in our family the committee wants to be extra cautious and double up on some of the tests, so I will be tested again. Better safe than sorry.

On another note, earlier this morning I sent an up-date e-mail to the guys on the Free Beer and Hot Wings show telling them the good news. For those of you who don't know here is a quick re-cap. They are a nationally syndicated radio show. Back in November, because of a topic they were discussing, I sent in an e-mail about my mom needing a kidney. They read it on air which touched off an avalanche of responses from people willing to donate a kidney to my mom. Hard to believe a stranger would be so selfless. Obviously fantastic news for us, since we aren't sure if  the clinic will allow my sister or I to donate. Its nice to know we have options. They have been following the story ever since. Mentioning the story, and bring the topic of organ donation to their viewers attention. This morning was no different. After I sent the update they read it on air, hopefully reaching all those who came forward, and maybe inspiring even more people to consider donating a kidney to others in need (of whom there is no shortage). Any way I just wanted to say THANK YOU AGAIN FREE BEER, HOT WINGS, AND ERIC ZANE.

Still waiting

Yesterday my moms case was presented to the board at the hospital for review. It is their job to decide if my mom can receive a transplant. The last visit we had at the clinic her coordinator seemed very optimistic that she was a good candidate, so there is that. However, the wait is killing me!!! Negative thoughts swirl around in my head, the what ifs start to get the better of me. Then I try to counter with my more reasonable, positive side. I've called twice already, and left messages. I'm fighting the urge to call again, instead I sit and wait. I know they will call as soon as they know something and have a chance, but would they call already.

An encouraging visit

This Tuesday we payed our last visit to the transplant clinic before we find out for sure whether or not my mom will be able to receive a kidney. We met with her pre-transplant coordinator, Heidi Bruce, who has been wonderful to work with. She went over all the x-rays and other tests my mother was asked to complete in the last two months, and was astounded with the speed in which my mother accomplished the task (she had them done in 2 weeks). She said quite often, most people tend to not understand the urgency in this part of the process, or maybe it's a little too overwhelming, and it takes some 4-6 months or longer. Either way, without these tests completed you don't get a kidney.

  This is a hard process (emotionally& physically) for anyone going through it, and like anything it's harder for some more than others, but I still can't imagine not doing what was asked of me asap. Yes Miss Jones we just need you to get those tests done in two months, and we can then review your case and help you get a new kidney. Oh, ya sure I'll try to do that. Two months later, Ahh ...mam...those tests....we can not proceed with out them. Oh yay....sure sure....I'm on it, really. Repeat conversation 2 more times. O.k., mam, are you sure you really want to receive a transplant because we NEED THOSE TESTS!! She also told us of a recent case where a young girl, who was next in line to get a kidney, decided now was a good time for a trip to Mexico. She neglected to tell her doctor, or the transplant team. You guessed it, a kidney became available and no one could find her, it went to someone else. Can you imagine the conversation when she got home. So... Suzy.... we found you a kidney, but we gave it away because you went on VACATION!!  Now, your not expected to put your life on hold while you are on the list. Your wait is usually a long time, but when they tell you your the next on the list, maybe now is not the best time to go to Mexico. Again these limitation, and obligations are a hard reality for some to accept, and I don't mean to shit on people, but if that had been my mom I would have freaked out.

Anyway, to get back on topic, Heidi was able to tell my mom that all her tests looked good, and she's confident that the review board would recommend her for a transplant. So now we wait, (seems to be the theme) and in about two weeks we will get a definitive answer. So far so good!

As for my urine test, I haven't received the results yet. I'll be sure to share as soon as I do.

Jug O' Pee

When I first found out my mom needed a kidney, like every child would (I should hope)  I offered up one of my own.  Like every concerned mom, she said no way. Her concern was a valid one said her doctor,  but it would be worth it to test me anyway.

Fast forward a month and a few blood tests later. Turns out I am genetically compatible, not a big surprise, she is my mom after all.  I'm handed two large jugs and told that they're for the two twenty-four hour urine samples. So why all the pee? Well, they will be use to find out whether or not my kidney function is normal, or if I have, or may have in the future decreased kidney function. They will also be able to tell if I have hematuria (the presence of blood in the urine ) which is what runs in our family.

No big deal, fill a few jugs over a few days from the privacy of my own home. Small price to pay for a chance to save my moms life.  So... down the hall to the bathroom I walk, jug in hand. Then I pass Joel, and a smile cracks across his face, a chuckle follows. It's not everyday you see someone totting around a jug of  pee like it's their precious liquid. I felt like gollem and his golden ring, my precious..... it's golden too.

 After I do the deed I realized that I wasn't sure where to put it, I read the instructions again. IN THE FRIDGE!!! YUCK!!! You want me to do what. I know it's in a jug, and I did put it in another bag, but there it was every time I opened the door, my pee.

This will be gone in a few days Kelley, I told myself, and it's really not that bad. Peeing in a jug doesn't hurt, hardly a sacrifice. Again I was doing it to save a life, well worth it. But, every time I had to grab the jug and walk down the hall to my bathroom I felt just a little humiliated. Even when Joel wasn't there to have a little fun at my expense. For those of you lady's out there who have ever breast fed your baby and used a pump, you may know how I was feeling. I felt the same way every time I made the long walk, just me and my pump. I would sit in my room, cups suctioned to my boobs, brrr..shuuump...brrr....shuuump. Its amazing how defeated and humiliated one can feel even when no one is around to see. Carrying around a jug of my pee, and putting it in the fridge made me feel the same way. Why? I don't know. It's hard to escape the humor of this scene though. Me, holding my pee jug, trying to get it all in there and not on myself, or the floor. Why would you think that pee on the floor is mine Joel, my aim is great, I think it was you.
 Oh, and the little funnel (called a hat) that they give you to make it easier, yah, they forgot to give me that.  What a hilarious site, Saturday Night Live could have a field day with that scene.

 Now I wait two weeks to find out what the results are. In the mean time, my mom has finished all her tests that the clinic needs. She will be seeing her team the 10th of this month, and a few weeks later, provided all the tests look good, she will be able to receive a transplant. We will wait for all the people that came forward to return their packets and then, if my sister and I are not, we will find a compatible donor, hopefully in one of them, our heroes.

Oh the temptations

Since Christmas in right around the corner I thought I would share some kidney friendly recipes, and web sites where you can find some more.

This can be an especially difficult time of year for some. Watching everyone indulge (read gorge) themselves with such treats as honey glazed ham, mashed potatoes, squash, stuffing. Not to mention all the cakes, cookies, pies, chocolates, eggnog, and all the other irresistible treats that will be dangled in front of our faces. Hard enough for anyone to resist in the attempt to avoid a bulging waist line, now imagine being someone who, because of medical restrictions can NOT stray from their diet.

So how can we help so everyone can join in on this epicurean event? With a little planning it can be more than just palatable, it can be delicious too. Be sure to have a little something for each course.

A great way to start is by letting them bring something that they may already like to make. Then find out what their particular restrictions are and go from there. Who knows you may find a fantastic variation on an old favorite. Here are some tasty recipes I have found.

Breakfast:
Breakfast sticky buns: 16 servings, 2 slices per serving
1 packet active dry yeast                                    3 to 3 1/2 c all-purpose flower
1/4 c warm water                                               1/2 c unsalted butter
3/4 cup rice milk, heated to a simmer               1 package(4 servings) butterscotch jello instant pudding
2 tbls sugar                                                        1 tbls ground cinnamon
2 tbls canola oil
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Mix warm rice milk, sugar, and oil and cool to lukewarm. Add 1 1/2 c flour, yeast mixture and stir together. Add enough of the remaining flower to make a soft dough. Turn out on a lightly flowered surface and knead about 8 min. until dough becomes smooth across the top when it is shaped like a ball. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, place in a warm spot, and let it rise about 15 min. Punch down, knead out the bubbles, and shape into 16 balls. Melt butter add butterscotch pudding and cinnamon together. Dip each piece of dough into the mixture and place into a pre sprayed, oiled, non-stick bunt pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning bake at 350f for 40 min or until the dough is browned on top. Let cool, and flip out of the pan.         

Frittata:
8 eggs
1/3 c rice milk                                      1/4 tsp ground sage
1/3 c chopped green peppers                4 vegetarian sausage patties, browned, cooled(optional)
1 tbls chopped chives                            and diced
3/4 tsp dijon mustard                            vegetable oil spray
1/3 c chopped onion                             1/3 c diced swiss cheese (optional)
Whip together all ingredients except the spray. pour into a skillet and bake in a 350f oven for 15 to 20 min or until firm.

Fruit plate: a mixture of some or all of these fruits suggested serving is 1/2 c
blueberries, raspberries, strawberries cut in 1/2, pineapple sliced, cherries, red grapes, and apples sliced

Finger foods:
Horseradish spread:
6 tbls reduced fat cream cheese              1 tsp worcestershire sauce
2 tbls sour cream                                     1 tsp mrs. dash onion herb seasoning
1tps horseradish

cream both sour cream and cream cheese together. Add other ingredients together and serve with Melba crackers(bagel chips), carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, cauliflower, red pepper slices

Filo cups:
3 sheets thawed filo                                                                             cooking spray or drizzle evoo
2 tbls melted unsalted butter                                                               1 tbls mrs.dash onion herb seasons
1/2 med summer squash, onion, zucchini, and red pepper diced        Parmesan cheese
1 inch mini muffin tin
Roll out filo and butter each sheet, layering them while buttering. cut into 2 1/2 in X 2 1/2 in squares. Meanwhile, dice and saute your veggies with the oil and seasonings. Place filo squares in small inch muffin tin and fill with veggie mix, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in a 350f oven till filo is browned, about 15 min.

Ham and turkey are fine to cook as usual (turkey is better if salt is an issue for your loved one)

Side dishes:
Mashed potatoes: these need to be started the night before. Serving size can be up to a cup

1 sm. head cauliflower chopped and boiled                    white pepper to taste
5-6 med sized potatoes peeled diced and leached           mrs. dash onion herb seasoning(if desired)
3-4 tbls unsalted butter                                                    1/2 tbls garlic and onion powder(not salt)
2-3 tbls sour cream                                                          each if desired and not using mrs. dash                                                          

To leach your potatoes(this is very important) peel and cut into chunks. soak in a pot of water over night, changing the water several times. This cuts the potassium by a third. Boil the potatoes as usual, they will cook a little quicker. At the same time boil the cauliflower till tender. Mash both potatoes and cauliflower together. Start by adding 1/2 the cauliflower at first along with the pepper and other seasonings if desired. Then add the sour cream and butter one table spoon at a time. Adding the ingredients this way helps you find what tastes best to you. I tried a cauliflower mash once as a mashed potato substitute and did not think it was even close. By chance, with my leftovers I mixed the two and came up with this. When mixed with the right portions of potato and cauliflower I couldn't tell that it wasn't all potato. The cauliflower also helps to moisten the potatoes without having to add milk or lots of butter.

Glazed carrots: 1/2 c serving size
 2c carrots, sliced 1" thick                      
1/8 tsp salt
1tbls sugar                       1/4 c apple juice
1tsp cornstarch                2 tbls margarine, melted

Cook carrots in water until tender. Mix together sugar, salt, ginger, apple juice, cornstarch, and margarine. Pour mixture over carrots and water in the pot. Stir until thick.


Deserts:
Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake: portions:8  serving size 1/8         1/2 egg substitute
one 9-inch Nilla wafer crumb pie crust                                    1/2 c pumpkin puree
1 egg white                                                                               1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2  8-oz packages cream cheese, softened                                 8 tbls frozen nondairy topping
1/2 c sugar                                                                                   (like cool whip)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat  oven to 375f. brush pie crust with egg white and bake for 5 min. Reduce oven heat to 350f.
Combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a lrg. bowl and beat with mixer on high until smooth.
Beat in egg substitute. Add pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice and blend until smooth. Pour pumpkin mixture into pie shell and bake 40-50 min. until center is set. Cool pie, then refrigerate.
Cut into 8 slices, and serve with 1 tbls of whip topping.

I hope these give you all a place to start. There are lots of sights out there for more recipe ideas. A great place to start, and my favorite is www.davita.com . They have a great section called kidney-friendly recipes. www.kidney.org has a bunch just click on kidney disease, then a to z heath guide, then nutrition diet, and finally kidney kitchen. Its a lot of clicking but the recipes are worth it.  www.kidneywellbeing.com which is chef Laurence Keogh's web site, and also has great food. He is a chef who had a kidney transplant, and created a free cook book available to down load. I also always have a link to these on the blog. Enjoy!!

I hope you all have a happy holiday.

We'll take more than just your kidney

Just because you may not be ready to part with a kidney doesn't mean you can't donate. If you'd like to, the Kidney Foundation would love to take your car off your hands. Thats right, they want your car too!

No...not the family car (although they would take it if you're offering). You know the one, it's been sitting in the driveway taking up space because it costs too much to fix. The one you're planning on trading in, not because they're going to give you anything for it, but they'll at least get it out of the driveway. Yup...they want that one!

Here's how it works. You contact the Kidney Foundation at www.KidneyCars.org, and they come and take it off your hands, usually in a matter of days. It doesn't matter what condition it's in, trust me. I've donated three cars over the past ten years (I like to drive my cars into the ground). One had a blown engine. Not my fault, well maybe...who knew you should check oil levels? The other one I would have traded in, but they practically laughed me off the lot with it. The last one I donated had been sitting in my yard for four years, and consequently needed so much work done after that amount of time I couldn't afford to fix it. It had been a lovely home for some mice though, till the snake moved in.

Why would they want your junk you ask? Well, they don't, but some scrapper at an auction does. The Kidney Foundation takes them all to auction and sells them (for scrap if it's like mine), and viola, money.

And for you, a tax write off. Once your car has sold someone from the foundation will call. They'll let you know what it sold for, and send you some papers (and a cool bumper sticker) you can give to your accountant (you keep the sticker). He/she/or you can then turn this into a tax deduction, aka less money you owe the government. We all know why this is good. Win win.

You see, it's not just your kidneys they'll take off your hands, though if your offering you do have a spare.... Your car can make a big difference too.

So the next time you get a new car, or notice your trashy neighbor(me) has too many cars not moving from their yard, give the Kidney Foundation a call. And don't forget to tell your friends... and that neighbor.

Right now my other cars are saving a life.