#SlowItDownCKD 2024

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Getting High Doesn’t Bode Well

National High Potassium Day is May 1st. Yes, I do know I’m a bit early with this information, but I’ve noticed I’ve been late for special days more than I’d like to have been. Better early than late, I reasoned. Now, let’s find out exactly what National High Potassium Day is. The American Association of Kidney Patients [AAKP] explains: “Join together on May 1 (5.1) each year to learn and share…

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A, B, C

Last week, I sat with Austin Mill, APRN [Advanced Practice Registered Nurse], the Director of Patient Experience at the Innovative Diabetic Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. We discussed Cystatin C. Sure, I’ve heard of it before and, yes, I’ve even written about it a little bit. But after this discussion, it seems far more important. As to what it is, it’s a way of measuring the health of your…

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The Change

Yesterday was our 12th anniversary. I should have gotten Bear a gift of the 12th anniversary traditional silk or linen. I didn’t. He’s in a rehabilitation hospital recovering from a fall that cracked three ribs which affects his breathing. Me? I’m in bed at home with a bad cold. But I did start reminiscing about all we shared since the wedding. You know, people like my brothers, their wives, our…

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In the Beginning…

Today is the last day of National Kidney Month here in the U.S. It’s also the last day of Women’s History Month here, in the UK, and Australia. I wondered if I could honor both by writing about the woman who initiated helping others in the chronic kidney disease world. Let’s see how I do. Have you ever heard the name Ada DeBold? That’s who I’m referring to. The National Kidney Foundation has the…

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A New Skill

I’ll tell you about it after I remind you that March is National Kidney Month. How about getting your urine and blood checked to see if you have chronic kidney disease or, if you know you do, what your status is. It’s worth that little pinch in your arm to save a life, especially if it’s yours. On to my new skill. I have finally learned, at the age of 78, to waste time. Now, you need to remember…

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Tell Us About It

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!  It’s also National Kidney Month here in the United States. With all due respect to Saint Patrick, it’s National Kidney Month that we’ll be dealing with today. Specially, it’s Kidney Stories Toastmasters. But first, an explanation of Toastmasters from their website: “Since 1924, Toastmasters has been inspiring people to confidently communicate through regular practice…

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World Kidney Day

We know this is an annual event. This year it takes place on the 13th of this month since it’s always the second Thursday in March. The following information for this year’s World Kidney Day is directly from their website. But do read on passed this information to see what’s happening on that day. “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect early, protect kidney health [Gail here: that’s this year’s…

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Earlier or Later Makes No Difference, But ....

In Arizona, we don’t make use of daylight saving time [DST]except for in the Navajo Nation since it spans several states. It’s amazing how much confusion DST can cause, although TimeandDate.com succinctly explains how widely daylight savings time is practiced: “Daylight Saving Time is now used in over 70 countries worldwide and affects over one billion people every year. The beginning and end…

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Death Rears Its Ugly Head

The Medical Dictionary defines shock as: “a sudden disturbance of mental equilibrium” That is a pretty accurate description of what happened when I got the call from my sister-in-law that my brother had died. We’d been expecting this for weeks, but oh, it was a shock anyway. The same site goes on to explain that shock: “is associated with a dangerously low blood pressure” I can understand…

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Black History Month

Bet you thought I forgot to write about Black History Month this year. I didn’t, but as usual, I’ll be taking a little liberty with the history part. In fact, rather than name doctors, I’ll be writing about Black issues in nephrology. My first stop was The American Kidney Fund. They had the facts: Photo by Thomas Nguka on Pexels.com “African Americans are more at risk for kidney failure than…

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 Make It Work

Last year, I wrote about Ozempic not being for those with type 1 diabetes. Keep in mind that diabetes is the foremost cause of CKD. Recently, I read that the FDA approved Ozempic for use in type 1 diabetes. Yep, my mind was blown. I couldn’t understand how that was a good idea now when it hadn’t been just last year. So, you and I are going to explore this as best we can with the governmental…