Eat, Drink and pee Merry

I’m back at the Kidney Walk again this year, this time with a new name for my team: Eat, Drink and pee Merry!

After years as “The Lew Crew” I decided we needed a new team name that would reflect why I walk.  It isn’t about me anymore but about what can happen when patients become healthy again.  

Besides being playful and celebratory, there’s a lot packed in that name.

Since my transplant, I love to eat again.  Nothing tastes metallic anymore, and I no longer have dietary restrictions.  Drinking plenty of water is a freedom I can enjoy again without worrying my ankles may swell up because my failed kidneys can’t remove the excess fluid.

And well pee, you know it’s hard for me not to mention that on my blog every so often.  Pre-transplant I was hardly making trips to the bathroom anymore – maybe only once a day. Failed kidneys just aren’t able to remove the toxins and excess fluid like healthy kidneys do (thus the need for dialysis).  So any kidney transplant recipient will tell you Urine a good place when you can pee!  😜

So there you have it.  A new team name and now a design to go with it.  We’ve decided we’re making a team T-shirt every year as well.  I hope next year, when we can come back together in person as a community for the Kidney Walk (fingers crossed), you’ll join Team Eat, Drink and pee Merry.  By the way, we won the “most creative team name” contest. 😄

If you’d like to donate or learn more about why I walk, please visit my Walk page.  We’re about $600 shy of our fundraising goal.  

If you’re wondering, a virtual pandemic-era Kidney Walk means I can walk anywhere, anytime with my friends.  Yesterday I gathered with a few friends to walk the shores of Alameda.  I hope to get together with more of you in the weeks ahead to take more steps.  (If you’re not yet vaccinated let me know when you do, and I’d love to meetup!)

Team Eat, Drink and pee Merry taking steps in Alameda, CA

Happy Kidney-versary / Un-kidney-versary to Us!

Superman came into town over the weekend so I grabbed the chance to take this photo of us for my blog.  There’s four kidneys between the two of us:  three for me and one for Superman. 🙂  More on how he’s powering through life with his one bean in an upcoming blog post.

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Two weeks ago I turned 50. Two weeks from now my kidney turns one (technically 31 since Kidney Bean was 30 when I “adopted” her.)  So, Happy kidney-versary to me! And Happy Un-kidney-versary to my Super Donor!   

Since our surgeries last May, I’ve been out sharing about my experience, giving my patient perspective, teaching others about kidneys, helping plan the National Kidney Foundation symposium in Palo Alto, CA, and nagging everyone around me to get his/her kidney function checked.  Can you tell I’m still passionate about fighting the disease and getting the word out?  It’s not just about getting YOU checked for this largely undiagnosed disease (as it was for me).  It’s also about:

• providing support for patients and families
• getting behind talented scientists’ research
• advocating in government for better healthcare coverage
• educating healthcare teams for better treatment

In early June,  I will be participating again in the NKF East Bay Kidney Walk. If you’re free, please come join us! We would love to see you!   The Walk will be held on Sunday, June 4, at San Ramon’s Bishop Ranch. 

If you’d like to help me reach my fundraising goal, please go to my Kidney Walk page.  

Hugs to you all,

Doris

 

Reporting Live from Bishop Ranch…

Wasn’t that a nail biter!  My son told me not to make so much noise during the game, which is unusual for me because I’m not even much of a basketball fan.  But it’s hard not to watch the Warriors and go a little crazy.

Go Dubs!

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Thank you for supporting my Kidney Walk Sunday.  Clear, blue skies and 80ºF weather made for the perfect backdrop for a nice mini 5k; I say “mini” because it was really more of a 2-mile stroll in San Ramon’s beautiful Bishop Ranch.  Apparently some construction prevented NKF from circling all the way around the full 5k route.  With my anti-UV umbrella in hand, and good friends to accompany us, we made it to the end.  I think we were among the last to cross the finish line but who cares!  At the end there was still a cheering section celebrating the Lew Crew, “Woo hoo!  You did it!  Way to go, Mary Poppins!”

Among my dear group of family and friends was my friend Alyssa who turned 17 this week.  Happy Birthday, Alyssa!  It’s been a privilege to watch you grow up to become such a generous, thoughtful, compassionate young lady.

Not only did she come out with her family to support me and The National Kidney Foundation, she is also supporting Kids Against Hunger as part of her birthday celebration.  By the way, her mom Pat was the one who made my front porch beautiful while I was in the hospital.

And I’m extra proud of Alyssa because for her Physiology class, she made a video about kidney disease and my journey with CKD.  If you’re new to my blog (and even if you’re not), watch her video; it’s a good summary of my kidney story the past few years. Plus you’ll learn a little bit about kidney disease.

When you’re done, give a shoutout to Alyssa and wish her a happy birthday!

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p.s. For once I have no title for this blog post – writer’s block.  If you have any ideas, let me know.

Kidney Walk 2016

 

 

The Kidney Walk?  Three weeks after transplant surgery?

YES!

I walked the last two years, and I’m determined to walk this year too.  I assumed I wasn’t going to be able to make it, but now that I’m recovering well, I think I can do it.  It may take me longer than everyone else, but I will make it to the finish line!

So would you support me by donating to my Kidney Walk?  And if you’re free on June 5th come join us!  San Ramon’s Bishop Ranch is so beautiful.  (We’ve switched over from the San Francisco Walk to the East Bay Walk this year.  It gives me one more week to get stronger.)

I know my goal is crazy high.  But if I aim high we’ll just raise that much more for the NKF.  Besides last year I came in 4th place in the top fundraisers club.  Help me get 1st place this year!!! 

I have volunteered with the NKF and believe in what they do.  Not only am I affected by kidney disease, 1 in 10 Americans have it too!  But of those, only 1 in 10 know they have it.  I was among those who didn’t know until my kidneys were too far gone.  So we have to get the word out!

Thanks everyone for all your support!

– Doris (and Mr. Bean, my new kidney)

Click here to go to my Kidney Walk page 

P.S. – Marty is feeling a whole lot better. 🙂

The Kidney Walk around the 9th floor