It's Me Again

Hello...

I'm recovering pretty well from that last surgery. I had a small setback and ended up in the ER Monday, but I'm ok now. You know how people get fat ankles and feet? That's common amongst kidney patients (though that hasn't happened to me for almost 3 years) and somehow, during dialysis, they take the extra fluid out of your body. Extra fluid in your body for too long, can be fatal, especially if it pools around your heart or lungs.

Well, I usually gain about 3 kg of fluid between treatments. That sounds like a lot, but it really isn't. There are people who come in with 9-11 kg of fluid each treatment. Well every once in awhile, they take too much off and that's what happened Monday. Basically I was severely dehydrated.

When you're severely dehydrated you get dizzy, your blood pressure drops, you get disoriented. You're basically in a fog. Well, that was me. It was by the grace of God that I felt none of that on the drive in.

I'm pretty sure I scared the crap outta my boss when I called him and said I needed to go to the ER.

Well, I'll say this...after they saw my BP was 78/52, I got a room in back immediately! A bit of saline through the IV and 3 hours later I was heading home. Been taking it slow since.

I figure if you're stopping by here, you're probably either taking a break from cooking, about to start cooking or ain't thinking about cooking, LOL. I'm sitting here plotting what to make.

We always eat at my mother's house, but I always fix a smaller dinner for home, for the rest of the week. I enjoy cooking, but I don't always have the energy. For some reason I perk up between Thanksgiving and Christmas and even do some baking.

I know a lot of people had Ma Dear, Granny or Grandma to learn from in the kitchen, but not me...nor did I stand side by side with my mom, learning recipes. So I'm basically learning on my own and leaning on recipes I've found on the internet.

My absolute, positively favorite recipe site is Divas Can Cook. Monique has recipes and videos to go along with most recipes and the food is GOOD!!!

Don't go in thinking it's that new fangled fat free, low cal stuff either. I think if you don't eat soul food like that regularly, there's not a thing wrong with splurging on the holidays! (says the fat chick, LOL)

Monique's recipes are pretty easy to follow, so if you're kitchen challenged, this could do wonders! Her website, which started as a blog, again is Divas Can Cook.

Well, I'm out of here! Enjoy your holiday and fellowship with friends and family.

Oh and if you're an Urbansoulz Radio fan, I don't think there will be live shows this week, but there will be podcasts available on Spreaker at http://www.spreaker.com/page#!/show/urban_soulz_radio

Tipping back in...

Well, so much for blogging every day in October...

I did so well in the beginning. I've been off work this week. I had yet another surgery last Friday. This time I had a graft put in my arm.

As if I'm not scarred up enough already. *shrug* Gotta do what I gotta do though.

I'd been feeling better and better as the week progressed although I've been sleeping later and later in the mornings. I think I got out of bed at 1 something yesterday, but 11 today.

I've already taken a nap though. I've been reeeeal tired today. My arm that the graft is in got really tired and achy and I've had cramps all day.

I didn't think they took too much fluid off me last night, but maybe they did.

I don't think I've ever described how it feels the day after too much fluid has come off.

The last 12 hours have been like this...lay down, get comfy all in the covers and a cramp starts pulling in my thigh. I straighten it out and the cramp moves down to my calf. I get up and the cramp moves down to my foot. I get in a hot shower to relax my muscles.

Finally comfortable, fall asleep. Wake up with a muscle in my side pulling. Twist around to stretch it out, get a "charlie horse" in my stomach (It's been a joy to get those since I had my lap band surgery).

Bottom line, I've not really had any rest...Literally every part of my body has cramped at some point.

I'm looking at my pinky finger pulling to the left right now.

Ever had a "charlie horse" in the jaw? If you can imagine how it pulls your calf/thigh area, except just under your jawbone.

Gotta admit, it definitely stays interesting...

Ok, so if you aren't doing anything tonight, check out the Urbansoulz House Party, tonight from 9-11 pm eastern. If you want to chat, the chatroom is at www.urbansoulzradio.webs.com if you just want to listen, hit our page on Spreaker http://www.spreaker.com/page#!/show/urban_soulz_radio

If you aren't busy tomorrow night, check out an Urbansoulz Exclusive.

Call in with your questions for Maysa.

When you finish, come join us at www.urbansoulz.com!