Time to zen out...

October 27, 2025

It's about two months since my last post, and time is running along like a turtle!

Kidney disease is a waiting game, I'm doing ok until I'm not, and no one knows when that will be. My previous doctor thought I'd be on dialysis by December if I didn't get a kidney, but my current doctor says I can stay where I am for several months, or not....As someone who likes to plan, the suspense is killing me!

My GFR is holding steady at 16, which is better than 13 or 15 at least. September was spent realizing I couldn't keep working in the same style that I'd been, racing out of the house some mornings at 8:30am or 9am barely awake or pushing myself and sitting at the computer for hours on end. I can't rush around anymore, nor sit at a computer for 6 hours straight - it all really takes a toll.

Work has been very supportive and I don't have to be anywhere before 11am. I work from home before 11am, but don't physically have to be anywhere before then.

It really made a difference already. Within two weeks of a new calmer routine my kidney function went up by 1 from 15 to 16. It's very small increase but it's in the right direction - And I felt much better. It wasn't easy at first, I felt like I was being lazy, but now I'm getting used to working in a more relaxed fashion. My mind is still fast and on top of things but I had to slow down the physical and find a balance with my exercise classes.

I'm now doing pilates once a week, Gold Gym with a trainer twice a week and aquatic pilates once a week. It's all really helping. The hope is to be in great shape for when I have surgery.....

No news yet on a match. I've had 5 friends/family rejected for various reasons. I am still hopeful as I have one more friend who is applying or applied recently. If you or anyone you know has the slightest bit of interest in being a life saving kidney donor you can fill out the questionnaire here

https://www.uclakidneydonor.org/-

They do not tell me if you apply, and its not a commitment, it's just finding out if you could possibly be a donor. And of course I am eternally grateful for anyone even considering it.

If I have to go on Dialysis, it is a life saver, but it also shortens your life. After asking my current doctor several times, I finally got information no one wanted to tell me - dialysis is like a mini-trauma / heart attack on the heart every time you do it. Yikes, at least he was honest with me. The average life span on dialysis is 5 to 10 years. I'm not dwelling on the worst case scenario but I do want to be prepared, so I am working on all the paperwork now, will, advanced directive etc.

One last bit, a good friend suggested I start a caring bridge site, so that once I am either ready for surgery or very sick and need dialysis I could get the word out to friends quickly if I need help. So my next project is getting that together.

I'll be sure to put the link up once that is ready.

That's about is for now. Just waiting, trying to be more zen and exercising.

You'll find me most days in my back yard in Venice with the kitties enjoying the weather and working from my lounge chair. Please stop by if you're in the neighborhood!

MARCELLO