Good news with labs

[drmind]

I get my labs every six to eight weeks and the latest ones came back today. I got a little bit of a Christmas present because the GFR and Creatinine continues to go in the right directions. My GFRs have been 23, 24, 27, and today its 29. The Creatinine numbers have been 1.92, 1.84, 1.75, and today it was 1.58. Nothing outstanding but slowly going the way we want. Seven weeks ago, I added more vegetarian meals to my diet plus two meals with meat once a week. This was based on advice from my nephrologist. So far, it looks as if this diet may be helping. I do have to admit it was difficult to stick with the diet, but I did for the most part. I'm not expecting any major lab changes in the future, but I'd be overjoyed if i could get back in the GFR 3b zone. Phew! Happy Holidays everyone. Stay safe and hope we all have a healthy New Year.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hi drmind,

Good things are meant to be shared! Delighted to hear your news!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season filled with good health and joy!

Always in your corner!

Bet

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Good that things going in correct direction, and the diet helped you. Have a wonderful Holiday Season also.

[Sophiebun11]

Merry Christmas drmind!!!! That's great news. Anything in the right direction is worth celebrating, but not with a big steak or high protein LOL!!!! It looks like it may just be a good New Year for you if you stick to the veggie-based diet. It has already shown you it works. Given more time it could very well get you back over the hump and into 3B. Great news, thanks for sharing, I love hearing good updates!!!

👍😀👍😀👍🐇🐇🐇🐇

[drmind in reply to Sophiebun11]

I dont eat steak or any red meat. Instead for my two "meat" meal each week, I usually eat a small piece of baked flounder with lemon and a few capers or a very small piece of baked chicken (1/4 size of a card deck), low sodium swiss cheese and crackers, or a fried pepper and onion omelet. I've started not to like meat, per se, and have given up ham, steak,and pork. Bless you for liking steamed veggies and quinoa, but I'm not there yet. I spent most of my life as a meat and potatoe cook. So, this vegetarian diet is a major process and I'm evolving slowly. So far. I've changed but not as fast as I would like. Only thing I can do is not stop trying or get overwhelmed. And, It's easy to do with all the various restrictions. BTW my sodium level was low (?) while everything else fell within normal limits. I may have to up my sodium intake.

Best to you. Always like hearing from you.

[citruskayaker in reply to drmind]

My diet is similar to yours and I'm waiting to see my next results. Low sodium is awesome! How did that happen? I'm kind of jealous, but more than happy for you! Thanks for sharing.

[drmind in reply to citruskayaker]

Not sure how I got the sodium down so low. I do watch it a lot and read labels, but I'm not that cautious. It's odd, too, that I crave salty things at times and will indulge a little. Anyway, nothing like CKD to get us to wonder what our bodies are telling us. And, our bodies are always telling us how very different we all are while none of us want to believe that. Best to you....

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Sophiebun11]

Agreed, Sophie! You are so terrific!

Enjoy the holidays!

🌞

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hang in there with the vegetables! It's an acquired taste and creative kitchen.

I roast diverse veggies such as cauliflower, onions, peppers, zucchini, eggplant carrots and even asparagus on a cookie sheet using olive oil PAM, onion, garlic powders and organic smoked paprika. Any spice you like should do.

Sometimes I will drizzle some Ken's Lite olive oil and red wine vinegar salad dressing on prior to roasting to give them a different taste.

Eat them with hummus as a meal.

Just a thought.

Happy Holidays again!

[Marvin8 in reply to Bet117]

Do you supplement with essential amino acids?

[drmind in reply to Marvin8]

Marvin: I'm not sure if you were asking me or Bet117 about supplements. Anyway, I don't take any. My labs show I'm ok with protein, etc. Aside from my twice a week "meat" meal, I also make split pea soup that I often use for lunch. If I'm not mistaken split pea soup is a complete protein. Hope this helps.

[citruskayaker in reply to Bet117]

Yum!

[drmind in reply to Bet117]

Thanks for the recipe tip. I often eat grilled veggies as its a great way to prepare them. Merry Holiday to you and a safe and healthy 2022.

[RoxanneKidney]

Just go vegan. It is SO worth it. Happy Holidays. Great job!

[pheebee]

Well done, that's great news. I'm so pleased for you.have a happy Christmas and 2022.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Oh my Drmind, Great news and what a way to start the New Year. All the best to you.

[MSWwv]

I love to hear this for you. Hoping to see some of the same with all my lifestyle changes. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a happy healthy New Year.

[Darlenia]

Way to go, Drmind! You took your health into your own hands and it's made a difference! It's a blessing when one is proactive, not in denial, and can turn negatives around. Inspirational! Keep on keeping on. Have a wonderful holiday season!

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Merry Christmas!! So glad your diet changes seem to be doing the trick. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing your results.

[RhenDutchess123]

Congratulations !!...Merry Christmas Everyone !!

[jodaer]

Congrats on the great lab results, congrats on converting to vegan. What a great Christmas gift to yourself

[Tony_Mimicted]

Congratulations, I hope you, your family, my family and everyone would continue to be in good health

[Jayhawker]

Wonderful news!

[nascar4433]

Terrific news! Keep up the good work! I know from my own recent experience it's not that easy to switch your lifelong way of eating to healthy, plant-based eating. Trying to replace packaged convenience food with plant-based isn't as easy as it sounds if you weren't a healthy eater to begin with (I was not!). Balancing plant-based with low-protein, low-sodium, low-residue, low-potassium diets has been very challenging for me. Met with my nutritionist again yest and it was helpful as we Hine down what works. She was kind enough to build a document of a what I CAN have in each category (protein, fruits, veggies, etc.) that takes into account each specialized diet I need to pay attention to in order to keep everything balanced out. Like fruits that are OK for potassium, etc. aren't ok for low-residue. I've been compiling all these different lists and getting more and more confused, so having it narrowed down to a minimalist list of approved foods (that I like) is very helpful. No more going to multiple lists of low/med/high potassium foods and deciding what works one but not another, etc. It may sound boring, but for me I think it'll be easier to manage...if it's not on the new list, I can't have it!!!