When I went back onto haemodialysis I was told by the doctor that I needed to build up my strength and stamina. This would help in the future for a transplant and it would also help my with the dialysis treatment.
So I started to exercise. I have always enjoyed exercise, sport and the outdoors but had been unable to do much due to being ill with low energy levels during my final year of my last transplant. It took quite a lot of resolve to get going - my parents were very supportive. I started by doing small works in the countryside with them building up the distance of a couple of months. My dad and I then did some longer day walks which were great - mostly on Dartmoor and around my parents home nr Lyme Regis. This made me a lot fitter and stronger.
I then started to run, I have never been keen on running but felt that I should try and get my heart rate up and get a bit more sweat* (See footnote). At first it was a real struggle and I would run for a minute and walk for two and still be exhausted after about a mile. I have built this up over the past 10 months and am now running most days varying from 2 miles to 6 miles. I have entered the Bath half marathon which on the 25 March 2007. This is a good target to aim towards - 13.1 miles - I am hoping that I will complete it - it will be a good achievement if I do.
*Sweating and heart rate. I have found on dialysis that running (sweating) helps to make one feel much better, it seems to get rid of some of the toxins that are in your body, it flushes out the pores helping to prevent the itching which can occur and it also allows me to drink more. I half an hour run causes about 400 ml of liquid to be lost allowing me to drink 400ml. It is interesting that if I start of running feeling thirsty after the run this thirst has normally gone (unless I have dehydrated myself) I put this loss of thirst down to loosing salt in sweat. I would strongly advise anyone on dialysis to get exercising - it is har
Wednesday, 28 February 2007
Getting fit, staying fit for your health
When I went back onto haemodialysis I was told by the doctor that I needed to build up my strength and stamina. This would help in the future for a transplant and it would also help my with the dialysis treatment.
So I started to exercise. I have always enjoyed exercise, sport and the outdoors but had been unable to do much due to being ill with low energy levels during my final year of my last transplant. It took quite a lot of resolve to get going - my parents were very supportive. I started by doing small works in the countryside with them building up the distance of a couple of months. My dad and I then did some longer day walks which were great - mostly on Dartmoor and around my parents home nr Lyme Regis. This made me a lot fitter and stronger.
I then started to run, I have never been keen on running but felt that I should try and get my heart rate up and get a bit more sweat* (See footnote). At first it was a real struggle and I would run for a minute and walk for two and still be naked after about a mile. I have built this up over the past 10 months and am now running most days varying from 2 miles to 6 miles. I have entered the Bath half marathon which on the 25 March 2007. This is a good target to aim towards - 13.1 miles - I am hoping that I will complete it - it will be a good achievement if I do.
*Sweating and heart rate. I have found on dialysis that running (sweating) helps to make one feel much better, it seems to get rid of some of the toxins that are in your body, it flushes out the pores helping to prevent the itching which can occur and it also allows me to drink more. I half an hour run causes about 400 ml of liquid to be lost allowing me to drink 400ml. It is interesting that if I start of running feeling thirsty after the run this thirst has normally gone (unless I have dehydrated myself) I put this loss of thirst down to loosing salt in sweat. I would strongly advise anyone on dialysis to get exercising - it is hard at first but does get easier and you begin to feel much better.
So I started to exercise. I have always enjoyed exercise, sport and the outdoors but had been unable to do much due to being ill with low energy levels during my final year of my last transplant. It took quite a lot of resolve to get going - my parents were very supportive. I started by doing small works in the countryside with them building up the distance of a couple of months. My dad and I then did some longer day walks which were great - mostly on Dartmoor and around my parents home nr Lyme Regis. This made me a lot fitter and stronger.
I then started to run, I have never been keen on running but felt that I should try and get my heart rate up and get a bit more sweat* (See footnote). At first it was a real struggle and I would run for a minute and walk for two and still be naked after about a mile. I have built this up over the past 10 months and am now running most days varying from 2 miles to 6 miles. I have entered the Bath half marathon which on the 25 March 2007. This is a good target to aim towards - 13.1 miles - I am hoping that I will complete it - it will be a good achievement if I do.
*Sweating and heart rate. I have found on dialysis that running (sweating) helps to make one feel much better, it seems to get rid of some of the toxins that are in your body, it flushes out the pores helping to prevent the itching which can occur and it also allows me to drink more. I half an hour run causes about 400 ml of liquid to be lost allowing me to drink 400ml. It is interesting that if I start of running feeling thirsty after the run this thirst has normally gone (unless I have dehydrated myself) I put this loss of thirst down to loosing salt in sweat. I would strongly advise anyone on dialysis to get exercising - it is hard at first but does get easier and you begin to feel much better.
Dialysis and religion
Last nights dialysis went fine, felt a bit light headed at the end but my target weight and blood pressure were ok. I watched a tv programme called "The retreat" which was fascinating, it has taken 6 individuals to Spain to study islam and live in an islamic retreat. This was the 1 of 3 episodes. I actual woke up during the night thinking about something one of the leaders said " Look around you, can you believe that it all can be explained by science - the amazing way things fit together, the beauty...." I have been thinking about this for a long time now and it is beginning to focus my mind more on the importance of oneself and the realisation of onces presence being so fundamentally extraordinary.
When asked by people are you religious - or even when people presume I am religious I feel a sense of trepedation. What should I say - I know that I believe in the above statement but I certainly do not believe in all of the bible or the koran. I find it baffling that so many people beleive it word for word. Indeed I think this increased radicalism from all religions is causing more harm than good. The radicalisation (including the President Bush) places barriers in front of ones eyes and instantly makes one polar to other thoughts and beliefs.
My family comes from opposite sides of the religious spectrum. One member of the family is a priest (in his late 20's) another is an non believer (well a believer in science..) I find both great company and both offer much to the world.
Facing death. I have on a number of occassions occupied the thought of death and I suppose have been pretty close to it from a young age. When I was young death was an event which occurred, it did not carry much baggage and was not feared greatly. As one grows older death becomes more of a hinderance.. I am certainly not afraid of dying, I don't want to die at the moment as I have no pain and live a good life but if it comes well so be it. I don't think I will turn to religion based on the concept that I may go to hell because I believe I have lived a good moral life and have fullfilled my criteria. My main fear of death is more focused on those that I may leave behind, I presume this is a normal thought process but it is amazing how strong that feeling is.
I will come back to the topic of religion and death in a individual post. I think it is an important to think about and it interests me.
When asked by people are you religious - or even when people presume I am religious I feel a sense of trepedation. What should I say - I know that I believe in the above statement but I certainly do not believe in all of the bible or the koran. I find it baffling that so many people beleive it word for word. Indeed I think this increased radicalism from all religions is causing more harm than good. The radicalisation (including the President Bush) places barriers in front of ones eyes and instantly makes one polar to other thoughts and beliefs.
My family comes from opposite sides of the religious spectrum. One member of the family is a priest (in his late 20's) another is an non believer (well a believer in science..) I find both great company and both offer much to the world.
Facing death. I have on a number of occassions occupied the thought of death and I suppose have been pretty close to it from a young age. When I was young death was an event which occurred, it did not carry much baggage and was not feared greatly. As one grows older death becomes more of a hinderance.. I am certainly not afraid of dying, I don't want to die at the moment as I have no pain and live a good life but if it comes well so be it. I don't think I will turn to religion based on the concept that I may go to hell because I believe I have lived a good moral life and have fullfilled my criteria. My main fear of death is more focused on those that I may leave behind, I presume this is a normal thought process but it is amazing how strong that feeling is.
I will come back to the topic of religion and death in a individual post. I think it is an important to think about and it interests me.
What is it going to be about?
I have decided to create a blog for myself, family and friends. The primary aim is to keep people informed of my progress and to perhaps help others who may go through similar medical procedures as me. Let me explain...
I am a 30 year male who has suffered from renal (kidney) problems since the age of 6 months. I will outline more later. Over the coming months it is quite likely that I will receive a kidney transplant from my father, due to medical complications this transplant will require additional treatment before the operation takes place. This treatment is likely to make me feel unwell and also cause me to have to isolate myself for large periods of time due to a reduced immunity.
My aim is to blog my thoughts, ideas, feelings and also to comment on the medical procedures that are taking place. I will try and include photos and diagrams where appropriate. I am keen to share these experiences for those that are interested to help future patients and there families.
If you would like to contact me - please feel free - if I take a while to respond it is probably because I am in hospital and unable to logon.
I am a 30 year male who has suffered from renal (kidney) problems since the age of 6 months. I will outline more later. Over the coming months it is quite likely that I will receive a kidney transplant from my father, due to medical complications this transplant will require additional treatment before the operation takes place. This treatment is likely to make me feel unwell and also cause me to have to isolate myself for large periods of time due to a reduced immunity.
My aim is to blog my thoughts, ideas, feelings and also to comment on the medical procedures that are taking place. I will try and include photos and diagrams where appropriate. I am keen to share these experiences for those that are interested to help future patients and there families.
If you would like to contact me - please feel free - if I take a while to respond it is probably because I am in hospital and unable to logon.
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