La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
This is simply to bring you up to date on what is being done about my immediate health issues. My dear, oldest friend Josephine (since I was 15), in Sicily, specializes in the mental and physical health of patients with organ transplants. The immunosuppressants I’m on are exactly what are given to those patients. My diet and lack of involvement with a mental health professional has been making her a little crazy. She reminded me that both the chronic disease and immunosuppressants “cause (or exacerbate pre-existing) depression.” I was relieved to be able to tell her today that I have an appointment with a psychiatrist Wednesday of this week. I’ve avoided calling it kidney disease, but I have finally gotten it through my thick head that, yes, it is kidney disease. It’s just not any of the five levels of kidney failure.
I’m awaiting an appointment with a dietician or nutritionist. That hasn’t been so easy. In the meantime, I can simply return to the correct diet for a diabetic. I know how to do that. I just haven’t bothered because it’s been under control. However, there is a bit of good news. My A1C numbers have always been normal. Those are the numbers that measure the average glucose levels in the blood over a period of three months. So, overall, things are good.
The top photo is a watermelon San Geraldo purchased yesterday. I dropped it in that bowl without thinking. A perfect fit. A bit too perfect, but it didn’t get stuck. Have you ever had cotton candy (candy floss) grapes? They’re delicious and taste a lot like cotton candy. Also fine for diabetics. But if I’m confessing all, I did have Ines Rosales tortas (click here) after lunch. This time, San Geraldo called them Tito Puente (click here).
Moose, one of our two Spanish monarchs, opens and closes this blog post.
Moose, one of our two Spanish monarchs, begins and ends this blog post.
Esto es simplemente para ponerlo al día sobre lo que se está haciendo con respecto a mis problemas de salud inmediatos. Mi querida y vieja amiga Josephine (desde que tenía 15 años), en Sicilia, se especializa en la salud mental y física de pacientes con trasplantes de órganos. Los inmunosupresores que tomo son exactamente los mismos que se les recetan a esos pacientes. Mi dieta y la falta de contacto con un profesional de la salud mental la han estado volviendo un poco loca. Me alivió poder decirle hoy que tengo una cita con un psiquiatra el miércoles de esta semana. Tanto la enfermedad crónica como los inmunosupresores “causan (o agravan la depresión preexistente)”. He evitado llamarla enfermedad renal, pero finalmente he comprendido que sí, es enfermedad renal. Simplemente no se trata de ninguno de los cinco niveles de insuficiencia renal.
Estoy esperando una cita con un dietista o nutricionista. No ha sido fácil. Mientras tanto, puedo simplemente retomar la dieta adecuada para una persona con diabetes. Sé cómo hacerlo. Simplemente no me he molestado porque la tengo bajo control. Sin embargo, tengo buenas noticias: mis niveles de A1C siempre han sido normales. Esos son los valores que miden los niveles promedio de glucosa en sangre durante un período de tres meses. Así que, en general, todo va bien.
La foto de arriba es de una sandía que San Geraldo compró ayer. La dejé caer en ese recipiente sin pensarlo. Encajó a la perfección. ¿Alguna vez has probado las uvas de algodón de azúcar? Son deliciosas y saben mucho como algodón de azúcar. También son aptas para diabéticos. Pero, si te lo confieso, sí comí tortas de Inés Rosales (haz clic aquí) después de comer. Esta vez, San Geraldo las llamó Tito Puente (haz clic aquí).
Moose, uno de nuestros dos reyes españoles, abre y cierra esta entrada del blog.
• Una vista hacia el sur desde la azotea, de la ciudad y del río, en un día nublado. Nuestro edificio tiene siete pisos, que creo que es el límite en la ciudad.
• San Geraldo probó una nueva receta anoche: Cazuela de pollo y papas al horno con pimientos rojos. ¡Delicioso! Nos sobró para el almuerzo.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
Mental health is as important as physical health. My one disappointment (well one of two) with the care system I was treated in in 2015, was that because I was expected to recover and walk again, they didn’t include any mental health counseling. (And I didn’t demand it, as maybe I should have.)
David:
It’s disapointing that it wasn’t automatically a part of the treatment here, especially with my history.
I’m glad you’ve taken the steps to see some other professionals to get things in order. I do know when it comes to medications for mental health issues, they need to be reassessed periodically.
I HAVE had cotton candy grapes and they’re delicious!! We’ve just discovered the sweetest cantaloups (or they might just be a melon that is similar). We’ve had two brands, both incredible, but the key is to buy the ones in the blue mesh. Seriously, the best we’ve ever had!
Kelly:
What kind of cantaloupes did you discover? My favorite since moving to Spain is piel de sapo (toadskin melon) known as Santa Claus and Christmas melon in the States. I don’t think blue mesh would be a clue here. I’m sure our melons are wrapped differently, if at all.
We’ve had two brands, “pure sweetness” and “sugar kiss”. I think both are varieties grown here. We saved seeds from the latter to try and grow our own next year.
I, too, think you are taking positive steps in the right direction. And I know how hard it is. We all seem to think that we can just “get over it” or that “it will pass” or “it’s not so bad.” And of course we blame ourselves thinking that if we just got more exercise we’d feel so much better! Or think more positive thoughts. Or drink green tea. Or…whatever generally useless drivel we read online. Or in self-help books.
Until we simply realize we have to get some help. So much is chemical-driven, whether those chemicals are from medications or hormones or…lack thereof.
I am proud of you. You should be proud of yourself.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
I keep thinking, “well, I’m still here.” But clearly that’s not enough. Josephine was seriously concerned. I was glad I already had the psychiatrist appointment before she wrote!
I’m glad you’re taking good steps to deal with your current normal and get help doing it. This can only be good.
That cat knows about color, doesn’t he? Great framing. Boud
Boud:
Actually, I think I choose colors based on the cats.
Good on you for looking at all possibilities. I think when we are facing an illness it totally affects our metal health, and vice versa. Again, good on you, and for sharing your story which may help someone else.
That said, that is an odd looking watermelon. I thought it was a bowling ball.
And Moose looks quite regal in that last photo.
Bob:
I don’t know which variety of watermelon this is, but it’s seedless. It may be perla negra. Moose does sit in that chair as if it’s his throne.
Woo hoo for your dear friend in Sicily, giving you great advice 🙂
Never heard of that kind of grapes, and the casserole is intriguing. Moose, I adore.
Judy C:
It amazes me that we’ve been friends since 1969. Josephine was The Kid Brother’s first summer camp counsellor (and an exceptional one). He adored her. I’ve written about her before. She made a huge difference in my life (and obviously she still is). The grapes are so good.
Dealing with and understanding a new health issue takes time……..and accepting it fully takes a little longer. At least that was what I have found.
Happy you are taking the ‘bull by the horns’ and doing what you know is best for you.
LOVE watermelon, no matter what colour it is!
Hail King Moose!….looking so comfy.
Oh, and that view from your roof is very interesting.
Jim:
And adjusting to the fact that this is my life now is taking time! This watermelon is especially juicy. I need to take my other camera to the roof for better zoomed shots.
Moose in the last picture looks like a monarch too!!!!! Such a look and posture!!!
Hang in there friend. Hopefully you’ll be back to your old self in no time. I just yesterday had the most delicious watermelon…and I suspect may be my last of the season. I just about ate the whole container That I cut up from the day before.
Mistress Borghese:
That’s exactly what I thought. I think it’s what Moose thinks, too. This watermelon is sweet and incredibly juicy (watery?).
I would never have guessed that round, ugly thing in the bowl was hiding delicious watermelon inside it!
Keep your chin up, Scoot, you’re making progress on your health issues… and therapy can be very helpful when dealing with chronic illness.
Tundra Bunny:
Yes, I thought the watermelon looked bizarre once I dropped it in the bowl. I still only have one chin to keep up and I’m doing it (sometimes). Thanks!
Good for you for taking care of yourself. All docs is quacks but I hope yours are helpful.
Urspo:
And, sadly, I’ve had some quacks. I hope this one is not.
Well, you’re still able to produce an entertaining and intriguing blog on a regular basis despite your health issues, so that’s all to the good.
Oh, thanks, Kirk. I’ve been feeling mostly unentertaining and not the least bit intriguing.
Cotton candy graphs….For me they tast no good at all 😉
Elin:
Have you had them or is it just the name that puts you off?
Have tast them and don’t like them.
A good therapist is worth their weight in gold. I’ve had several of the years, one for decades until he retired. Mental health is so important, especially with how our world is unraveling. It just feels like the levels of deep anxiety are going in places never before realized. Best of luck!
Rade:
And what’s going on in the world doesn’t help anyone’s mental health.
You are so talented that you can plop a watermelon into a bowl and–BANG!–it becomes art. I really did think it was a sculpture at first. As for life, health, and stuff, yeah, ain’t it a bitch. I, too, am coming to grips with certain limitations I now have (I turn 71 this year) and it’s not at all pleasant. Still, I have to remember I am doing quite good, esp. given that I’ve never taken very good care of myself, and people younger than me are doing a heck of a lot worse. I’m the only member of my family left, but I’m still here, dammit, and intend to stay that way. I also remember that my maternal grandmother lived till 108… and someone had to inherit her genes.
wickedhamster:
We find art in the most surprising places. Yeah, life can be a bitch. This kidney disease really shook things up. From out of nowhere. I can be proud though, it’s very rare and more usually hits 30- to 50-year-olds. So I have it because I’m so seemingly young and fit. Do you want to live to 108???
That looks like an excellent watermelon which reminds me I have a small one in the fridge over in the shop.
It’s good that you are seeking help. Since I’m new to your blog there’s a lot I don’t know about your health. Did you have a kidney transplant?
ellen abbott:
I have a type of kidney disease called membranous nephropathy, diagnosed mid-2024. I went into the hospital April 2024 thinking I was dying (the hospital thought so, too). I had been having a lot of symptoms for months, including fluid retention that kept getting worse. Antibodies are attacking the kidney wall and causing protein to be released from my body instead of being used. At first it was all of the protein but is now much improved (enormously improved). Still a long way to go. The medication used to treat it is the same medication used for organ transplants and that, of course, brings with it a slew of side effects (plus no immunity). Thankfully, a team of doctors figured out what was happening. It’s been a long, slow road. You can go back to April 2024 blog posts if you want to read more, but that about sums it up. It’s very rare and I console myself with the fact that it’s more common in people aged 30 to 50.
My sister has lupus, and has the same condition. I’m not sure what – among a whole host of drugs she takes to combat the autoimmunity – she’s on to treat it. Jx