Traveling post-transplant has been... interesting. I keep expecting there to be somewhere I'm supposed to be (dialysis) or something I'm supposed to be doing (watching my fluid intake).

The change in climate (from hot/humid to hot/desert) is interesting, too. I feel as if I'm having a really hard time keep hydrated, something I never anticipated having trouble with post-transplant. I keep reminding myself "DRINK MORE WATER!" but even that feels strange!

Better late than never; Ireland just had their first spouse-to-spouse kidney donation/transplant. I'm certainly not criticizing it; I think it's great. But it's a little surprising that since this is relatively commonplace here in the US, that it's just now happening in Ireland.

From Ohio State University comes research implicating stem cells from a donor organ as a cause of cancer in the recipient.

Hello blogger world. Yes, I realize I've been a bit absent from this blog for awhile, but I'm sure you'll forgive me, right?

Yesterday and today I've been feeling really achy. I'm wondering if I'm having another "fibro-flare"... I should count my lucky stars as I haven't really had one since Thanksgiving (all the other chronic pain from other stuff doesn't count..)

I'm working really hard on this site - half of the work is learning how to use Drupal to it's full advantage. I tend to reverse-engineer things which, of course, takes longer than just learning it before trying to apply it.

As of now - 2008/05/28 @ 2242 EST - I realize I need a break. Maybe I'll go watch some TV for once (instead of blogging/Twittering/site-building!)

P.S. If you're reading this from a feed, would you mind coming on over to take my little 10-second survey? I'm interested to know who reads my blog.

Happy Earth Day, everyone! What will you be doing today, this month, every day, or all the time, to celebrate?

Our family is honoring Earth Day in several ways: My son is participating in National Turn off the TV Week (a voluntary effort to raise awareness that life without television is not torture and can even be fun!), my DH is taking our gas-"friendlier" vehicle to work (instead of his sports car), we're all taking special care to remember to turn off our lights, computers, monitors and electronic devices...

...and I'm right here, promoting National Donate Life Month.

What? NDLM and Earth day, together? Am I out of my mind? How could one possibly draw a connection between the two? Here's your answer...

World Kidney Day (WKD) is on March 13, 2008 - "The purpose of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys – an amazing organ that plays a crucial role in keeping us alive and well – and to spread the message that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable."

... and what better way for this kidney patient to promote awareness than by creating a contest?

Win something from me while winning some knowledge about your kidneys and how to keep them healthy.

Have you seen the news about "Airborne"?

"...The makers of 'Airborne'... will refund money to consumers who bought the product, as part of a $23.3 million class action settlement agreement [based on false advertising]..."

Did you know that if you're a chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure (ESRD) patient, you shouldn't be taking this stuff anyway? Wanna know why?*

Had my weekly (sometimes bi-weekly) visit with my Neph today. Also reviewed last Wednesday's and yesterday's blood work - SURPRISE! This week's labs were awesome...

... almost in a 'maybe I shouldn't celebrate just yet' sort of way. But, caution to the wind - I'm jumping for joy!

Ken started coughing night before last. By last night he looked miserable... today he slept until 3 PM.

Alek informed me after I picked him up from school today that he has a sore throat... "but I don't have a cold, Mommy, I'm fine".

Uh oh. Quick - Where's my CleanWell hand sanitizer?

The Six-Word Memoirs website is going viral. And, really, why shouldn't it?

I really didn't think the change in medication doses would make much of a difference in how I feel. So much for that idea...

... I've been riding non-stop waves of nausea for three days. Not fun.