This and That and Talk - My Transplant

@rosemarya

Isn't that a nice thing, Rosemary? Can't have enough caregivers!

Teresa

@rosemarya

Sounds like a very elite crowd you are in!

Teresa

It's a holiday week and I'm wondering if anyone has concerns about anything. What concerns you as you prepare for a holiday? Are there favorite traditions that you no longer feel able to continue or participate?

I used to host up to 30 people for holidays. Circumstances change and that is no more. Families have grown, in-laws added, babies born, etc. I cannot manage the level of work required to host at my previous level, and my husband often works the holiday. Joining someone else's holiday can be dicey because of my diet(s), but I usually can find something to eat. Our traditions have changed, but that's okay. We have changed also. This year I am pouting because my husband agreed to make sausage on Thanksgiving Day. I still believe that day should be saved for family and fun. I understand a sausage party can be fun for some people, but you have to admit that it is a lot of work; and I, for one, cannot participate. I'll do something, I just haven't decided for sure yet.

@2011panc,
Yes! I also have concerns that involve visiting and foods. And they seem to become more prominent during holiday season.

I dread the 'open house' invites and buffets. My husband supports me in avoiding them. It works well for us because he is not very social or a talker and he would rather stay home with a book. Me, on the other hand, I like the opportunity to get out - dress-up, visit etc.
Our own holiday traditions have changed significantly as the kids grow up and move away. And that, too, is sometimes hard.
I used to host a neighborhood holiday get together, but I am not comfortable doing that anymore. I mean, I could control the food, but not the coughs or colds that would be eager to arrive with my friends. I miss that kind of thing - but I remind myself that I am being proactive to remain healthy - plus there is no cleaning up and prep to stress over!
I am not familiar with a sausage party. But it sounds like something you don't want or need to participate in. I hope you can create an alternate activity that is special to you.
Rosemary

Yes I too can struggle with food during holidays, pot luck ECT. Struggles are less than they used to be as low oxalate diet has become a solid life style change. Making thanksgiving dinner again this year, Half the food I make I can't eat but my family can so I make it for them. It sure is a blessing to hear the stories of others who also have had to make difficult life style changes. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories

@mklapperich, I am so glad that you have connected with us here on Connect! And especially happy that you and @2011panc have met each other!
I think that we all can learn a lot from each other and support each other in many ways. Even with our wide variety of health conditions, we share one common goal - to advocate for our own health and to take care of ourselves!

I'm getting by easy tomorrow-just cooking for my husband and myself. We were all together last weekend for a wedding, so our kids are going elsewhere this Thanksgiving.

How does it make you feel when you have to cook things or be around things that you cannot eat? Do you have any helpful hints to share?
Rosemary

It's ok now, less of a struggle as I have accepted that I eat according to my diet or else I can look forward to dialysis someday which I want to avoid at all costs. The diet has kept my disease from progressing. Acceptance has been the key for me and continued perseverance in following diet and cooking different. Often when going somewhere there will be food I just bring my own or eat what is allowed on diet. I try not to go off the deep end eating food I shouldn't have because it is agonizing getting back on the diet. Tomorrow will be fine, I have no appetite as I am not feeling well. @2011panc your diet is even more restrictive than mine I can't even imagine. But hearing all of you makes me feel like I am not the only one in the world doing this. Thank you all. Happy Thanksgiving.

@rosemarya I questioned what mine was because it did not have the line going up. Turns out it’s a chevron, not a Mercedes! I told my surgeon I was crushed, this was my only chance to ever have a Mercedes. He of course chuckled. I googled the incision and it’s basically almost always simply a case of some surgeons prefer one over the other. I guess occasionally there are reasons but generally there are not.
JK

@mklapperich @rosemarya I too often prepare food for all but I generally just leave out the salt and then I can eat it. Of course I do prepare sweets that I can not really eat since I am mildly diabetic (with my A1c the nurse that did my pre-registration prior to my hospital admission for my knee said, What? That’s not diabetic!) but I do watch it carefully so will only have a small taste of sweets, I sort of figure my diet is healthy so I’m doing others a favor by giving them a healthy diet too! I do turn opportunities to eat out. My very soon to be son-in-law wants to take us out for Chinese food on Friday night but hot only is that too salty for me, but due to the pain in my leg I am not really ready to sit at a table through a restaurant meal. At home I eat my meals sitting horizontally on a sofa with my legs up. I thought the end of the pain might be in sight but then I had a horrible day yesterday. This is really getting old.
JK

JK @contentandwell

It sounds like you are making a good choice to avoid the Chinese food! I'm sorry to hear that your pain is still so bothersome. I too thought that the end might be in sight. When do you see the doctor again?

Teresa