Hello,
I'm nscappa (Nancy) and I read Colleen's reply to your post so I thought I would read your post. I am very sorry that you now have CKD3 after sharing your other kidney with your father, whom you obviously love very dearly. You did a very selfless thing and then to hear that you have CKD3 must have been devastating to you. I can only tell you a bit about my situation and maybe it will be of some help to you. I had CKD3 and I didn't know I had it. MY G.P. (whom I loved) neglected to mention it to me and I happened to see it on my paperwork some time later. I was shocked, what the heck is kidney disease stage 3??? I started looking up all that I could about it and, like you, I purchased books, cook books (that was a joke since I don't cook very much), etc. I did find this site which I just love, and DaVita (another great site with a lot of great information to help guide you. My last GFR was 49 which had gone up about 5 points. I am awaiting my next doctor's appt. on September 21 so I can finally get to see how I am doing. I have cut way back on salt, I'm eating so many veggies but I have to cook them. Bummer! I have been steaming broccoli (the tops) and they are yummy. I have been making zucchini, onions, and eggs for a great omelet. I have even sauteed eggplant by itself with a bit of salt. I roast red peppers (I love them), some cottage cheese but it does have quite a bit of salt. I eat fish (flounder, haddock, salmon), hamburg patties (maybe 2 times a week), bananas (minimum of 4 a week). I take potassium supplements so I don't have to worry too much about this. I do have toast every morning (my favorite) and I use Smart Balance instead of butter. For sweetener I use Stevia in the Raw which is one of the safest sweeteners out there. Sometimes I have some Ritz with coffee (I limit the amount of them). I have found an amazing frozen treat instead of ice cream (which I have no control over at all). It is called "Out Shine" which are bars like fudgsicles but they are very low in salt and sugar but they are very creamy and delicious. Do I sound like Martha Stewart??? I hope not. I am just wanting to share what I am doing to help stop the progress of my CKD3. Funny, my cousin Carolyn also has CKD3 and she has gone to a Nephrologist (I have not as yet). He told her to keep eating like she is, cut back on salt and drink water. Really??? Here I am watching protein, magnesium, phosphorous, etc., etc. I was shocked so now I'm not sure if I'm depriving myself or doing the right thing. I will admit that eating this way gets boring after a while and I do feel deprived. I would kill for Pizza or Chinese Food. I probably could have them occasionally but I am somewhat leery to. I do have to drink more water but sometimes I don't drink enough even though I love water. Go figure! I also need to start exercising much more than I have been. The weather here in Beverly, MA has been in the nineties with nice humidity : ( so I will start as soon as it gets cooler (I hope). Well, I am all talked out but I hope I have helped you in some way. You are getting mixed messages which really isn't fair. Your dietician should be a big help to you and if you get any exciting info from her please do share, I would really appreciate that. So, for now goodbye and keep in touch when you can. My best to you.
Nancy S. (nscappa)