@australia, Thank you for the smiles and the secrets to successful hospital stays. Hmmm, need to print out your tips and keep them handy…just in case. Luv the idea of new PJ's delivered…would beat the living dickens out of those string-tied jobbies!

Hi Fiesty 76 –well another hospital tip. Never show up empty handed. Stop and pick up a giant bag of fresh fruit –grapes/bananas are good. Food in hospitals is ???? Over cooked and under-loved. Always tip the cleaning lady and always chat up the tea lady –My tea lady had a Master degree from Mongolia University !! Like I said – hospitals are boring, one must be creative. !!Georgia from Australia

@australia, After this pandemic becomes tamed by science and wise people taking health and safety precautions, Consider publishing a book on "How To Survive A Hospital Visit"…It might become a best seller overnight! Smiles

Hi feisty 76 –You are way behind. My endo's secretary already requested a "Guide to RNSHosp. " but — hey! I got to use that hospital !! There is a rumor that is probably true — that when I get within 100 metres of a "certain hospital" an alarm goes off. I think Hamlet and I are noted for having given some deadly speeches at less than appropriate times. Once on the operating table !! Georgia/Australia

@veteran1950, Your post triggered a fond memory. I was a real "daddy's girl"; he would let me tag along for Sat morning grocery shopping…dble bonus for my mom…both his help with groceries and getting the little firecracker out of the house…smiles. When we'd get back home, it became our tradition to sit at the table and share a can of sardines with saltine crackers…Mom didn't participate and would leave the room because sardines were just not her "thing". She made up for that quirk though by being a wonderful dessert provider, Yay! P.S. I still buy and enjoy sardines, too.

I just found out about mashed potatoes which I love but do not eat. I googled a recipe for mashed cauliflour and wound up eating the entire healthy vegetable. It is very good. Suggest you give it a try using garlic. You won't be sorry.

@veteran1950 I've tried the mashed cauliflower too but getting as dry as necessary took awhile. Was tasty though. Smiles

@2011panc, I second @fiesty76's opinion. Your hospital tips are great! I'd like to encourage you to start a new discussion dedicated to that topic. That way all your tips would be in one place and other members could add theirs. Will you?

@kamama94, we haven't heard from you for a while. Last you posted you were dealing with shingles, a yeast infection and a worsening of the kidney. How are you doing?

It's nice to see the conversational meanderings have returned to food and healthy eating. Musings bring back memories of favorite foods and whether one indulges or not. Do you all find the quarantine harder to stay on a healthy kidney diet? Are people reaching for comfort foods more frequently?

@TonyHart87, Thank you for the thumbs up. More importantly, I too have been wondering about kamama94 and her long bout with the much added discomfort of shingles, yeast infection and also worsening of the her kidneys. Hope she'll chime in soon to update us on her health. She is one of our valiant kidney warriors so praying she is ok.

Tony, your profile mentioned that you work at MayoClinic. May I ask in what capacity? Anyone professionally connected with this outstanding medical system must be working exceptionally long hours and facing challenges that others of us can only begin to imagine. Stay safe and well and thank you for your post.

@TonyHart87 I find it easier to follow my kidney diet right now. I usually only go "into town" once every 10 days or so for groceries and errands, just like before. But now, I pack a snack and water, rather than stopping at a favorite restaurant for a meal, a "treat to me". I am careful about supplies purchased, and how they will fit into my proper diet.
Ginger

@TonyHart87 Hi, I'm still here, fighting ongoing yeast problems (partly from antibiotics, partly from diabetes, and post-herpetic pain that often goes off the scale. It's upended my life but am hoping it will get better a day at a time. Meanwhile, work on nutrition and recipes is at a standstill. Kidney function seems to have worsened, have a neph appointment and labs next week and won't be surprised if pre-dialysis vaascular surgery will happen sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, staying on healthy renal diet, not cheating (because I can have mashed potatoes with the new low-K baby potatoes delivered from my grocery store,) and remaining at home. Haven't had the focus or energy to post lately but I do read the posts.

Georgia/Australia – Hi 2011panc –Thank you for your interest but I kind of "live outside the block" as I have discovered from my "different" approach to illness. I think for "most' my approach and ideas would amount to "entertainment". I have already noted in my geriatric friends around me, that 'nobody" will do what I do.– I am starting Prof. David Sinclair's Age Reversal — to improve the making and repair of my existing cells. Now who is gonna wanna listen to that? Listen, maybe -Do, NO!!.–I noticed the highest number of replys here are about kidney diet ?? So?

@kamama94 So glad to hear from you!

Not dealing with anything near your daily challenges but just want to say that without the "warrior status" you've earned over time with your many helpful and encouraging posts to others dealing with kidney issues, that I am also finding it difficult to find energy to do more than just basic maintenance for my home and yard.

Sending you best wishes that your visit and labs go well next week. Please let us know how that goes and how you are doing. You have quite a following cheering you on you know! Hugs

@australia, I think we each have to determine what approach we will follow whenever starting a new management approach to chronic health conditions. My docs were much less concerned and helpful at my stage 3 ckd diagnosis than I would have liked. So, I did the research and joined the group here and developed my own regime of how to better manage and control this issue.

Others my age are totally disregarding virus guidlelines by the experts by continuing their lives much as before. I am older and vulnerable. I'm choosing to take those guidelines seriously. We each find our own way and make individual decisions accordingly. Best.

Georgia/Australia, Hi fiesty 76 — Was not mentioning David Sinclair to suggest anybody follow – just a comment in case anybody is.!! No, my comments are just "a possible way" to handle the specialists, hospital and antibiotic scene efficiently and quickly. Re Kidney failure –in 2018 in one hospital district I spent over 100 days in hospital,entering most often in emergency culminating in ureter stricture and gladder cancer (inoperable) and kidney decline. In no uncertain terms (on the operating table !!)I fired them all and moved. Hired entire new set of 4 as mentioned before all in one area. Spent 4 days in hospital in 2019 – ureter stent out, cancer gone, kidneys back to near my normal. And as mentioned the ID cut the UTI's. That's keeping your eye on the ball. It is very hard work. But it gets results. And as I said, lying flat on your back in the hospital and playing the stock market pays the bills !!!