High School Reunion

Yes! It was my 30 year high school reunion. Amazing. What a time was had by all. Hi Denny!

We don't look so old yet. Maureen has a really fun photo album on snapfish. It is so cool. I laughed like crazy. I'm sorry not everyone came. It was a bit pricey for us poor folk. $45.00 and open bar. Sadly,I don't drink.

We should of invited a teacher or two. Earl impressed me. He's cool beans. Bob Burkes is starting to look just like his dad. Heather Armstrong looked great. Buzzy wasn't feeling any pain. Pat Angiolelli is the Mafia's bodyguard. The twinny's were twinzy as usual.

Mrs.Willet cooked the food in her skillet.We really are great and we really are still fine. We are the class of '79.

Love you guys,Jodi

It's The Climb

Hello my friends. I heard a great song today that had really good words.

There is always gonna be a mountain, you're gonna wanna move. It doesn't matter what's on the other side. What matters is...the climb.

We must keep climbing, keep pushing, and keeping the faith.

You can do it, Jodi

Arm Updates

Hello my dialysis friends and other loved ones. We all have to deal with our grafts, fistulas and catheters which enable us to be hooked to the machine. We have to have them, there is no other way. Mine is giving me trouble and I must go in to have it looked at. They will do the balloon and pop it open. I have a narrow spot at the top that likes to collapse sometimes. I can still have my treatment, but it is very uncomfortable during the run. It aches really bad sorta like a toothache. Next Friday I have an appointment to take care of my arm. To get through this coming week they will stay on one side of my graft and avoid the sore side.

We are lucky they can do this stuff now. It wasn't that easy in the past, believe me.If you want to see some crazy stuff type in the word dialysis and go on a museum tour of the first dialysis machines.Amazing. we've come a long, long way baby.Thank God for the pioneers that have brought us where we are today. What smart people they were. Good for them and us.

I will keep you posted on my arm. In the meantime take care of yours and have a great weekend. Listen to your heart, it's always right.

a hundred hugs and a thousand kisses, Jodi

Dialysis and exercise

Hello my friends,

As you know I have been a dialysis patient for a very long time. I stopped counting. Anyhoo, the message I want to share with you today is about exercise. I have never been Miss Buff. I've got "padding" in places. I will never wear a bikini...as long as I live.Whatever.

What I try to do everyday is exercise. Not a lot....but a little, believe me, goes a long way. It is The Fountain of Youth.

Stretch everyday for 5 minutes every morning and night. Do a brisk walk daily for at least 20 minutes. Use hand weights 3 times a week to work those muscles. Do other things for fun. Ride a bike, play badmitten, croquet, horseshoes or frisbee. Swimming is a great sport, as well as tennis. Go slowly and do it at your own pace.

I believe in the Curves program and all fitness gyms. Sign up today. You only stand to benefit from them.

Believe me I know how easy it is to want to plop down on the sofa and stay there forever, especially after a treatment. That is not the way to go. Get moving and do a little at a time. Over time you will get stronger and stronger. Your doctors will be amazed and so will you.

Your body was designed to stand upright and propel forward. Just do it. I know you can do it.

Always remember that I love love love....YOU!
Jodi

Family

Hello my friends,

They say that blood is thicker than water and the older I get the more I believe that statement. I just spent this past weekend with family, and it was great. Even though we are all very different, there is an invisible bond that connects us, and it is made of 100% love.

My Ohio cousins are all so cool. Hi everybody. Hey Ian and Riley!!! My aunts and uncles are still so so funny. Uncle Jimmy is too much. He always tells me he loves me and I say, "no you don't." This cracks him up.

There is nothing like family. Kin is a good thing to have. Keep them close. You never know when you may need a place to lay your head, a few bucks, or a kidney.

A hundred hugs, and a thousand kisses, Jodi

smell the flowers

Let me share a touching story with you. A few years ago, my friends, I was having some blood problems. My white cell count was unusually high without explanation. The doctor thought it would be a good idea to have a bone marrow test. I had to go to Pittsburgh to a very nice Cancer clinic. Everybody was top shelf. I was the only one in the waiting room who had hair. All the patients that were there were so brave and beautiful. All of them wore big, happy smiles on their faces. The gals had colorful scarves on their heads. The fellas had on ball caps or nothing at all. Everybody talked and laughed. It was a pleasant and peaceful place, and I will never forget it.

Because I was having trouble finding my way around Pittsburgh a really nice and very cute guy who was a Cancer patient helped me with directions. He was so nice.I think about him alot. He was completely bald, and very sexy.

They took us back to our exam rooms at the same time so I knew he was next door to me. It is so easy to hear through those walls. His doctor came in and I knew it wasn't a good report. The doctor was short on words. My new friend was brave and he really wanted to make it easy for the doctor I think. He said,"just give it to me straight Doc, I really need to know what I got." There was a long pause. A really long pause, and then I heard the doctor softly say to my buddy, "all I can say at this point is....take time to smell the flowers."

I have to sign out now because at this point in the story I loose it.Take time to smell the flowers. Love you, Jodi

Feeling Lucky

Hello Friends,

I got sick when I was 19.
Started dialysis at 21.
Had 4 kidney transplants.
None of them worked.
Tried CAPD. Didn't work.
Stayed on dialysis. 27 years.
Finished school. Got my degree.
Bought a business.Going good.
Growing older. 48 years.
I'm feeling lucky...PUNK!

My Business Partner

Hello My Friends
I hope this beautiful Monday morning finds you refreshed and ready to go for another week. They say life is short. Like smoke through a keyhole. Is it really? Life is long for those who struggle. Life is long for those who are sick or depressed. Life is long for those who worry and are afraid. My friends, I have good news for you.

Tears endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. There is a big mighty God that lives inside of each and every one of us. I need to tell you that you are not alone, and your Father God is bragging about you. You are the favorite son, the apple of his eye, Cinderella. He thinks you hung the moon, even when he knows he did it!

My friends, listen to me. God our mighty Father and creator knitted you together in you mother's womb, he counted the hairs on you head, and he carved your name in the palm of his almighty hand. He is Lord of Lord and King of Kings, and he is your Father. You are a child of the most high God. You are royalty.

Courage is fear that has said it's prayers. The Lord is my shepherd, and my business partner. I don't meet with anyone until I meet with God first. Healing comes in many forms my friends. When Jesus shed his blood for us, he placed us in the palm of his sweet and gentle hand. God our Father put his almighty hand over the top and sealed us inside this mighty unbreakable protective pod...forever to carry us...to never leave us or drop us...always in his hand and in his heart...a love that is boundless and cannot be broken.

May the peace of the Lord be with always, your friend, Jodi

Careful Eating For The Summer

Hello my dialysis friends. Of course you Know that June is the official start of summer. Garden tomatoes, fresh homegrown corn, melons, berries picked right off the bush, rhubarb pie, homemade ice cream, french fries from the fair drenched in salt and vinegar, icy slush balls or slush puppies, pig roasts with lots of ice cold beer and baked barbecued beans. There are so many things to enjoy in the summertime with all the outdoor fun and the foods that go with that.

It is still okay to enjoy all of these wonderful things. That is what life is all about. However, everything in moderation. In other words, DON'T MAKE A PIG OF YOURSELF. It is okay to have a hotdog at a cookout. Be mindful of what you are eating and be wary of portion sizes and take into account all the things you will be eating that day. Make adjustments where necessary. Not just diabetics and dialysis patients have to watch what they eat, EVERYBODY has to watch what they eat. YOU are not alone.

Small tastes of things can be very satisfying. Many times I have taken a small bite and realized I didn't even like it or want it. Making a plate of your favorites in small portions, adding a nonsugary drink-unsweetened iced tea is my favorite. Sugary drinks will make you thirstier and thirstier. Then enjoy a nice dessert. A piece of cake, slice of watermelon or maybe some jello salad or peach cobbler. There are so many ways to still have a great time and feel great.

Don't forget to play some horseshoes or frisbee. Take a little walk or go swimming. Wear your sunscreen or a nice big brimmed hat. Play with the dog and have a ball. Love and enjoy your family and friends. Tell some old funny jokes or stories that everybody will be sure to laugh at. These are the days of summer my friend.I love nothing more than sitting outside on a warm humid night on a swing with a glass of lemonade or iced tea...sipping....swinging....and starring at the beautiful stars our mighty God was good enough to place there for our pleasure.

Enjoy this fine month of June. Be careful eat well and healthy. Live big. Love alot.
And always know, I love you. Your friend, Jodi