Wise Words

Treat your visitors like family, and your family like visitors.


You're out of shape if your knees buckle, and your belt doesn't.


To make light of your age, use more candles on your birthday cake.


When in deep water, keep your mouth shut.


Those who stay youthful, stay useful.

Early Bird

"The early bird gets the worm...but the second mouse gets the cheese."


Think about it. Love Ya, Jodi

My Fears

Hello my friends,
Let my tell you what I'm most afraid of other than tornadoes,drug addicts,and bears. Since the tender age of 19, I've lived under a cloud of death. I struggle daily to survive. I'm a fighter, and I never give up. My fear is the fight. What is coming next? What is the next battle, will I be the Victor? Will the doctors be able to pull me through the next catastrophie?
My fears have more to do with living than dying. They say living is hard, and dying is easy.I believe this, because I know how tough it has been and how easy it is to throw in the towel. As I continue to grow older, I don't bounce back as quickly as I did in my 20's and 30's.
I have vowed to push myself as much as I can, and as long as I do, I'm going to have to put up a brave front and a good fight. I'm not looking forward to it but,I want to go on.
The bible says everyone dies once. It also says being absent from the body is being present in the Lord.
A thousand kisses, Jodi

ABC'S of Life

Accept differences
Be kind
Count your blessings
Dream
Express thanks
Forgive
Give freely
Harm no one
Imagine more
Jettison anger
Keep confidences
Love truly
Master something
Nurture hope
Open your mind
Pack lightly
Quell rumors
Reciprocate
Seek wisdom
Touch hearts
Understand
Value truth
Win graciously
Xeriscape
Yearn for peace
Zealously support a worthy cause

Maranda

Hello my friends,
Let my tell you about a very special person in my life. Her name is Maranda. She is a beautiful 24 year old with alot on the ball. She's my niece, and I love her tons.
When she was born I thought she was the most gorgeous baby that ever lived. Of course, I still think that. She has accomplished so much in her young life. She is not afraid to try anything. We almost died when she told us she was going to Africa to help people. She is very brave. She also went south to help the hurricane people. In college she was very active. Now she lives on her own, in a big beautiful apartment in Pittsburgh. She has a good job she likes.
When I got sick, I didn't know what was going on. I was out of it. Maranda became my club manager and took it upon herself to do everything including handling my personal affairs. While living in Pittsburgh, she ran the club like a well oiled machine. She did it all. Without her for seven months, I would have had to close up.Because the club was so well maintained, I was able to find a buyer. I knew everything was in good hands, so I wasn't that stressed out.
I felt bad that of all the family I probably burdened her the most. All the hours, all the headaches, all the work. How can I ever thank her or make it up to her. She's never complained to me.
I consider myself blessed. I'm surrounded by people who love me. Maranda has shown so many wonderful sides of herself during my troubles. Strength, incredible intelligence, patience, and bravery just to name a few. I'm grateful I had her to lean on. I really, really needed her. I love her so much, and I am so proud of the woman she has become...my niece, Maranda.

Thank You

Thank you Marilyn for.....
always coming to the hospital
bringing food,pillows, and toiletries
for taking me out of the manor, and getting cut-my hair
thank you for working at Curves, and handling all the crap that went with it
thanks for welcoming me to your home where I stunk up the bathroom daily,dribbled on the floor,messed on the sheets, and threw up all night.
Thanks for teaching me how to change my bags, hooking me up with Faith, and washing my clothes, and changing my bed in the middle of the night.
Thanks for showering me and washing my hair, and feeding me with stuff I like.
Thanks for Donnie driving me every morning EARLY.Thanks for Maranda running her butt off at the club, and keeping it nice and organized for me.
Thank you Marilyn for cleaning my apartment that was over run with mouse poop.Donnie,
thanks for driving out to Volant all the time to get my mail.
Marilyn, I really want to thank you for pushing me to get my act together,and care about myself. I was depressed and lazy. Getting back to work turned my life around.
Marilyn you are an angel and a God send in my hours of need. No one else would have put up with all the baggage I brought.Thanks for the groceries,my cute tops and my granny panties. Thanks for always being there to talk and call the doctor, and put cream on my butt. There is so much more. I never would have made it without the support of you and your family and Gizmo, my love.
I thank you with all my heart,I love you with all my heart, I miss you with all my heart. Jodi

Watch Your Salt

Hello my friends,

Salt, salty, salty, salt. Who doesn't love salt. Who doesn't love to smother their

"Mickey D" french fries in salt. Who doesn't love a salty sausage sandwich from the

fair. How about a hotdog? Do you like those big salty,soft pretzels? Meat lovers pizza?

Pepperoni.

We are a nation of saltaholics. We love our salt. As a dialysis patient, I

learned that salt makes me thirsty, and makes my blood pressure go up. Not good. All

I can say is good luck in your battle with salt. Know the trouble it can cause, and

do the best you can. If you stop eating salty foods, your thirst will go away.

Hang in there, your friend, Jodi

Follow The Rules

Hello my friends,

You will do very well on dialysis IF you follow the rules.

1. Never skip or shorten your treatments.
2. Don't over drink or over eat.
3. Limit high potassium foods.
4. Control your phosperous.
5. Take special care of your access.
6. Eat protein.
7. Exercise.
8. Rest up when needed.
9. Avoid infection, wash hands often.
10. Take an active role in your care, and see the doctor regularly.
11. Be thankful.

A thousand kisses, Jodi