Looking Ahead

Posted on September 24, 2020 by dfolstad58

My dear wife, Susan, has been with me in my health battles all the way through. Two years ago, when I was too sick to continue without dialysis, she was there to help me resume dialysis after 31 years without further delay.

I had been delaying, and to the risk of my life, nearly too long.

I stalled because once I succumbed to beginning dialysis – my transplant function would further collapse, however at that point in 2018 it made no difference – it was almost nothing already and the plus 15 pounds of fluid in my lungs and tissue were at risk of causing a heart event of some type. I had been sleeping sitting up for months because breathing was a problem.

This is what my wife posted in September 2018 on her Facebook page:

Today was a difficult day as Dave started hemodialysis. It wasn’t planned for today but was planned soon.

It became necessary as his GFR was at 6 and his body was failing him. Normal GFR is above 60.

Although we’ve been through this a long time ago, it was still heart wrenching.

The two hour dialysis took 2.3 litres of fluid off his body today. Tomorrow he will be there three hours and they will take 3 litres off.

Then on Saturday four hours of dialysis. Four hours of dialysis three times a week will be his new normal. In all 10 litres of fluid needs to come off his body.

We are hoping and praying he gets on the transplant list in October. From August on Dave has been struggling to live as his body has been failing him.

It occurred to me that his body was killing him a little more every day. We also hold on to the hope of better days ahead. There were tears today of letting go and giving in but not giving up.

We’re both just tired today. Dialysis will keep Dave alive while we wait for a transplant to go ahead. Please keep Dave in your prayers.

Canada has a low rate of organ donation and I hope by sharing this that it raises awareness. Dave has lived over 30 years on one kidney.

If a living donor donates a kidney in a paired exchange and they ever get sick they immediately rise to the top of the transplant list because of their donation.

You are welcome to please share this post to raise awareness.–

The two year anniversary of my first dialysis treatment in 30 plus years was a few days ago,

but I struggled deciding on whether I should write a post. I decided to post this remembrance because I wanted to recognize what happened after she posted.

Amazingly to me – my wife’s social media post resulted in more than a hundred messages of encouragement -that was super inspiring.

Secondly, it lead to us deciding to have party inviting friends for my birthday. We needed to celebrate something positive.

I could not eat or drink hardly anything at the party because of my dialysis, but I was stuffed by the warmth of the love in action. Friends I hadn’t seen in person in years came to celebrate, travelling hundreds of miles. They shared kind memories, they came to look me in the eyes.

That is the reason for the post today.

I want to emphasize how my friends gave me strength and hope a few weeks after return to dialysis three days a week. Letting go of a kidney transplant after 31 years and a prospect of a diminished life span was all I had to look forward to along with the daily challenges of life of dialysis.

But they came and we celebrated my birthday together, and it helped me to be positive.

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It strikes me that in the lives of people who read this that everyone has trials, rough road to travel in their lives.

It could be health related, relationship related, it could be work or zillion other things.

What is important is that how I react when I see someone hurting.

My friends responded wonderfully. They responded in action, a special few of them took the effort to learn what dialysis meant. Some came to the hospital and sat with me for one of my thrice weekly four hour treatments. They watched the needles being inserted and taped up for the duration. We visited while my blood was pumped around and around through the filters and the toxins were pulled out.

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I hope that when I see my friends, cousins, nieces, nephews, in need of support that I will be there. It makes a difference to act.

Two years ago October 2018 when family and friends rallied with love

It made a difference to me two years ago and now looking back, I see it helped me to look ahead.

Two years ago, my wife wrote and my friends acted, and I am still grateful.

Thanks for reading – David

PS – I was able to get a new kidney transplant, April 24, 2019. It’s a miraculous story – I write about it in the Health category here. I am still celebrating ! ♥♥♥

https://dfolstad58.wordpress.com/2019/08/17/how-has-my-life-changed/

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Stuck Inside or Who’s Cheating? – Part Dos

Posted on September 15, 2020 by dfolstad58

Welcome to Life and Random Thinking, Part Two of “Stuck Inside or Who’s Cheating” post.

– David

Africa on guard

I enjoy riding my ebike.

I have had one for a few years now and it still amazes me when someone says to me (and usually when I am pedalling up a steep hill) – “that’s cheating you know”

I have never, never ever, waived a passing car down when I am walking; then when it comes to a stop beside me – Hey you know that’s cheating“

It’s still exercise – I am pedaling ♥, not a motorcycle.

Looking down from the tunnel – way down there at the far end is Penticton, this is from Naramata and opposite from Summerland. Downhill basically all the way home, wahoo

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At least half the bikes out there have 18 gears,

no one seemed to think that was cheating, or the bikes the expensive bikes that are made helium and titanium.

Haven’t bikes always been just an improvement on walking?

It seems to me that the huge increase of e-bikes means a number of positive things. Cars are being replaced by bikes, and hills that used to be an obstacle are now eliminated!

Transportation is all about moving, and cyclists look happier than the people I see bumper to bumper. Just sayin’

A dozen bikes can be parked in one car spot! Plus the health benefits !

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In my Opinion

I think Cities would be wise to act now to motivate riders by providing bike lanes and safe bike parking.

Bikes and cycling are a solution.

From DC to Chicago to Portland, the story is the same: people go out of their
way to use protected bike lanes.

By creating clear delineation between auto and bike traffic, protected bike lanes get more people in the saddle — burning calories, clearing minds, and strengthening hearts and lungs.

As companies scramble to lower health care costs, employees who benefit from the gentle exercise of pedaling to work help boost overall
hourly productivity and cut bills.

How 21st Century Transportation Networks Help New Urban Economies Boom

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Afew days ago I rode a bit longer and farther than I usually do. It was almost 48 kilometre ride. Wow, and it was beautiful.

This little youtube shows the location, the Little Tunnel in Naramata. I chose this video because it is short and of course, the view. -it’s 1:40 in length.

Fun times at the Little Tunnel in Naramata

I will add some pictures below in case you don’t like youtube. ♥ – David

I rode from home in Penticton up to the little tunnel in Naramata; about 25 km each way. It is on the old Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) line which is now a walking/cycling path.

What was so cool to me that ride was to see all the people with big smiles on their faces. Some walking, but most on bikes. I was one of those people, a beatific smile on my grizzled features – looking down on Okanagan lake from a view like an airplane.

♥ I saw this wonderful “seasoned in life” lady with a huge grin on her ebike on that ride – she clearly loved “cheating!”

She was loving her day, the wide-open skies and the long uphill ride to the tunnel was clearly not an obstacle to her. ♥

Thank you for showing an interest in my post today, your comments are welcome, suggestions also😊 . – Take care my friends. – David.

Well, the rain exploded with a mighty crash
As we fell into the sun,
And the first one said to the second one there
I hope you're having fun.

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Stuck Inside or Who’s Cheating? – Part 1

Posted on September 14, 2020 by dfolstad58

Welcome to my blog, Life and Random Thinking.

I truly appreciate your visit, Thank You ! – David

Africa is keeping an eye on me!

Who will know the name of the song and band from today’s lyrics?

The air quality in the Okanagan Valley where I live “sucks“! It is 11+ on the air quality index and when you check what that means all the instructions translate to mean “Don’t !”

Don’t breathe, don’t go outside, don’t open your windows, and don’t inhale.

My thoughts are with the people in Washington, Oregon and California and many other border states who are dealing with this fire emergency. Fires are raging out of control in numerous locations.

I am proud of the firefighters from Canada, from as far away as Quebec, who have gone down to support our American friends.

Be safe ♥

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Stuck inside these four walls,
Sent inside forever,
Never seeing no one
Nice again like you,
Mama you, mama you.

If I ever get out of here,
Thought of giving it all away
To a registered charity.
All I need is a pint a day
If I ever get outta here
If we ever get outta of here

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End of Part 1 –

I decided to shorten this post and make it two parts, I hope you come back for part dos ! – David 👍

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Awoken to smoke today, glowing at night a few nights ago

Posted on September 8, 2020 by dfolstad58

Thank you for visiting my blog today, Life and Random Thinking, is a blog about happenings in my Okanagan region and other musings that I hope you will find interesting.

California fire 2020

Today I watched the news of the fires in California

with additional empathy. Normally I can see the valley walls and miles down either of the lakes that are the head and feet of my city, Penticton.

This morning there is smoke akin to fog that has reduced visibility to two blocks here in Penticton, and a campfire taste to each outdoor breath.

Forest fires have sprung up in each direction and yet last night it was clear and fresh draughts of air when I went for a bike ride.

I am praying for a quick end to the smoke filled days

and a return to the fresh air I normally enjoy, and my heart reaches out to the uncountable number of people in California, many of whom are dealing with much worse.

So awful, and sad for these folks. In my thoughts.

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On a happier note,

For years I have wanted my dear wife to try stand-up paddleboarding at night! My wife, Susan, loves paddleboarding but until this year she has not tried paddleboarding at night.

Now she has, and she loved it, and so did I !

Four of us went together, I and my dear wife plus my daughter and her husband. Of course different paddleboards LOL, and my words are probably going to be unable to explain the experience.

Skaha Lake which is a short walk from home, has a business that does GLOW paddleboarding, which is led lighting which creates a beautiful glow illuminating the board.

We all had life jackets on, and multi-coloured glow sticks on our wrists, ankles, paddles etc so it was much like the Disney Electrical parade! –

Since it was dark, the boards seemed to float, and the lake was so calm – very relaxing as a cool breeze swept over us.

Unexpectedly I was able to spy 18 inch long fish lazing below me as I ghosted along in the changing red, green, blue and gold lights.

Thanks Gang at Skaha Lake’s Glow Sup Adventures !

Ten of us in silence on the lake, just cruising along in very companionable ambience.

I found a youtuber who has done this, so you can see what it was like, a video being worth a million words approximately, fortunately its a short video. Click here.

To learn more – Glow SUP Adventures

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Thanks so much for dropping by, and having an interest in my blog – I look forward to chatting with you in the comments. – David

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Blue skies, no smoke and the rain is gone.

Posted on August 31, 2020 by dfolstad58

I walked today along the south end of Penticton, along beautiful Skaha Lake. The lake was calm, and the skies were silent, absent was the sights and sounds of helicopters water bombing Christie Mountain.

Peace reigned, and I was grateful for the small rain storm last night that put the final kabosh on the smouldering remains of the fire.

Welcome to “Life and Random Thinking” today on August 31, 2020. – David

Africa (the cat above) and I are glad you are visiting. 🙂

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As I walked along the beach walk

I was thinking about how so many families on the west side of the valley have lived with their minds on edge.

Hundreds of families given evacuation alerts, and an unknown amount actually packing up special items and living with friends for the duration.

Friends of mine who live on the valley’s westside, report the helicopters flying over their home, the vibrating air every six minutes as the copters flew overhead back on forth to protect their homes and families.

They said the copters flew a mere”chip shot with 5 iron” over their home! 

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day - Johnny Nash "I can see Clearly Now"

We sometimes have heavy rain here,

the kind of storm where the rain bounces back up.  Those storms are kind of my favourite, although intimidating, they tend to be shorter in length, and I know rainbows (sometimes more than one) are not far ahead.

Those heavy short-in-length storms are also easier to wait out, if caught out in one, I can even enjoy it under the canopy of a nice evergreen and the air smells so fresh. 

I think I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day - Johnny Nash "I can see Clearly Now"

The hardest storms to endure are the ones that are unpredictable in length. Even though I know a storm will eventually pass, and the sun will shine again without a doubt, I wish I could control the storm.

Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies

- Johnny Nash "I can see Clearly Now"

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I read the blog of a 20 year old young woman today,

and she has had a tough journey healthwise since a young age. It was inspiring to read how she managed through it all, and now is sharing her journey.

I imagine that her storm felt like it would never end some days. Today for her the rain storms still come but she knows that the sun is still there, above the clouds.

At a young age, the pain seemed endless but now she knows the clouds will pass. She can ” look straight ahead and see the BLUE skies”.

Click here to visit her post called “Kiara is Growing”.

I am grateful she shared her story and visited my blog (so I found her) because it is a reminder for me, change is the only constant, and we can’t predict the weather, but we know it will change.

Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window. – Peter Drucker

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On Alert – An Update after the wind storm

Posted on August 22, 2020 by dfolstad58

Welcome back to “Life and Random Thinking,” I appreciate your visit.

In my previous post “On Alert” I shared the apprehension the whole city of Penticton was feeling as we faced the 70 kilometre winds blowing from the south on Friday. No one knew what to expect.

Friday was a blustery day, and the crews were working hard all day Thursday, overnight and on Friday hoping to contain the Christie Mountain Fire.

The fire was already 2000 hectares (10,000 square metres or 2.47 acres) Thursday night. Friday I rode my bike down to Skaha Lake, not far, and watched the Sikorsky helicopters hard at work. The fire was so close to the lake, the Sikorsky’s were like bees buzzing back and from the lake to the nearby fire. I was able to the Sikorsky’s close up, and from underneath. A hose and snorkel to pump water hangs below the huge helicopter; this hose fills the hold – up to 9,500 litres of water (or fire retardant).

Also smaller helicopters and air tankers were busy, I suspect all other air traffic at Penticton airport was cancelled.

At the beach the chopping of the heavy blades were right overhead, and I felt spray from the copter land on me as it flew overhead to its target. The wind was so heavy, sand was being blown off the beach and pelting my legs.

A day I won’t forget.

Saturday dawned, and I was anxious for an update. I felt relieved looking at Christie mountain not to see the heavy dark clouds of Tuesday, and the candling for trees as they burst into flame. Instead there is white smoke, and a sense of relief.

On Friday, here is the report I received.

The BC Wildfire Service said while wind gusts from the south did buffet the blaze, fire activity did not significantly increase.

On Saturday afternoon, BC Wildfire estimated the fire’s size to be at 2,035 hectares.

Further, BC Wildfire said approximately one millimeter of rain fell on the fire Friday.

“We were very fortunate yesterday with the wind event,” said Penticton fire chief Larry Watkinson. “Although it was quite vigorous, above Penticton and on the hillsides, it was very soft on the fire.

The factors that helped prevent the fire’s spread were:

The combined work of ground of air crews slowing the growth.

The fire was running into a former 1994 fire, so not as much forest fuel was available, which helped taking the “steam” out of it.

We didn’t see a lot of expansion. A lot of work was done to keep areas wet, and that crews didn’t see any ignitions from ember transplants or ash-fly, or “any real damage to structures at all.

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This post isn’t cooperating at all, WordPress is using a new editor, and I am having a hard time here. Arrgh ! 🙂

I will try to add some photos I took yesterday. – David

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